Trying To Start A 5.5 Gallon Betta Tank.

Hello!

I'm trying to get my betta, Loco, moved into a 5.5 gallon tank from a 1 gallon. I purchased a Top Fin Underwater Worlds Essentials kit.

This is something I've been needing to do for a while. Unfortunately Loco over the past few days has started hiding his head under his moss ball and he just generally seems stressed and unhappy. He is still eating and his water parameters are healthy.

The problem is, this new tank has some large gaps around the Top Fin Silent Stream 10 Power Filter and I am adding a mystery snail (I hear they are escape artists!).

So there are a couple things wrong with this new set-up that I am not happy about and I want to get a new tank seeded ASAP obviously because I do feel that the 1 gallon size is really starting to wear on Loco (duh).

I am concerned about:
1. The major gaps around the filter.
2. The strength and type of filter. I fear this type of filter is too strong in current (Loco hates a strong current) and I want to get what he needs but time is of the essence.

My big concern is that I now can't find a proper lid with this tank (that fits well and has only very small gaps if any) if I find a better solution for a filter? I would need a new/different lid because this lid has cut out holes for the filter.

Also, any recommendations on a heater?

The issue is that I need to figure out something quick, (like TODAY), to start getting a tank seeded for him as I am concerned about his stress level.

I figured I would see if any pros on here have quick solutions or go-to ideas for equipment. Thanks so much!

Btw, I pretty much have a PetsMart or Amazon Prime.

 

You can turn the flow rate down with that dial and then baffle it with a plastic bottle (there are lots of tutorials just search 'baffle filter').
You can also slow down the flow by placing big leafy plants- real or silk- under the output. Placing a fluval prefilter sponge over the intake will also slow it down.

When you add a heater in you'll go through that same hole which in theory will make the gaps a bit tighter. If it's still big enough that you worry you can cut some flat plastic and tape it to the lid.

I've heard good things about the eheim and hagen heaters though my experience is only with the tetra presets and the topfin adjustable ones. Both of which have worked perfectly fine for me though I have seen others have difficulty with them.

He will likely be afraid when you first add him. Having lots of places to hide and break up the line of sight will help a lot.

 

Hello!

I'm trying to get my betta, Loco, moved into a 5.5 gallon tank from a 1 gallon. I purchased a Top Fin Underwater Worlds Essentials kit.

This is something I've been needing to do for a while. Unfortunately Loco over the past few days has started hiding his head under his moss ball and he just generally seems stressed and unhappy. He is still eating and his water parameters are healthy.

The problem is, this new tank has some large gaps around the Top Fin Silent Stream 10 Power Filter and I am adding a mystery snail (I hear they are escape artists!).

So there are a couple things wrong with this new set-up that I am not happy about and I want to get a new tank seeded ASAP obviously because I do feel that the 1 gallon size is really starting to wear on Loco (duh).

I am concerned about:
1. The major gaps around the filter.
2. The strength and type of filter. I fear this type of filter is too strong in current (Loco hates a strong current) and I want to get what he needs but time is of the essence.

My big concern is that I now can't find a proper lid with this tank (that fits well and has only very small gaps if any) if I find a better solution for a filter? I would need a new/different lid because this lid has cut out holes for the filter.

Also, any recommendations on a heater?

The issue is that I need to figure out something quick, (like TODAY), to start getting a tank seeded for him as I am concerned about his stress level.

I figured I would see if any pros on here have quick solutions or go-to ideas for equipment. Thanks so much!

Btw, I pretty much have a PetsMart or Amazon Prime.

Are you referring to the HOB top fin silentstream power filter with the cartridge replacement alert and the blue bio grid? If so, it seems to look like a regular filter but I am reading terrible reviews, I would go with the aquaclear or the mariland penguin with bio wheel and get a pre-filter sponge to put on the intake to cover the gaps. , I have both and they're awesome! Can you clarify what you mean by large gaps?
I have tried many heaters, everyone seems to like the tetra 50-watt heater but I hate it, it's very bulky and it never heats my water to the "said" 78 degrees. I love this heater which I just found and prefer because you can manually change the temp yourself and it also comes with a thermometer, and I have this one as well which is good but it's for 3-5 gallon tanks, its only 25 watts so I would go with the first one I linked for your 5.5 to ensure you heat water to around 80 for your betta!

Let me know if you have any questions or if I wasn't clear on anything.

 

I mean there are openings in between the filter and tank and tank lid, so a mystery snail would easily escape. I am also a little afraid that the openings are large enough for Loco to actually jump out of.

Yes that's the filter I have. Not too excited about it.

There is a hole cut out of the lid to fit the filter it came with, so what can I do about making a lid work with this tank if I get a different filter?

I like the tank itself and I'm happy to modify the filter, but now I don't know what to do about enclosing it? Are there lids you can buy that fit this type of tank that don't have pre-cut filter spaces?

Do you think I should just a get a completely different tank set-up where it's easier to modify filters? Thanks for the help! My wheels have been in over drive trying to figure this out. Thanks!

 

LocoGoneCrazy We have the exact same 5.5g Top Fin kit with the Silentstream 10 filter.

