tkfury

I've had my 5g ready for awhile now but just finally made it out to pick up my first betta. I know the fish are taken care of when my friends are working so I wasn't afraid to ask them to pick one out for me - I'd be coming home pennyless after buying tanks I don't have room for. She's active but everytime I put my hand against the side of the cup she'd come over and just kind huddle against the side - car ride took longer than usual so she probably got a little cold

Well she's in her 5g and still checking things out. Everything looks good from what I can tell but I'm a little worried that the filter flow is too strong. I have the 5g mini-bow version of http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...85&pcatid=9885 and using the filter that came with it, Whisper I think. When she comes out she just moves sideways with the flow before it takes her to the back and she starts exploring again. How can you tell if it is infact too strong? If it is what else can I get, maybe those sponge filters?

Barbrella

I have 3 of those very tanks, and the filter flow is too strong for most bettas. There is a little slider at the bottom of the tank that you can use to turn it down, but even then I just add an extra piece of filter floss at the top of the filter. I attach with an elastic band and it really disperses the flow very well. I'll add a pic later to show you how I do it.


More importantly - did you cycle this tank before the betta in? If you didn't, you're going to have problems.

tkfury

I started coming to the site before I attempted my first tank so I know to make sure I cycle ^_~

I put the cup she came in in there to try and give her someplace to stay up front - she swam right into it the moment I put it in so I think its working for now? I'll try and get my hands on some floss, hoepfully it does the trick because she really is beautiful - at least I think she's a she o_0 Her coloring has me wondering heh. Thank you very much.

LuvaBetta

Part of the reason bettas don't like the filter flow is they've never had room to stretch their swimming muscles. Tone down the flow, and I'll bet you'll find her swimming in it deliberately, because the exercise feels good!

Also you can't tell the sex of a betta by the color, it's all about the fin length with Betta sp. (Other species of betta have shorter fins.)

tkfury

I don't have any way to tone down the flow right now. I tried the slider that Barbrella said but there wasn't any differance. I've been checking on her just about every hour now and she comes out everytime I get near, she's out front more but when she is she sticks close to the cup.

She does have the shorter fins but I couldn't recall seeing any females with her coloring so I wasn't sure. Looking through the betta pictures in the forum though I see now. She's a nice blue with some purple and green so I'm trying to figure out the best name for her.

COBettaCouple

Congrats on your new baby girl.

If that filter is like the one in the 2.5g tanks, it should have a slider on the back to adjust the flow. You can start it out around the middle and let her build up fin strength. You'll find that your girl will build up strength to easily swim into it at full strength in time.

Barbrella

Stuff an extra piece of filter floss into the opening on top of the filter and let it overhang slightly.

This will help disperse the water, but will not harm the filter function.

tkfury

As horrible as it sounds I guess I wasn't trying to move the right thing on the filter, I guess mine has two sliders? Pushed it down and the plants near the filter still sway a bit but she doesn't have to chase her food around the tank now. I'll still be getting the floss, thank you ^^

Everytime I turned the camera off she came up to the font and just swam in place, I swear she's already worse than my cats are when they know I want to get some pictures but I tried anyways. The first I had just moved the stand so I can see the tank better from bed and almost look like I caught her off guard since I can see when she's hiding by the filter now ^_~ The second she was just going down to investigate the food outside the tank - she already knows what the containers are o_0

Attached Images

	betta01.jpg (28.8 KB, 4 views)
	betta02.jpg (17.0 KB, 4 views)

COBettaCouple

They love to have fun with us and cameras.

Drea

Even though it was not easy to get pics, you can still tell that she's a beauty. Yea, those Bettas sure know about the food containers, my Deuce that I've had since the 11th, already knows when the lid goes up...here comes food!
Keep trying to get pics