Clare's 4 Gal Nano Tank (Lots of Pics)

[Clare12345]

Okay here is the tank. My camera doesn't upload to my computer yet so I took some pics with my webcam .
The betta is a temporary guest only! (Hopefully )
And.... What is this plant?

Specs: 4 gallon Finnex Deluxe with canister filter
26 watts
1 plant - unknown!
and 1 Half Moon Betta

To come: ADA aquasoil, HC cuba, Roseafolia (hopefully if I can get it to stay small) and some kinds of decorations/rocks. In the future I'll have a different fish in here. Maybe tetras. Oh and I want to buy some red root floater.

[Diegosaenz]

It looks nice, god I still cant decide between the Finnex 4 gallon and the Cube Garden Mini... argh

[Clare12345]

I love this Finnex 4 gallon. I'm so used to not being able to see the fish as I look around to the side of the fish tank, but this one has bowed corners so I can see the inside all the time. Its really refreshing. You can kind of see the effect in my picture.

[VincentK]

You should point the spraybar straight up or towards the surface, so the betta doesn't get stressed out by the flow.

[F22]

now i want to set mine up!!!

[Clare12345]

So what do you all recommend? Putting in the DIY CO2 now or after I get my substrate and other plants in the mail? I have 1 red plant (which may be ludwiga, see the pic). I'm trying to keep the fish to plant ratio about equal for now before I get any other plants, so maybe I can wait on the CO2.
When I put the plant in for the first time yesterday I dosed Excel and Trace ferts. How often should I do Excel? And the trace? It could be a week before I get my substrate and the HC.

Edit: By the way I added two clay pots for now to ease up the flow of the filter on the betta. It sure does have a fast flow! Too bad I can't turn it down. Thanks Vincent!

[VincentK]

Put in the CO2 after you get your other substrate and plants, that way, you can get the most use out of the CO2, that plant should be fine. If you're doing DIY CO2 you probably don't need to do Excel on such a small tank. What I did was dose trace every other day, but I know some people like following a schedule.

[Clare12345]

Ok. I'll keep the Excel for every once in a while and wait until I get the other plants to start the DIY CO2. I'll try for the trace every other day and see what happens. Thanks!

[dacrax07]

Great looking betta! Can't wait to see how this turns out. Try getting some large leafed plants since bettas enjoy resting on them once in a while.

[Clare12345]

I will get some large leafed plants, good idea.
Also, I tried pointing the spraybars up slightly, and then up all the way. The current is way too strong for the betta either way, even with them pointing up straight into the air. And then I'll get water on the light.
What do you suggest I do? Maybe I will try adding another piece onto the spraybar. It came with 2 pieces. One short and another short. I only have one on there now, if I use the other one it will decrease the flow slightly from the one, but still not the overall flow. I'm suprised there's not a way to turn down the flow on the canister. If anyone knows a way please let me know!

Edit: I have added the extension of the spraybar. It helps to reduce the flow. I think once I get enough plants in there the fish will be very happy.

[Clare12345]

I just went in the kitchen to get something and saw my fish lounging on the only plant I have looking very funny. I can tell she/he really wants more plants. I have some in the mail coming. Maybe I can get some more at the LFS too...



Before you know it I'll have a tank full of plants and no substrate!

Haven't caught her resting in the pots though. I think there's still plenty of current in there.

[Clare12345]

Does anyone know how to turn down the flow rate on this canister filter? It came with the Finnex setup. It says it filters 96gph! That's wayy too much!
What do I do?
Thanks,
Clare

[VincentK]

What I did with my Zoo Med was point it straight up at the surface, the water wouldn't come out, but the Zoo Med has a slower flow, try pointing it straight up, and if it doesn't splash out, then just keep it, or you can try pointing it backwards at the side.

[FooDog]

I pointed my bar towards the glass instead of shooting outwards. Works perfectly. I think its high flow because they were meant for coral tanks.

[|GTO|]

Drilling a hole in the end cap of the spraybar and either drilling more holes in the spray bar or enlarging them will also help reduce turbulence without throttling the filters' pump which can create a lot of stress.

I would start with redirecting it and then taking the steps I have described before you try to reduce the output of the filter itself.