Top Fin Enchant 3.5g Modified For A Betta

Hello Fishlore friends! This is my first post and I'm excited to join, IMO, the best aquarium forum around.

I want to share my recent experiences with my new 3.5 gallon Top Fin Enchant tank setup for our halfmoon betta named Philip Seymour Hoffman (or just Phil for short). The tank is obviously bare minimum size for a betta, but very nicely priced for having a sort of HOB style filter and LED lighting. It's a decent halfmoon shaped desktop tank.

The tank is filled with a heater, gravel, 2 silk plants and natural driftwood from our LFS. There were a few modifications that needed to be made for it to be betta friendly, so I thought I'd share these for anyone interested in this tank.

First mod was using a razor to cut small openings in the top/back side of the included filter media to remove the activated carbon since it's not really needed if the water is treated with Prime.

Next, was to add some bio media to the filter to create a proper environment for the beneficial bacteria to grow. I just purchased a small bag of Fluval Biomax (30 gallon size) and wedged it in the filter after the included floss media (mechanical filter).

The final, most difficult, mod was to slow down the water coming out of the filter. This is the most needed mod for a happy betta. With the filter as-is, the water pours straight down and creates a strong downward current which threw poor Phil down into the gravel. The other problem was that it didn't create enough surface movement and a thick bio-film would cover the entire surface within a few days. This was remedied by creating a sort of scoop out of a plastic water bottle and super gluing it to the filter housing.

After these modifications, Phil is now happier than ever and gets to swim freely through the entire tank without being thrown around. In fact, one of his new favorite spots to hang out is right under the filter exhaust.

This is my first tank since a child, so any advice/criticism is well appreciated. Thanks!

Pictures of modifications:

 

Sounds nice, I would go with live plants tho because the silk and plastic ones tend to hold on to bad stuff and removal to clean them is just a headache.

 

Have you got a floating log for Phil? They're slightly expensive but well worth the price. When mine gets tired, he likes to cruise around in the log.

 

Sounds nice, I would go with live plants tho because the silk and plastic ones tend to hold on to bad stuff and removal to clean them is just a headache.

I would love to add live plants in the future, but since this is my first tank in over 20 years I'm taking baby steps to make sure everything is done right. I'm also not sure the 3 little LED lights on the hood of this tank is sufficient for plants, but I'd be willing to try some easy/hardy plants someday. Any recommendations? Was thinking Anubias might do well.

Have you got a floating log for Phil? They're slightly expensive but well worth the price. When mine gets tired, he likes to cruise around in the log.

Not yet. I'm kinda worried about the floating log taking up too much space on the surface since this isn't the largest tank. He tends to hangout on the driftwood often. I made a tunnel/cave with it at first but he never went in it and preferred just laying on top of it.

Is there a way to edit current posts? I wanted to add pics to the original but accidentally added them to my reply.

*nevermind! I must have been just too new to edit. I can now edit my old posts

 

Looks great!

I agree about the live plants, but I wouldn't try anything with that light. Some java moss would do fine, but it's not the prettiest plant by itself. If you decided you wanted live plants, you could replace the built-in lid with a small sheet of glass and use a desk lamp with a 6500k CFL bulb. That'd grow most plants in a tank like that.

Do you know what temp the tank is at? 76F-82F is the recommended range, and I think 78-80 is a good place to shoot for.

Did you cycle the tank?

 

Looks great!

I agree about the live plants, but I wouldn't try anything with that light. Some java moss would do fine, but it's not the prettiest plant by itself. If you decided you wanted live plants, you could replace the built-in lid with a small sheet of glass and use a desk lamp with a 6500k CFL bulb. That'd grow most plants in a tank like that.

Do you know what temp the tank is at? 76F-82F is the recommended range, and I think 78-80 is a good place to shoot for.

Did you cycle the tank?

Thanks! Okay, great info for when I move onto doing live plants.

Currently the tank stays 80-82F and is cycled (0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and around 15 nitrates at the end of the week before a 20-30% WC)

 

Sounds like you've done your research!

I'd just make sure that the plants/driftwood have no sharp edges. Like even relatively sharp. If you find any, sand it down with sandpaper, and it should be fine.

Great setup.

 

Sounds like you've done your research!

I'd just make sure that the plants/driftwood have no sharp edges. Like even relatively sharp. If you find any, sand it down with sandpaper, and it should be fine.

Great setup.

Pretty much all my research led me to this site! I learned so much from all of you and I finally had some time today to join this great community and start adding my knowledge and feedback.

Thanks again!

 

Hi. Can u please post a pic. I would like to see how you managed that scoop thing. May help me and others as well.

 

You can see it in two of the pics in the original post. It's just kind of hard to see since it's clear plastic. Here's the front pic zoomed in. I'm doing a WC later today, so I'll get some better pics for you all.

 

Welcome to Fishlore! Your tank is the perfect size for a betta, so don't worry about that. You have definitely done your research and got Phil set up the best I've seen so far for a newbie. How is your nitrogen cycle going? I have been rearranging my betta tank the last few days, boy is Finnley unhappy with me. Lol

Sounds nice, I would go with live plants tho because the silk and plastic ones tend to hold on to bad stuff and removal to clean them is just a headache.

