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My betta likes ghost shrimp I had some with him and he watched them and didnt bother them. I am goind to finsh my 10 gallon before i go onto another tank. Is there any crabs i vould put in there (without Elvis) I could use it for platy fry to if Elvis isnt in it.Have you guys been able to put a flourecent light in it? Just enought to grow Anachris, just to add some live plant or some java moss.If not my lfs has good plastic plants i know wont rip anything, the leave are all rounded.Any good types of snails?

Thank You

Mine will probably have just a little fluff of java moss and maybe just anacharis, or fake plants.

Fish
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-betta
-ghost shrimp
-snail

My Mini Bow 5g uses 3 plugs...one for the light, one for the heater, and one for the filter.

If you are only putting a Betta in there then you don't have to cycle it. I didn't cycle mine. Mine has plants in it which should help keep ammonia and nitrite down, but other than that I didn't cycle it like I would a community tank.



*Kristin*

I found mini bow 7!!!it 7 g and glass, its new so i dought ill find it

How long should it cycle and how?

How many plugs does it use? Imight have to put it in the kitchen

The filter and light are separate units. And if you throw in a small heater that's three. I bought one of these mini-bows from a thrift shop (price was too good to pass up), and it's currently cycling. I'm going to use it as a temporary housing for babies during the first weeks of their lives.


Jim


Last edited by OldTimer at 03-Jan-2006 10:53

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

How many plugs does it use? I already have 2 of those 6 plug things. Does the filter and light run on one cord? Mybe it will be in the kitchen

just a quick note on the light. I have a 5 gal mini bow and the light that cane with it are small compact floutrescent tubes which are very bright. Too bright, I think for my betta, but he is in the ten gal with the incandescent lights anyways. I agree with changing the filter tho, the whisper that it comes with is just too slow and leaves a film, I put an ac mini on it.

1. I don't have a mini bow but I have the 5g hex made by the same company and like it alot. Although I'm not sure I really like the hex shape and would have been better off with the bow or a standard rectangle tank.

2. Most small tanks come with incandescent bulbs. These can and should be changed out for a small screw in flourescent. Even if you aren't keeping plants the incandescents produce too much heat and can cook your fish. The screw in flourescents come in various sizes and you can normally fit at least 10-15watts in the socket. Some will even hold a 25w but unless you are doing live plants you only want around 10watts.

3. The tank is too small for schooling fish like lemon tetras, barbs, or most other tetras except for maybe the smallest species. You should keep around 6 of each of these species but more is better. Neon tetras are one of the few common tetras that might work but I wouldn't suggest it. Despite the fact many people have done it I think they deserve more space. One exception would be cherry barbs which actually dislike company and do fine as a pair in a small tank. It would be perfect for a species tank such as 1 male betta, female bettas, dwarf puffers, a trio of male guppies, or similar small fish that are not schooling. Shrimp and/or snails could also be added depending on compatibility with the fish species chosen and the size of the snail species chosen.

4. I didn't find the filter on the hex all that strong but I'm not sure on the bow tanks. Depends somewhat on the betta. You can always remove the filter and either go filterless which is how my hex is right now with sparkling gouramis in it or put in a smaller filter. I removed the hex filter so I could put on a 2nd light since the hoods won't fit a high enough bulb for my plants.

5. A standard rectangle 5g with perform the same functions for alot less price but if you like the look of it a bow tank can be cool. It depends if the price tag is worth it to you compared to the rectangle tanks.

6. Female applesnails will occasionally leave a tank to find a good spot for egg laying. Normally I didn't worry about it because I had 50+ applesnails and only had 1 wander out every month or 2. You can cover any gaps in the top with plastic canvas from the craft section or any other type of plastic mesh. If the bow top is as tight as the hex top there aren't even air gaps much less big enough gaps for a 2" snail to escape.

7. Bettas can rip fins on plastic plants. There are other types of fake plants and plastic plants with finer leaves that should be fine. I only have real plants so I don't know much about it.

8. As said above a 5g is plenty of space for a betta and other small fish species but not really big enough for schooling fish like tetras or to keep more than 1 species of fish.

Calcium deposits can occur on all tank materials. You need to keep the water level high. One thing about the bow and hex tanks is that they are acrylic instead of glass. Acrylic scratches very easily. I scratched mine just by wiping off water with a papertowel. You need to use very soft materials to wipe them and scrubbing algae off is a real pain. Fortunately scratches are also easily fixed with an acrylic scratch kit.

I didn't do anything with the light on mine. The plants in the photo above are grown with the bulb included in the Mini-Bow package. I dose w/Excel ~2 times per week.

