How often to clean, and how to not kill bacteria

[FinnFan]

I am considering setting up a 3 or 5 gallon tank with a few female bettas in it. Will probably use UGF or a sponge filter on it. I do not plan on overstocking the tank, and I do plan on planting in it pretty heavily.

If I can achieve fairly ideal water conditions, how often (approximately) will I need to remove ALL of the contents (gravel, plants, decorations, etc) and wash them off? (Versus just doing a 100% water change, and wiping down the insides of the aquarium.)

How often should I do partial changeouts? A couple cups a day? 25-50% per week?

What's the best way to NOT kill your beneficial bacteria when you are doing a thorough cleaning?

I'm just trying to get a rough estimate on the amount of maintenance that a tank of this size would require, so I know what I would be getting into.

Thanks much!

[gate113]

I am not a pro but you never do 100% water changes. Instead once a week you syphon out about 15-20% of the water. Using a syphon on the gravel (IF you don't have real plants) to get rid of all the fishes dropings and un eaten food. This is pretty much standard whether you have a 1 gallon or a 100 gallon tank.

With artificial plants I never removed them all at once either to clean them as good bacteria will grow on them as well. Instead, along with the weekly water change I would remove one decoration and wash it out.

[JustOneMore20]

Originally Posted by FinnFan

I am considering setting up a 3 or 5 gallon tank with a few female bettas in it. Will probably use UGF or a sponge filter on it. I do not plan on overstocking the tank, and I do plan on planting in it pretty heavily.

I'd go with a planted 5 or 6 gallon for 3 female Bettas. A 3g is a tad small IMO. Females can also be aggressive, although not usually as aggressive as males.

If I can achieve fairly ideal water conditions, how often (approximately) will I need to remove ALL of the contents (gravel, plants, decorations, etc) and wash them off? (Versus just doing a 100% water change, and wiping down the insides of the aquarium.)

You should never remove all the contents of the tank and wash them, unless you are tearing the tank down and not setting it back up for awhile. Regular maintenance includes water changes and gravel vac'ing (which can be harder in small tanks).

How often should I do partial changeouts? A couple cups a day? 25-50% per week?

For smaller tanks, I'd do 40-50% water changes weekly. Or you could split it up and do 2 25% changes a week if you'd like. I find that larger water changes are usually needed in smaller tanks weekly than in larger tanks.

What's the best way to NOT kill your beneficial bacteria when you are doing a thorough cleaning?

Anytime you take everything out and wash it in tap water, you kill alot, if not all the beneficial bacteria. Its best not to do a thorough cleaning and just stick to water changes and gravel vac'ing/siphoning. In a planted tank, you could just do water changes, as the plants will be in the way of vac'ing the gravel.

[FinnFan]

Thanks guys I have my eye on a 5 gallon hex tank at the store... I may end up getting it this weekend. I am trying to restrain myself, but it is hard! I'm trying to take things slowly and read as much as I can.

For a 5 gallon, it is probably not necessary to buy a special stand, would you think? I was going to put it on my desk in my room.

Ok, so I'm not supposed to EVER take all the stuff out of the tank to wash it. And if it's got a lot of plants, I shouldn't vac the gravel. Won't the debris accumulate at the bottom though? And what about changing the sponge filter? (or cleaning under the UGF?)

Might I need one of those magnet cleaners?

Thanks so much for your help

[JustOneMore20]

Originally Posted by FinnFan

For a 5 gallon, it is probably not necessary to buy a special stand, would you think? I was going to put it on my desk in my room.

It should be fine for the desk IMO. I don't have special stands for the 2 nano tanks I have (3g and 5.5g) and have then on end tables.

Ok, so I'm not supposed to EVER take all the stuff out of the tank to wash it. And if it's got a lot of plants, I shouldn't vac the gravel. Won't the debris accumulate at the bottom though? And what about changing the sponge filter? (or cleaning under the UGF?)

Correct. You can vac around the plants if you want to to get the debri....or just hover the siphon over it to pick it up without disturbing the plant roots. For a sponge filter, you can rinse the sponge in old tank water (some you've siphoned out of the tank) once every couple weeks or maybe even longer if it doesn't look to dirty. I'm not sure about the UGF as I've never used one. They aren't the best filters for plants though, as the roots can sometimes get tangled up in it.

Might I need one of those magnet cleaners?

Only if you must have one. They aren't necessary. If you get algae on the glass/sides, then an old toothbrush (washed a few times in hot water) or a new one will work nicely and probably be cheaper than a magnet cleaner. The toothbrushes work especially good in small tanks.

Good luck!

[FinnFan]

thank you very, very much
I'm not sure I'll be able to keep myself from buying my tank this weekend... hehehe

[Steve155]

If i were you i would use a sponge filter these are aparently alot better and more reccomended.

[judya]

Yes - Sponge filter, not undergravel. I use 1 or 2 sponge filters in every one of my tanks, and many of my tanks have no other filter. When they get really grungy, squeeze them out in some dechlorinated water - such as the dirty tank water you just pulled out. Yes - weekly partial water changes - 10-20% once or twice a week. You can vacuum at that time to remove some of the dropped food. Or you can use a clean turkey baster to siphon out small amounts. Even if you have a hang-on outside filter, you seldom need to wash it out, and just need to clean the tube, and rinse the filter pad the same as with the sponge above.
Water weighs 8 pounds a gallon, plus a bit more weight for the rocks, tank, decorations.
I don't know how much space you have, but if you could get a slightly bigger tank, I think you should. If not then try to get the wider the better, as bettas are top swimming fish and several would be crowded in that level.
You may want a corydoras catfish to swim around the bottom level. He'll help eat the dropped bits of food. (And no, they don't eat fish wastes). And they have a cool personality.
With the sponge filter, you won't need a very powerful air pump - If you get a sponge filter for the male, you can get a valve/splitter and run both sponges off the same pump. You want a steady but gently air current.
And you don't have to smoosh the fruit flies. Just put them into the water surface so they don't fly out.

[BV77]

very good and complete answers, Kristin...you rock, girl!

[FinnFan]

Thanks much all... I got some extra money on Friday and ended up buying my new tank at that point. I figured it was some sort of "omen" that I should get the tank. Hehe.

I don't know if there's a specific place on this board to show pictures of your setup, but I'm going to go have a look now.