Re: Question about bettas and filters

by **elliriyanna** on Fri Jul 23, 2010 2:34 am

its fine thats normal Smile

always happens when the water is warmer than the air.... like the fog over a lake at night ... ( dont know if that made sense)

But its true every tank i've seen does it even my own.

by **SiennaBay** on Fri Jul 23, 2010 2:53 am

OK, The condensation started making the water appear very slightly murky instead of crystal clear so I was starting to worry!

I know the water is good because I just changed more than half of it today and the fish has only been in there two days. I guess I'm just too new to all this -- don't know what to expect.

by **elliriyanna** on Fri Jul 23, 2010 2:56 am

the condensation isnt making the water cloudy. As far as i know that cant happen. It sounds like cycling.

by **2tall** on Fri Jul 23, 2010 3:05 am

Try checking the sponge you added to the intake of the filter. It could need cleaning off as it might be blocking the filters function. Don't rinse with tap water!

by **flip** on Fri Jul 23, 2010 3:23 am

mine do that if the air outside the tank is cooler than the water, like if you run the AC in your house. it goes away in mine when im not running the AC, it isnt anything to worry about. i keep my boys water at 80F. someone will correct me if im wrong but im pretty sure they will be fine at 82F bettas tend to like it warmer.

by **2tall** on Fri Jul 23, 2010 3:36 am

Pretty sure I've read (here) 82F is okay, but I don't think any higher.

by **SiennaBay** on Fri Jul 23, 2010 4:25 am

F. Banks, I'm glad you mentioned the sponge! I took the little sponge piece out that I had put in the intake. It's collecting black stuff. And I just put it in there this morning! On the Eclipse 3, you're really not supposed to add sponges in the intake -- the bacteria is supposed to start collecting on the biowheel. I suppose I better just leave things alone and not keep the sponge in there. The current is a bit strong again but I read in the instructions that it will slow up once bacteria have collected on the wheel. The water, though is just slightly murky. What does this mean and what should I do about it? Thanks for your help!!

by **2tall** on Fri Jul 23, 2010 4:56 am

I guess at this point just let it run and see if it clears up the water. It shouldn't
take overly long work as long as the filter is functioning as it supposed to. You might try reduce the size of the intake sponge you had.or figure out how to allow more water through the intake. Might take a few tries to find a workable
solution. I'm not familiar with or had practical knowledge with your filter. I do
suggest for now just let it run as designed and wait for the water to clear. I'm pretty new at this game myself.

Someone(s) with more knowledge will respond by the time you get up in the morning, Was that a Marineland Bio-wheel and what size or number? I'll look it up and see what might help.

by **SiennaBay** on Fri Jul 23, 2010 4:59 am

Yes, I have a Marineland Eclipse 3. Apparently it takes about 5 weeks for the bacteria to be fully cultured on the biowheel, and I just started the filter today. Meanwhile, I have to figure out a way to make things live-able for my fish. Wish I had known about all this right from the start. All the pet shop guy basically told me was to condition the water and drop the fish in.

by **2tall** on Fri Jul 23, 2010 5:15 am

I looked at a picture but couldn't see the bottom of the intake. Does it have several vertical slits? If so you might try blocking every other one. Is the water clearing up now?

by **kizno1** on Fri Jul 23, 2010 7:13 am

The sponge over the filter wont affect the bacteria in side Both sponges will get bacteria on them which just means you have more media for it all to go through which i better. An the ideal temps for bettas are 27-28C which is 81-82F

by **SiennaBay** on Fri Jul 23, 2010 3:31 pm

The filter has several vertical slits on the bottom of the intake. If the sponge that I added to the intake didn't cause the murkiness in the water, what did? I got up this morning to see if the water looks any better and it doesn't. I just changed half the water yesterday. I guess I'll be changing it again!

by **SiennaBay** on Fri Jul 23, 2010 3:56 pm

I'm going to start a new thread on this.

by **Beth** on Sat Jul 24, 2010 7:58 am

You will find a bigger tank, easier to handle water wise. Anyway you can save up for a min. 5 gal?

The cloudyness could just be a bacteria outbreak, which is all part of cycling