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Hello all ,

Of course i have new questions and ideas. Well i wanted to move my betta named elvis, into a bigger house which might be the Mini Bow.I wanted a small lighted, filtered tank for my betta. It's looks bad to have my well lit 10 galon next to a small tank with no light.My questions are;
1.What are your experiences with this tank?
2.How well lit is this?
3.What other fish could i keep in this, a pair of Lemon Tetras or a pair of female Bettas, and maybe some Ghost Shrimp or snails?
4.Is the filter to strong, so the betta wont like the movement in water?
5.In your opinion is the Mini Bow worth buying?
6.Will snails climb out of the tank?
7.I have seen some "sharp" plastic plants, have your bettas have ccaught in these?
8.How large is this?

Thank you

I have a Mini-Bow 5 that's home to my betta, 2 ottos, and a bunch of MTS.

It's a small tank so there aren't that many options. You can get ghost shrimp, but your betta might eat them. Another idea would be an ADF.

I played around with the filter output using sponges and other things; nothing worked. I don't know if he got used to it or what but my betta doesn't seem to mind the water movement at all.

Be careful with artificial plants and bettas, their fins can get torn. There are many silk aquarium plants available. For plastic many people use they nylon (pantyhose) test: if the plant tears that, don't buy it.

As stated, acrylic tanks scratch very easily. I've never had problems with stains though.

Would I buy it again? Personally, no. I've found from having this tank and the Eclipse 6 that I don't like either bow-front tanks or acrylic. If you have the space and money, a 10g kit is a better option imo. When I wanted a small tank for a shellie pair I bought a glass 5.5g and the components I wanted (filter, light, heater) for less than the Mini-Bow.

This isn't a great pic but I do have to say that I'm happy with this tank in regards to lighting and plants. The left and front are all crypts, on the right is a lava rock with java fern & moss. I now need to fill in the back with some taller plants.


Theresa_M attached this image:


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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Wowzers same price! I have never seen that before! I think a few ghost shrimp and a snail will go in there with elvis along.What is a good snail? I have never had one.

I have a 5g mini bow that houses my male betta Charlie. It hasn't stained at the water line. The only thing about acrylic tanks is that they scratch easily. Mine has been through alot so it has lots of scratches.
I would only put the betta in there. When Elvis goes, then I would just get another male betta. A 5g is too small for lemon tetras. They like to school and I don't think a 5g is big enough for a school. Same goes for other schooling fish. White clouds are too active for a tank that small.
The 5g has just enough room for a male betta.
For lighting I replaced the incandescent bulb that comes with it, with a screw in compact fluorescent. I have 2wpg and have mine planted.
It is a great little tank. My only problem is finding a filter that isn't too strong. Right now I have a Whisper 10i filter on it. It is adjustable but I don't see a difference when I adjust it. I thought about getting a filter I saw on Dr Foster and Smith's website...it is made by Azoo. I think it is for tanks 5g and under. It seems like it would work better.
My overall opinion is that it is a great tank. Be careful and don't clean it with a rough sponge because it scratches easily. For stock, I would only go with 1 male betta and snails. There just is not enough space for a school or a bigger fish. Maybe a small school of neons would fit after Elvis...not sure. Good luck!

edit: In your opinion is the Mini Bow worth buying
If it was me, I would go with a 10g. At the Walmart near me, they sell the 10g kit for the same price as the 5g Mini Bow. I would go with the bigger tank just because you could have Elvis and a school of neons or cardinals. A glass tank doesnt scratch as easily and you could get a filter that is adjustable (aquaclear) and would be the right size for the tank. Its your decision, but I'm just telling what I would do. :%)

Last edited by GirlieGirl8519 at 27-Dec-2005 22:56

*Kristin*

The tank is not glass it is called like Acrylic, thats what worrys me about the tank, will it stain? Is the filter good?

I never said the male betta with anything!]:|I am asking what other things would look nice in a 5g!I think I will get it.

a thing to remember is that small tanks are harder to maintain than larger tanks.

like stated male bettas dont usually live with females in the same tank. however their are exceptions, but i still don't recommend it unless u have seen alot of bettas and can predict their every move.


plastic plants do provide a treat to the bettas fins, so live plants would be better. but lately companys have been making "soft" plastic plants. with this yes more money, but better.

a snail shouldn't be able to get out.

and the filter should have an adjustment setting. though it is still alittle strong, he should be fine.

as with tankmates with most bettas they have different personallitys, and with this aggression levels.
in this tank, try white cloud minnows, and maybe a otto.

with ghost shrimps some bettas may eat them.

I've never had trouble with lines, but then again my tank isnt a mini bow, nor does it have a filter, so I have to change partial water alot. If you do regular water changes though, I wouldn't worry about it.

I would stay away from a duo of females. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesnt. Some females can be overly aggressive depending on how you aquired them. Typically, if they were raised in the same tank they do alright. If they were in tose tiny jars at the petstore, I wouldnt attempt it. Thats just from my experience, and Im sure others would have a more positive thing to say.

I would go with the lemon tetras. If you add snails though, be prepared to have themm multiply!

Inky

i house my betta in a 2.5 mini bow i think its great i did replace the wisper filter with a small aqua land sponge the wisper left a film on top