betta tank

Question
QUESTION: "i just set up a 5 gallon tank, gravel at bottom, 2 live plants, and one male betta. heater set at 78F, flourescent light on hood.

also - i turned off the filter, as it seemed the beta didn't like the current that it caused.

Knowing that I have limited tank space and 1 male betta, any recommendations on other tankmate(s)?  

is it ok that i have no filteration - should i find a less powerful filter or turn it on intermittenly?  i am aware that with this small tank size i will need to check water chemistry regulary and make frequent partial water changes.

many thanks!

susan

ANSWER: Hi Susan,
A 5 gallon tank is too small for other tank mates. You could however put in an African Drawf Frog.  They get along well with the betta as they need the same care, but not the same food.  A Betta needs pellets, betta flakes, alternating one each day, and bloodworms once a week.  He should also fast one day a week. The pet store has special food for the frog.  Check your water often to keep it free from ammonia.  Do your water changes every week with a good conditioner.
I would like to add that a betta should be fed three times a day, but in small quantity.  One big meal a day is not good for him.  Example:  Feed him 2 pellets for one meal.  I just thought I would mention this, as bettas get constipated, and then trouble begins.  His tummy is the size of his eye, so we must be careful.
I'm a little worried about your live plants.  Plants should be put in a well established tank.  Check them often, and make sure that they won't be rotting at the base, and remove any leaves that seem to be dying.
It's okay to have no filtration with the Betta, and the Frog as they both breathe air, and of course the betta loves blowing a nest.  Just make sure there is no ammonia in the water.
Hope this helps
Lynda  


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Lynda
Thanks for your speedy and very helpful reply.  

i do have a separate ADF only tank and good experience with them.   Due to some of their individual behavior, i would be a bit cautious (tail nipping) for the betta. You are right about the frogs, they need a varied, non-commercial, non-fish flake diet to keep them healthy. the pet stores give out some pretty bad advice.

i read a number of your postings on  betta care and learned a lot!  thank you!  

here's my second issue- I do check for nitrates and nitrites in my other tank (community tropical fish only 20 gallon, well established, healthy plants) and have had problems with high nitrates and nitrites (no change with the dosing of amquel +) as well as low PH, despite water changes.  The fish all seem ok, behavior, appetite, overall health, but i know it can't be too healthy over time.  i am concerned about using the PH adjusters, but the water changes (recent was just over 50%_ haven't helped..any ideas?  i have cleaned the gravel (not completely to keep healthy bacteria), keep the tanks sides clean and rinsed the ornaments and am using good water conditioner (jungle brand).  water temp is 77.  any thoughts?  thanks again  

Answer
Hi Susan,
You are doing a great job in your aquariums.  Never use PH adjusters, it will make your PH fluctuate, and this is a killer for fish.  Buy a little bag of coral at your pet store, or maybe you could find seashells at the dollar store.  Put a handful in your 20 gallon, and wait 12 hours, check your PH, if it is still too low, keep on adding the coral, or seashells until you reach the PH you want to have.  Do this very slowly, as bouncing it up suddenly could kill your fish.  You don't want to stress them.  When you reach the desired PH, it will keep it there.  When you do water changes, it will slowly bring it back to where you want it to be.  Check it often to see if you need to add more coral.
To be honest with you, I'm not into real plants.  The reason is that I am more into breeding fish, and don't believe in undergravel filters.  Plants live on fish waste, and my aquariums were too clean to grow plants - lol  I know they say that a good aquarium should have plants, but having tried it a few times, found that they were more of a nuisance, than anything else.  I think there is a plant expert on the team, you could ask him/her more questions about plants.  I don't know which ones live in alkaline, or acid water, so I cannot help you with this.  For me it is "Viva the Silk ones!" lol
Hope I have helped you.
Lynda

I also want to add that the nitrate problem you are having could be because your have too many fish in your tank.  The reason that they are handling the high nitrates is because they have adjusted themselves to it.  This doesn't mean that it is good for them.  In the long run, there will be problems.  If you put another fish in, he would die.  What you have to do is make 20% water changes everyday until you get your nitrates down to safe.  You might want to add another filter to your tank.  This would be a big help.
Sorry I didn't send this in the first letter.
Lynda