planning to convert a 2ft x-marine tank to a simple freshwater tank...
short term idea - specimen tank - 1 single betta! later - maybe betta + tetra..

so guys.. what kind of filtration system should i use.. currently i have a undergravel filter + hang on.. i think i wanna skip the UGF.. and just use pebbles or sand as substrates.. is this possible..? or is it more harm then useful..?


regards..

male betta cant mix with tetra.
betta is aggresive and it will attack small size tetra.

i think ur undergravel filter is ok.
but dun use the hang on filter cos the powerful power head will suck in the tetra especially in the nite and when u off the light.

my all tetra were killed by the power head.
so i hate to use that kind of filter,
i advise u use UGF or submersible filter.

soli,i dun noe whether hang on filter =overhead filter???????

but i am sure that u better not using overhead filter cos it wil kill tetra.

hang on filter and overhead filter are different.

I am using hang on filter in my planted tank. They doing fine with my tetra. If you are using over head filter. You might need to tight the sponge on the sucker to prevent the tetra suck by the power head.

btw, i keeping male and female betta with my tetra. My bettas are not fight with any tetra. coz they do feel like lost in space when u keeping them in bigger tank with other fishes.

It's great you're trying out something different, but since u have an existing UGF, it would be better to stick with it. If you want better filtration methods, why not combine both systems UGF and a hang on or top filter?

Both hang on and top/overhead filter is different. A hang on filter literally hangs on the side of yr tank creates a waterfall cascading back into yr tank. It's good providing surface water movement thus creating more oxygen for your fish but lousy in terms of cultivating nitrifying bacteria as waterflow is too fast and there's limited space for bacteria colonisation.

A top filter (comprised of a rectangular box and a power head submersed in water) sucks up a lot of muck quickly bypassing the filter wool and charcoal placed inside the top filter before passing water out back into yr tank. It cleans very well while providing chemical filtration, but also not fantastic for nitrifying bacteria. If you're worried that these tetras get sucked up (usually doesn't happen unless yr power head suction gaps are large and very powerful), you might want to use a green mesh and tie it round. Anyway, these tetras got brains and prob won't swim round that area!

However, with both UGF and either of the other filters, you can be assured of getting maximum filtration for your tank not to mention clearer water and healthier fish. Though a bit more work (cleaning 2 filters) but in the long run, gives you satisfaction having happy and healthy pets, isn't it?

its one helluva long time to post the result of the tank i made but hey.. it's better then nothing.. :P

i did set up a freshwater tank with what was left after i sold off most of my marine stuff..

the 2 ft tank had:
Fish - 1 crown tail, 2 female bettas, 1 pearl gourami and 6 black tail red platties.. there was simply no infighting between any of them with 1 exception.. the females keep nibling at each other.. i have never read about females fighting in community tanks(they are suppose to have ample space). it was wierd.. maybe they were figthing over the single crowntail male :P anyway i separated the females betta.. there was ample room for everybody, 1 large drift wood, 2 live plant, 6 fake plants and a small clay pot lying on its side acting as cave, my crowntail really loved that pot..
filtration? intank filter which i cleaned every 4/5 days..

in the end i got bored and sold off everything and donated the fishes to my dads pond except for the crowntail..

1 thing i learned about this experiment is bettas dont really like large tanks as they are not good swimmers.. really! the crowntail was having a tough time moving around especially swimming against the current of my filter,

large fins + swimming against current = tired fish

guess that's all i have to say.. i might've miss something so shoot if you have any questions..

Reef

I would not put sand in the tank at all because it's a pain. Your water will always be cloudy and merky and it will take several hours for it to settle again. hope this helps!