Ideas for converting a 2ft tank??

[Em]

Hey all. Thought this was the best place to post this. I have "aquired" a 2ft by 1ft by 1ft tank (aka I'm 'stealing' my brothers old tank that he hasn't claimed in 5 years) for my bettas. I have thought of many ideas, including perspex divides and the like but I also know that a lot of people use the large Berri bottles (3.3L or similar) with the tops cut off to house their juvie males. Do you think a tank with an UGF or side filter, males housed in topless juice bottles (holes burnt in the sides of course) would work as a setup? At present most of my males are in 2L Copper Kettle coffee jars but I was thinking of phasing them out for a better set up. It also has the advantage of being able to change their neighbours around without needing nets and transport containers. If anyone else has suggestions or anything like that about converting tanks without spending a lot, feel free to comment. Em

[Chuckie]

I am a big fan of the Berri Juice bottle method actually. The only real issues are disease spread as they share water, and circulation of heat. If you are willing to cope with those issues, I think the idea is a great one. A UGF would probably not be the best filter option though, as the bottle bases might stop part of the surface area acting as a filter. I tend to use sponge filters, although granted they do take up vaulable space. Maybe a UGF would work ok, you could give it a shot? It's not like the bottle bases would totally block the water flow. Only other thing I would suggst is, don't cut the tops off the juice bottles, it helps stop them jumping out / into each other's containers. You can make a funnel f rom the top of a PET bottle or a 1L milk bottle and use that to pour them into the bottles if you decide not to cut the top off..

[Em]

Thanks Lilli I don't really want to use an UGF but I'm researching other filters to use and I know it will be at least the end of the month before I get the finances to do this project (not to mention drinking lots of juice). I'm lucky that I've had very minor cases of disease with my bettas (aparts from the sudden death of a few in the past month) and any heat would be better than the current method of 'turning room heater on for two hours before I go to bed) ) Em

[Callatya]

OK, what about a large sponge filter attached to a powerhead and spraybar? Good circulation, good agistation and great bacterial filtration Berry juice labels are tricky to get off. Use eucalyptus oil I also put mesh lids on mine so i could just flip them over and dunk to change the water.

[Em]

I'll add spongue filters to my shopping list now Thinking of one on opposite corners and a 150watt heater as well. And note... don't leave doors open if cats are around... thank goodness old Bokky didn't find the desk with all the guys on it )

[VickiPS]

Juice bottles are very effective, I've found. Mine are cut down, but leaving the tops is probably a good idea, as otherwise the tank is too tall for the bottles and you need to drop the water level. A double sponge filter is the go: the bottles help to deflect the current so you can have decent filtration without having to worry about blowing the fish out of the water ) I usually chuck a handful of small river pebbles in mine to weight them down and provide extra biofiltration (1.0 cm approx., buy them at discount shops). A 100w heater should be fine, and I haven't noticed any problems with heat circulation. When you're making the holes, don't forget to put plenty in and around the base. That way you can just give the bottle a bit of a swoosh in the tank and all the gunk drops out -- makes for easier cleaning. :D

[Jess]

Those Ideas are good! If you your using a powerfilter with a sponge, attach the venturi and let more air out, so it helps slow the brunt of the flow. I found lowering powerfilters 5cm+ underneath the water line helps too, as the bubbles escape to the top, instead of blowing the fish apart )

[Chuckie]

one thing I have found handy is the opposite to what Vicki has suggested, but for a different reason. I put the holes closer to the top of the bottle so I can take it out half full, fish and all, to bag fish/vacuum the tank etc. Just my personal preference though, it will depend on how you plan to maintain the tank.

[VickiPS]

one thing I have found handy is the opposite to what Vicki has suggested, but for a different reason.  I put the holes closer to the top of the bottle so I can take it out half full, fish and all, to bag fish/vacuum the tank etc.  

Good point. That's a drawback of having holes in the bottom

[najrick]

This is a version of the berri bottle that we use.

You cut the plastic bottle you want to use at the top, we use either 2L or 1.25L. Use a soldering iron to burn holes in the bottle including the base to allow for current and heat transfer as well as making it easy for a quick drain and clean.

We use two foam rubber pieces cut to size and with holes at each end for each bottle. We have used some left over trampoline mats but something like foam rubber mattresses would do the trick and is cheap. We then cable tie them through the holes in the foam to holes burnt near the top of the cut bottle. Depending on how much of a lip you want will depend on where you place these flotation devices.

These are great for growing out fry in a bigger tank. They also float off the bottom so UGF are not a problem and the water current is not affected no matter what filter you use. We use them in our breeding females tank to seperate females after spawning them but mostly in grow out tanks to work out who is male. Once they are big enough they get transferred to the barracks.

We occasionally get a jumper but it is rare and we don't use them for fully grown males in any event.

I think you could easily put a fly screen lid on them if you wanted to prevent jumping and if you wanted to keep males in them more permanently.

Pat.

[Chuckie]

great idea! I remember Abbey once mentioning that foam rubber is toxic in an aquarium, so it's good to know there is a source that isn't. Or did I remember that wrong, Abs?

[Jess]

I love Berri :cheer:

[Figure_8]

our little orange blossom :cheer:

[Callatya]

When inquiries were made through Clark Rubber, we were informed that only one type of foam was suitable for aquariums as the rest were treated with mould inhibitors that can be toxic to fish. I don't know what that is classed as though, its probably foam rubber, not just foam, so if things haven't died, is going to be a good bet that its safe. Its a GREAT idea, should work far better than waterlogged corks I thought I had a winner there for a few days til they all sank ) If you are buying it new, ask them if its treated, just to be safe. Usually if you buy the cheapest its ok, but with $$ fish, get as much info as you can they look soooo good! I am going to have to try that I think!