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My daughter has a male betta in a 5 gal. tank in her room.
Here's what she's got;
5 gal. acrylic tank With hood
25 watt heater (78 degrees F)
Marineland duetto mini in-tank filter

She does 40-50% weekly water changes

Since the duetto seems to be discontinued, we can't find replacement carbon inserts and filter sponges anywhere. We've just been rinsing the sponge pads in some tank water and I've been using part of a media bag to make up a little carbon insert that fits in the slot where the plastic carbon insert is supposed to go.

Our question is, is the carbon necessary, or can we get by without it and avoid the hassle of making up the carbon inserts?

Thanks

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/hesters479/brookesbetta.jpg

Last edited by fish479 at 20-Nov-2004 12:39

I don't carbon on any of my tanks, and everything gets along fine. Carbon will remove any meds, smell and color from water. For instance, if you have driftwood, and you don't like the tannin-stained water, carbon can remove it.

Carbon is also a place where benifitial bacteria to grow, but the sponge will provide enough room just fine.

So to anwer your question, no you don't need to run carbon.

I think 10-25% water changes will do fine for a 5 gallon tank with a betta. If you are worried get a small filter for it like the ones that pump like 30-50 gph.TO answer you ? tho no you dont need any carbon in that tank. i have a 1gallon betta tank w/no carbon and it does fine. good luck



fish1

Last edited by fish1 at 21-Nov-2004 20:10