It works great, though we don't have snails.

All lids will have gaps, so I don't know what type of lid you want.

Dont buy a snail maybe? I think the 5.5g kit is perfect for a beta.

I highly doubt a betta will jump out through the opening. If you're still worried, drop the water level an inch or two below the top rim. Unless you have a flying beta, I doubt it will escape.

With the Silentstream filters, they have adjustable knobs on the intake tubes. The will restrict flow down to a trickle, let them run full flow and everything in between. I wish more filters had a similar design.

We also run a Silentstream 20 on a 10 gallon tank, and a Silentstream 55 on a 20 gallon when its used for a quarantine tank, so I'm familiar with them.

CosmicCaprI , the PetSmart website does list a lot of negative reviews for the filter. Ove actually read the majority of them. They all have a common theme, they were written by first time fish keepers who had little to no realistic knowledge or experience keeping fish. Everyone complains of them "leaking" were actually causing them to back up because they were not cleaning the cartridges properly. Also, the first versions of the filter didnt have an overflow on the reservoir to prevent this. The new versions all have this. If your media gets so clogged from neglect water backs up, it simply diverts to the overflow and back into the tank.

Other negative comments involved a lot of complaining about their "fish dying", "water is cloudy", "gravel stays dirty", etc etc. Again, these were first time fish keepers who didnt understand the nitrogen cycle, were trying to keep 5 goldfish in a 10 gallon tank or they were members of the fishlore forum getting put back on the right track ! Ha

Plus, any filter based on a cartridge and the cartridge is still used is not going to work well long term, no matter the brand.

Here is a LINK to a thread on the forum, that shows how to add media to a Silentstream filter for only a couple of $$, that will allow you run re-usable media that filters better than a cartridge.

Some examples (all available at PetSmart, the OP said they had access too)....

Top Fin Sponge used as pre-filter on intake tube

• Islandvic
• Dec 24, 2018
• 1

Top Fin MF20 Internal Filter replacement 2-pack sponges, perfect to use for a pre-filter on your...

Top Fin Silenstream Intake Assembly w/ Top Fin Sponge Filter

• Islandvic
• Dec 24, 2018

Top Fin Silenstream Intake Assembly, Top Fin Sponge Filter and zip tie (impeller is upside in...

Top Fin Silenstream w/ Sponge Pre-Filter

• Islandvic
• Dec 24, 2018

Aquaclear 50 Sponges

• Islandvic
• Dec 24, 2018

Aquaclear/Fluval sponge replacements are available in 3-packs for $3-$5. Perfect for DIY media!

Fluval Spec Bio-Max refill bag

• Islandvic
• Dec 24, 2018

Fluval Spec Bio-Max refill bag (small ceramic bio-media pellets) available online and Petsmart...

Top Fin Silenstream w/ Polyfil, AC50 Sponge and small bag of Bio-Max (pic 2)

• Islandvic
• Dec 24, 2018

Top Fin Silenstream w/ Polyfil, AC50 Sponge and small bag of Fluval Spec Bio-Max refill bag

There are tons more examples in the linked thread.

On our 5.5g and the Silentstream 10 filter, I just push a cut out block of sponge foam pushed to the bottom of the reservoir, place a little bag of Bio-Max on top, then top it off with another smaller piece of foam sponge.

Water is clear and keeps the little 5.5g fully cycled and healthy!

For a heater, I bought an adjustable 50w Aqueon I found on sale at PetSmart for $13. It was their online price, but the sales clerk in store will price match .

 

Here's what I have going! I need to get the heater in, his last plant from the one gallon, and the last of those larger rocks and we are set. Oh yeah, and Loco himself. And Advil. The snail. I might try to block the openings with sponge or tape so Advil can't escape.

Also, I think I figured out a much better filter set up. What do you think?

I plan to heat the tank tonight and move the last stuff in tomorrow before acclimating him.

Whew.

Oh also, I got the same heater you have! I'm happy the temp is controllable.

 

Also, can I just take a moment to tell you guys THANK YOU so much for the info about the filters. I have been utterly confused and have no idea how I missed this info as I've been avidly reading about how to take care of a Betta since May. I think this is going to make a world of difference.

Loco is extremely tough and I'm kind of shocked how well he did in a one gallon that wasn't quite properly filtered. I think being in the correct size with proper filtration is really going to make him happy.

Thank you thank you!

 

I fear I must have disrupted the cycle somewhere? Probably in taking that filter cartridge out the other night.

The new tank is 0,0,0 right now after having it set up with half the ornaments from the one gallon in it since last night at about 6 pm.

What do you suggest from here?

 

Your 5.5g isn't stocked heavy, so it would be very unlikely to see an ammonia spike to a huge amount overnight.

If it were my tank, I would just monitor and keep up with water changes.

 

I started with a .7 gallon tank for a betta for the kids.

Then it was a 5.5.

Then 10.

Then 29.

Then several 10s.

Then a 40 for our main tank.

Then a 20 to replace the several 10s (split into 2 bettas in a divided tank).

And now re-using that 5.5 again for our 3rd betta. Gotta love it!