Need Sage Advice on Prepping Fluval Spec V for Betta Move from Established Tank

I have a very happy, healthy, male crown tail betta in an Aqueon 2 gallon. He has thrived for fourteen months in this filterless tank, which I originally kept in my preschool room (hence the small size; small classroom). You should see the bubble nests he has built! Some have covered half of the surface!




(ETA why in the world is this picture upside down?)

Now that I have brought Mr. Bubbles home, I want a bigger tank for him. I still don't have a lot of space, hence the five gallon Fluval.

I have added more plants, some rocks, and new substrate that I'm going to move into the new tank to encourage an better tank cycle before I move him. (water is just cloudy from new substrate.)




Since the current tank is so small, at the advice given in quite a few different articles about keeping bettas in small tanks, I took the filter out (it was a below-gravel filter). Mr. Bubbles hated the strength. I knew it was a risk, but it worked in my case. I was diligent doing water changes, monitoring water quality, etc.

Other than watching for for chemical imbalances, anything I should look for, or do, to encourage a positive transition for Mr. Bubbles?

 

Welcome to Fishlore

I'm sure Mr. Bubbles will love his new and larger home!

If you took the under gravel filter out, does the current tank no longer have a filter? Did you save the old filter media as that is where most of the beneficial bacteria would be. If you didn't, you would have lost your cycle. Do you have a heater?

The new tank will need an ammonia source to cycle. I would transfer your betta over to the new tank with the old filter media (if you still have it) and add that to the new filter.

 

Haven't had a filter in over a year. Took it out after two weeks, if you can believe it. Could just be dumb luck that it has worked out so well.

 

What are your water parameters? I'd think you'd be doing almost daily water changes to keep the waste from poisoning him. It would probably be a lot better for him and easier on you if you got a filter. Sponge filters are great for small tanks!

 

I just did a test. pH is 6.6, and ammonia is up just a little above 0.02. I do twice weekly 20 to 30% water changes, and full changes at least once a month.

 

What about nitrite and nitrate? What test kit are you using? At that pH, the ammonia is not toxic but at the same time, that low of a pH inhibits bacteria growth needed to cycle a tank. Do you have a KH/GH test kit as well? A low pH could also mean a low KH which could cause pH swings. Can you test the pH out of your tap water?

And does either tank have a heater?

 

I don't have the additional tests, but I will keep this info as reference.

I know that my current tank isn't ideal, hence my changing to the new tank. Current tank doesn't have a heater, but I will be fully outfitting the new one with heater, adjusting the filter flow so that isn't too strong per many, many betta posts.

Thanks for all of your advice. You are super knowledgable!

 

Ok, good luck! Let us know if you have any more questions.

 

Ok, good luck! Let us know if you have any more questions.

MY FIRST LIKE!! Thank you!

I'm glad I found this forum. Wow. The amount of information is dizzying.

 

The API Master Test Kit is the most recommended. Get it online, much much cheaper than the LFS(local fish store). You can get up to 800 tests with it.

 

MY FIRST LIKE!! Thank you!

I'm glad I found this forum. Wow. The amount of information is dizzying.

Haha well, since it made you that happy, there's another! Stick around, you're bound to get more!!

 

So far, so good! The LFS Fish Dude (that's a term of deep respect, because he is great) suggested I get the Fluval EVO (saltwater) instead of the Spec. Same size, bones, filter setup, but superior light. He had several set up for freshwater.

I went with silk plants. I will switch to live in the future. Maybe. These look pretty darn good. LOL.

so, here it is: