I have a New 5 Gal tank, need HELP

larsjohnson1 · 09-25-2011, 10:27 AM

I have been letting my tank cycle for about two weeks now, but my filter, (which i think is a tetra 5-15) is too strong, it makes too much of a current and I'm worried about putting fish in that stressful of an environment. I want to put a Beta in my tank but should I purchase a smaller filter first? or will my filter suffise?
Thank you, Please get back to me ASAP!

Pigeonfish · 09-25-2011, 10:44 AM

Amazon.com: red sea nano filter

There's also ways that people cut up a plastic bottle and put it in front of the flow... but I think it's just better to buy the filter in the link... it's small and it has flow control, so it's perfect for a 5 gallon betta tank.

jrman83 · 09-25-2011, 10:55 AM

Welcome to the site.

Does you filter have a flow adjustment? How have you been letting it cycle? Or really, what do you mean by that?

larsjohnson1 · 09-25-2011, 12:23 PM

thanks, I think I will look into that smaller filter.

jrman83 · 09-25-2011, 01:14 PM

Just keep in mind if what you refer to as cycling is letting the tank run for a couple of weeks, this really does nothing in relation to the nitrogen cycle, which establishes your beneficial bacteria and is the most dangerous period of your tank. There really is no need to run a tank for long periods if nothing is in it.

holly12 · 09-25-2011, 08:01 PM

^ agreed. Are you using a source of ammonia to cycle the tank - because that's how you let it go through the Nitrogen Cycle.

If you can turn the flow on the filter down, that would be best (as it's always good to have a filter rated for above your tank size.) But, Betta's don't like super strong current. If you can't turn it down, and you don't want to make a buffer like Pigeon was mentioning, then get a smaller one, but make sure it will filter the appropriate amount of water to keep the Betta happy.

If you do get a new filter, try to put the media from the old filter in it (IF you've been using an ammonia source to cycle the tank) as most of the bacteria is going to be in the filter media.

Profishermanjones · 09-26-2011, 08:38 PM

get a new filter with adjustable levels incase you ever want more flow.

09-25-2011, 10:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
larsjohnson1 Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 2 Name: Lars Johnson Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have a New 5 Gal tank, need HELP I have been letting my tank cycle for about two weeks now, but my filter, (which i think is a tetra 5-15) is too strong, it makes too much of a current and I'm worried about putting fish in that stressful of an environment. I want to put a Beta in my tank but should I purchase a smaller filter first? or will my filter suffise? Thank you, Please get back to me ASAP!

09-25-2011, 10:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
Pigeonfish Pigeonfish's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 834 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 107 Times Said "Thanks" 205 Times Was Thanked 373 Times in 345 Posts	Re: I have a New 5 Gal tank, need HELP Amazon.com: red sea nano filter There's also ways that people cut up a plastic bottle and put it in front of the flow... but I think it's just better to buy the filter in the link... it's small and it has flow control, so it's perfect for a 5 gallon betta tank. __________________ my dream aquarium...

09-25-2011, 10:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
jrman83 ....has no life.... jrman83's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,468 Name: Ben Location: White Plains, MD My location Feedback: 16 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3,396 Times Said "Thanks" 478 Times Was Thanked 2,431 Times in 2,286 Posts	Re: I have a New 5 Gal tank, need HELP Welcome to the site. Does you filter have a flow adjustment? How have you been letting it cycle? Or really, what do you mean by that?

09-25-2011, 12:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
larsjohnson1 Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 2 Name: Lars Johnson Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: I have a New 5 Gal tank, need HELP thanks, I think I will look into that smaller filter.

09-25-2011, 01:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
jrman83 ....has no life.... jrman83's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,468 Name: Ben Location: White Plains, MD My location Feedback: 16 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3,396 Times Said "Thanks" 478 Times Was Thanked 2,431 Times in 2,286 Posts	Re: I have a New 5 Gal tank, need HELP Just keep in mind if what you refer to as cycling is letting the tank run for a couple of weeks, this really does nothing in relation to the nitrogen cycle, which establishes your beneficial bacteria and is the most dangerous period of your tank. There really is no need to run a tank for long periods if nothing is in it.

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09-25-2011, 08:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
holly12 Dude.... wait..... what? holly12's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 3,074 Name: Holly Location: Canada My location Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 815 Times Said "Thanks" 672 Times Was Thanked 528 Times in 515 Posts	Re: I have a New 5 Gal tank, need HELP ^ agreed. Are you using a source of ammonia to cycle the tank - because that's how you let it go through the Nitrogen Cycle. If you can turn the flow on the filter down, that would be best (as it's always good to have a filter rated for above your tank size.) But, Betta's don't like super strong current. If you can't turn it down, and you don't want to make a buffer like Pigeon was mentioning, then get a smaller one, but make sure it will filter the appropriate amount of water to keep the Betta happy. If you do get a new filter, try to put the media from the old filter in it (IF you've been using an ammonia source to cycle the tank) as most of the bacteria is going to be in the filter media. __________________ 20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981 36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

09-26-2011, 08:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
Profishermanjones Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 11 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: I have a New 5 Gal tank, need HELP get a new filter with adjustable levels incase you ever want more flow.

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