I am not sure what "bad stuff" silk plants hold on to. A couple of nerite snails can help with any algae, and a turkey baster can blow debris off the leaves. Nothing wrong with silk plants.

I personally don't have live plants in my tanks, because it is more work than I want to do. And I cannot keep a plant alive. It's just not my thing.

Have you got a floating log for Phil? They're slightly expensive but well worth the price. When mine gets tired, he likes to cruise around in the log.

My guy loves his floating log too. It's his favorite place to nap during the day. You could get a betta hammock if you want too. They are smaller.

 

If you think a betta will lay in it, chances are it will (Unless it's mine, he'll rip it out of the ground unless it's his special plant. He's quite the character.)

 

How is your nitrogen cycle going?

Stable so far! I got the tank back in February and after filling it with gravel and decorations I did ghost feedings of free flake food. It took a few days for the ammonia to get high enough to register 1 ppm then a couple more to get 4-5 ppm. Of course, I started to get anxious and excited to get a boy in the tank so I researched how I could speed up the process. I ended up buying some Seachem Stability to test out. Not sure how much it helped since I've never done a cycle before, but it ended up completing a little under 6 weeks.

After finding Phil and getting him comfy in his new home I continued to check levels daily to make sure there wasn't any spike in ammonia or nitrites. So far no spikes and in fact there seems to be less ammonia being produced since I make sure he eats all the pellets I put in the tank. I test the water before I change it every week and the nitrates never get higher than 15 ppm, so all is well.

If you think a betta will lay in it, chances are it will (Unless it's mine, he'll rip it out of the ground unless it's his special plant. He's quite the character.)

lol I can't imagine how funny that would be to watch. He says he doesn't like the way you decorated the place and wants to rearrange it.

 

He rips the suction cup thermometer from the wall every day too. Even tried to dismantle his heater once. He's quite the handful.

 

Phil will rest anywhere. He doesn't seem picky. Sometimes I find him on a leaf right at the top and sometimes he's "asleep" on the bottom leaning against the driftwood. I'm actually surprised sometimes at night when I watch him because he won't come up to the surface for air. I'm guessing there must be enough oxygen in the water. It just surprises me because during the day when he's active he comes to the surface fairly often, but I suppose he's also using much more oxygen when active.

 

Fish in general are just a lot less active at night, especially if you turn the lights off in the tank.

 

Welcome to Fishlore! Your tank is the perfect size for a betta, so don't worry about that. You have definitely done your research and got Phil set up the best I've seen so far for a newbie. How is your nitrogen cycle going? I have been rearranging my betta tank the last few days, boy is Finnley unhappy with me. Lol





I personally don't have live plants in my tanks, because it is more work than I want to do. And I cannot keep a plant alive. It's just not my thing.

Wasn't trying to say there was anything wrong with them just saying it's more of a hassle to maintain silk or plastic compared to real.

 

Hi. Can u please post a pic. I would like to see how you managed that scoop thing. May help me and others as well.

Got around to doing the weekly WC. Here's the pics of the scoop I made for the filter.

 

Have yet to add live plants, but I got some rocks added today! He's already been checking them out and laying on the largest one.

 

I have that same tank and the only issue I've had with it is that the filter intake was ripping Neptune's fins up a bit. I had to cover it and now it is fine. The tank is also scratched in quite a few places, but that is because of me!

 

I have that same tank and the only issue I've had with it is that the filter intake was ripping Neptune's fins up a bit. I had to cover it and now it is fine. The tank is also scratched in quite a few places, but that is because of me!

That's a shame! I was actually concerned my intake wasn't strong enough. He's never really gone up to it and sucked against it. In fact, as I'm writing this he's hanging out right next to it and it slowly pulls him towards it but he swims away before touching it. I'll have to watch for any new tears in the future and possibly put a pre-filter on it.

Can I ask how you covered it?

 

I covered it with some fabric and a rubber band. It may have been affecting my betta because he hangs out near the filter a lot and he has super long double-tail fins.

 

I covered it with some fabric and a rubber band. It may have been affecting my betta because he hangs out near the filter a lot and he has super long double-tail fins.

Thanks for the tip! I'll keep this in mind if I see anymore tears after he fully recovers from fin rot.

 

Got around to doing the weekly WC. Here's the pics of the scoop I made for the filter.
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Nicely done

 

Never seen a more perfect baffle!
For the intake you can also use a prefilter sponge if you ever need to.
Amazing job!

 

I covered it with some fabric and a rubber band. It may have been affecting my betta because he hangs out near the filter a lot and he has super long double-tail fins.

Decided to be proactive and not wait for something to happen, so I stretched some pantyhose over the intake and zip-tied it.

 

Just a little update on Phil and his home. The modifications have created the perfect low flow environment for a Betta while creating a good amount of surface movement. Phil hasn't had anymore tears or fin rot and has been healing so well! Much of the new growth has that clear, cellophane look.

I recently changed out the gravel for some natural sand. Phil likes to lay on it much more than the gravel.

