David C

I know, I know... i shoulda thought this out sooner. I went to clean the gravel in my divided bookshelf tank with my siphon vac and its just too big to get in there so i did a water change with a styrofoam cup (thanks for the idea CWC) but i wasnt able to gravel vac and that's not a good habit to get into. SO...... how do you do it?

2nd question: One of my bettas doesnt eat very much, he just takes it into his mouth and "chews" on it for up to 45sec and then spits it out. he only keeps 1 pellet down at each feeding twice a day, but he'll eat blood worms just fine. so should i buy different food or just give him a few days to get used to this brand. the other betta loves the pellets so i dont know. in case it matters, all water parameters are 0 ammo 0nitrite and 5nitrate temp is 80*

Thanks for the help, just trying to be a good betta daddy

Lucy

Good morning David I use a turkey baster. It was recommended by someone here on the forum and it works great.

Have you tried soaking the pellet in tank water or garlic juice (which is good for their immune system) to soften it?
Someone with more knowledge can help you better with this question.

Good luck.

Shawnie

Hi david .. I have a smaller hose with a syphon thats about 3 feet long..the hose that is..that I use in my smaller tank...lucys suggestion on the food works wonders

chickadee

I found this and it is a wonder! It is perhaps a bit more expensive than the conventional syphons and less than the turkey baster but does a more thorough cleaning than the baster and is much easier than the syphon. (in my opinion worth every penny) I have it so I attach it to 50 feet of 1/2" diameter tubing and let it run the dirty water out to my flower bed but I have big tanks, in a small tank letting it drain into a bucket and emptying the water into the toilet or outside would work as well.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...ductId=2755281

You have to unscrew the end off that comes attached and use the one that comes loose in the bag with it to use it on regular tanks as the thing is really made to use on a Bio-orb but will also be fine for regular tanks with the other part. It is lovely as it comes apart for a thorough cleaning (unlike other things used) and can be thoroughly soaked to make sure you are not contaminating the tank with germs it may pick up. I love them and have a different one for each tank and mark them to keep them seperate. You just squeeze the bulb thing a few times to get it started and then the thing will work on its own. You move the tube in the tank about and kind of dig into the gravel and it does a thorough deep cleaning. When the gravel builds up in the tube you lift it out and the gravel will drop out and you put it down and start it again. I love the thing!

Rose

David C

thanks for the hints about the small vacuum. where do you get the garlic juice at walmart, i tried finding some but no clue where to look

Shawnie

fresh garlic in the jars, use the juices off that and feed small pieces (the size of the fishies eye) periodically....

mrsmuffin

Garlic - You can usually find it in the produce section near the onions.

Shawnie

the jar stuff is better then you have the juices automatically for a few drops a day in their tanks

Im all for the easiest healthy way LOL

mrsmuffin

Sorry, I meant that is where the stuff in the jar usually is too...no way am I peeling fresh garlic for the fish - I rarely do it for the humans!!!

chickadee

My Dollar Store also carries it in stock so you may ask there if there is one near you. Just say you want fresh minced garlic in its own juice and they will know what to show you. It looks like little bitty chopped up pieces of rice in liquid and it comes in a small glass jar. Once you open it, keep it in the refrigerator or it will mold.

Rose

David C

thanks, you guys are great help. i hate asking for anything at walmart because usually the employees are clueless, but what do you expect for minimum wage