 

I never thought I'd get "betta fever," but this type of set-up makes me feel I'm getting the symptoms of it...

I don't even want to think back to my poor big-box-store bettas of years ago, languishing in little glass bowls...

 

I never thought I'd get "betta fever," but this type of set-up makes me feel I'm getting the symptoms of it...

I don't even want to think back to my poor big-box-store bettas of years ago, languishing in little glass bowls...

Haha! Yeah I really enjoy having him and this little 3.5g tank on my bedside stand as a night light/table light. The RGB led lights are nice to "set the mood" in the bedroom at night also.

 

Haha! Yeah I really enjoy having him and this little 3.5g tank on my bedside stand as a night light/table light. The RGB led lights are nice to "set the mood" in the bedroom at night also.

I never thought of fish on my bedside stand! Hmmm.... the Mrs. is NOT going to be happy... well, not with fish "taking over the house," as she exaggerates. But MTS is a thing and those who have it should be treated with compassion & dignity.

 

It's been a long time since updating, but not much has changed until recently. I needed one of the rocks from Phil's tank to help with my 29 gallon planted tank, so I took some time rearranging his decor during this weeks water change. I'm liking how it's opened up more and Phil seems to like it also, but he definitely doesn't appreciate the paparazzI showing up to snap pics of his glamorous lifestyle!

 

I have this same tank for my Betta and I've been researching how to modify the filter output too..I feel like my poor guy, Chester, gets shot down to the bottom by it as he's swimming g around. I am totally going to try the plastic water bottle tip...about how long of a piece is it from where you attached it to the end?

 

I have this same tank for my Betta and I've been researching how to modify the filter output too..I feel like my poor guy, Chester, gets shot down to the bottom by it as he's swimming g around. I am totally going to try the plastic water bottle tip...about how long of a piece is it from where you attached it to the end?

It's about 2.5 inches long and 2 inches wide. I folded about a quarter inch to super glue underneath the output lip, making the "ramp" about 2.25 inches.

 

It's about 2.5 inches long and 2 inches wide. I folded about a quarter inch to super glue underneath the output lip, making the "ramp" about 2.25 inches.

Thanks! I've been trying everything I can think of to slow the flow down..I do t use the cartridges it came with and I've replaced them with sponges and ceramic bio rings. I've tried building up rings on the inside just in the out flow and putting a sponge just inside the flow too but didn't seem to work. I'll give this a try and hopefully he will be able to swim around without getting pelted to the bottom

 

Holy cow Nanologist! I had no idea you were still a yearling with FishLore, like me! We both made our first postings around the same time.

I have to admit, I haven't read this through yet, (I will ), but I was just shocked at the first few lines of the first post on this thread. How have I missed this one for so long? Ah well, I'm here now, and Phil sure is a handsome guy!

 

Holy cow Nanologist! I had no idea you were still a yearling with FishLore, like me! We both made our first postings around the same time.

I have to admit, I haven't read this through yet, (I will ), but I was just shocked at the first few lines of the first post on this thread. How have I missed this one for so long? Ah well, I'm here now, and Phil sure is a handsome guy!

Haha, awesome! Yeah, if it weren't for Phil's fin rot and general sensitivity to water compared to my gf's last betta then I wouldn't be on this forum most likely.

Glad you made it! Better late than never...

 

Moved some plants over from the community tank. Phil finally has live plants! MERRY XMAS BUDDY!

 

How's Phil been enjoying his live plants? Whenever I check in on this tank, I look at a sturdy little side table with a lamp on it, and wonder where else I could put that lamp.

I'm probably not going to actually do this anytime real soon, but I have wondered what the betta experts around here think of crowntails. I know bettas in general can be prone to fin issues, so do crowntails have it better because there's less drag, or worse because of more edges? Would it be wise for a betta beginner to get one from a breeder, LFS, or Petco? (Which some consider a rescue while others consider buying there as being part of the problem.) Bettas are beautiful, and I want one, but have betta issues. Where'd you get Phil? Is maintenance more frequent or difficult with super low flow?

 

How's Phil been enjoying his live plants? Whenever I check in on this tank, I look at a sturdy little side table with a lamp on it, and wonder where else I could put that lamp.

I'm probably not going to actually do this anytime real soon, but I have wondered what the betta experts around here think of crowntails. I know bettas in general can be prone to fin issues, so do crowntails have it better because there's less drag, or worse because of more edges? Would it be wise for a betta beginner to get one from a breeder, LFS, or Petco? (Which some consider a rescue while others consider buying there as being part of the problem.) Bettas are beautiful, and I want one, but have betta issues. Where'd you get Phil? Is maintenance more frequent or difficult with super low flow?

I'll ask Phil what he thinks. I've wondered that myself. We got Phillip Seymour Hoffman from Petsmart as a "rescue" and for my birthday last year. If I was planning to get a designer crown then I'd definitely go through a breeder.

Maintenance is next to nothing for this tank. It might need a bit more because of the live plants but it's the cleanest and easiest by far. I'm about to change the filter floss for the first time ever...

I'll get pics of the incredible growth from these 3 tiny leds on the hood.

 

Here we go. You can see the stargrass is growing out of the water surface now.