Reddit reviews Tetra 77848 Whisper Air Pump 20 to 40 Gallons, for Aquariums, Quiet, Powerful Airflow
We found 11 Reddit comments about Tetra 77848 Whisper Air Pump 20 to 40 Gallons, for Aquariums, Quiet, Powerful Airflow. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
POWERFUL Tetra Whisper Air Pump provides dependable airflow to your aquariumQUIET Patented dome shape suspended motor and sound-dampening chambers for quiet operationELIMINATES VIBRATION Designed with a wide footprint and rubber feetAVAILABLE SIZES Select the proper size for your tank – 10 20 and 40-gallon pumps have single air outlets 60 and 100-gallon pumps feature dual outlets
Hello! Welcome to the wonderful world of betta keeping! I'm a bit late to the game, since this was posted a bit ago, and you've already recieved advice, but I'd like to offer up some as well.
As everyone has already said, it's a pretty big misconception for nearly all new betta keepers that bettas can be kept in small spaces without a filter or heater. This stems from the belief that bettas live in mud puddles, when it couldn't be further from the truth.
Bettas come from vast rice paddies, that will usually never dip below knee height and stretches for miles on end. In the dry season, the paddies do tend have lower water levels, but certainly not puddles. It's a densely planted ecosystem with moving water, and natural filters, ie. The plants and bacteria.
Since you're new to fish keeping (I assume, but apologies if I am wrong) you may not be aware of something called the "Nitrogen Cycle." While it may be confusing at first, essentially the beneficial bacteria that breaks down your fishes waste into ammonia, then nitrites, and then nitrates. This process is crucial for your fishes health and well being, and is very important in the fish keeping world, but I'll get into the specifics a bit more later in this comment.
While the "recommended" amount of space for a betta is commonly agreed to be 2.5 gallons, which is perfectly fine as a bare minimum, I would honestly not recommend such a small space for a beginner. This is because of the nitrogen cycle. I would go with a 5 gallon tank, or even a 10 gallon, which will be much easier to cycle and keep your fish much safer during the process.
As for the nitrogen cycle itself, the process happens on it's own, but you have to be the one to keep your fish safe during it. Basically, ammonia and nitrites are deadly to your fish, and for the first few weeks, these will be all too common. What your aiming for is the much safer, but still harmful in large quantities, and manageable nitrites at the end of the cycle.
The nitrogen cycle starts with the addition of ammonia into a new tank. This can be done in 2 ways, fish in or fish out. What you'll be doing is a fish in cycle. Beneficial bacteria will begin to grow in your tank to break down waste and convert them into the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates. The bacteria grow on surfaces, such as decor, gravel, filter, heater, glass, and is NOT present in the water itself. This means that for the next few weeks, you gotta stay on top of your water change game.
50% water changes every other day for 2 weeks. 30% water changes every other day for 2 weeks. 40% water changes about every 3-4 days for a week. 30% water changes about once or twice a week at the end of the cycle. I know it seems like a lot, but your fish will appreciate it.
For more information on the Nitrogen Cycle, you can search it on google, and a helpful video to watch on it is KGTropicals youtube video "everything you need to know about the nitrogen cycle." They break it down so well and have more visual representations, so I definitely recommend it.
Some things to consider getting for your fish as well, and things that will help your cycle a TON. I'll be adding links for visual representation, as well as trying to find you the best prices I can.
No links for this one since shipping a tank is a PAIN, but 5 and 10 gallon tanks can be bought from places like walmart, or local stores, or petsmart and Petco. I'm not sure if petco is still having their dollar per gallon sale, but a 10 gallon tank would only be $10.
https://www.amazon.com/Safe-250-g-8-8-oz/dp/B0002A5WOC/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?keywords=seachem+prime&qid=1572116532&sr=8-8
To clean a sponge filter is the easiest thing. While your changing tank water, out some in a clean bucket, take your sponge filter out, put in bucket of removed tank water, squeeze sponge filter, put back in tank. It also holds an awesome amount of the good beneficial bacteria and will not lose it when you clean it, unlike changing cartridges for a hang on back filter. They also aerate the water, bringing more oxygen into it, and don't create a high flow that will tire your betta.
https://www.amazon.com/Lefunpets-Biochemical-Sponge-Breeding-Aquarium/dp/B07VM8DN5Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?keywords=sponge+filter&qid=1572116736&sr=8-7
https://www.amazon.com/Tetra-Whisper-Pump-Gallon-Aquariums/dp/B004PB8SMM/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=fish%2Btank%2Bair%2Bpump&qid=1572116792&sr=8-3&th=1&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Penn-Plax-Aquariums-Flexible-Standard/dp/B0002563MW/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=airline+tubing&qid=1572116832&sr=8-3
Hang on back filters can be used too though, I just don't find them as reliable.
https://www.amazon.com/Tetra-Whisper-Power-Filter-Three-Stage/dp/B001CHXJSK/ref=mp_s_a_1_16?keywords=fish+tank+filter&qid=1572117085&sr=8-16
Be sure to use a hang on back appropriate for your tank size. Bettas can tire easily of water flow is too high, and in some cases you may still need to baffle the filter.
https://youtu.be/Hse7F3pvHqI
https://www.amazon.com/HITOP-Aquarium-Reptiles-Thermometer-50W-Grey/dp/B07MJJJ4QQ/ref=sxin_2_ac_m_pm?ac_md=1-0-VW5kZXIgJDIw-ac_d_pm&keywords=fish+tank+heater&pd_rd_i=B07MJJJ4QQ&pd_rd_r=429ee2a8-3699-45aa-8e2b-e30164b14a2a&pd_rd_w=uFCrj&pd_rd_wg=125c4&pf_rd_p=808372f4-ce06-4458-88ef-16b605aa053a&pf_rd_r=T4YHMVDAP5EAQSAGXKJV&psc=1&qid=1572117367
https://www.amazon.com/Northfin-Betta-Bits-Pellet-Package/dp/B01C1ARV3K/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=northfin+betta+bits&qid=1572117834&sprefix=northfin+&sr=8-2
https://www.amazon.com/Fluval-A6577-Tropical-Granules-Medium/dp/B07194GD1F/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=fluval+bug+bites&qid=1572117868&sprefix=fluval+bug&sr=8-4
I use a mix of Aqueon, Northfin, and Fluval for some variety in my bettas diets along with frozen blood worms. They love them. I've heard Hikari betta food is good too.
I don't recommend the generic foods sold at walmart. The pellets are too big, and the formula is low quality. It'll keep your betta alive, but just isn't great for them. Also, flake foods are a no no. It's just too messy, the fish doesn't eat all of it, and just isn't worth it.
Lastly, you want to decide what kind of decor you will go with. If you go artificial, be sure to use soft, silk plants so your bettas fins do not get hurt.
I recommend live plants always though, cause they help a lot in keeping your tank clean, produce oxygen, and will help absorb some of nitrates in the water. All around good stuff. Easy plants to take care of are anubias, java ferns, java moss, water wisteria, and floating plants like water lettuce.
Bettas also need hiding places. This can be anything really. From the decor sold at walmart, natural looking rock caves, or even a terracotta pot. It doesn't really matter, as long as it doesn't have sharp points.
The decor is up to you and what you like.
Ummmmm, I can't think of anything else really. But if you need any help with anything, feel free to reach out! A lot of us are passionate about our quirky little dudes and gals and will be more than happy to help with anything you need advice on. And use the internet to your advantage too! There's TONS of good information and videos out there now, and you can find what you're looking for at the touch of a screen now.
And also also, please do not feel bad about your start at betta keeping. We all start somewhere, and more than likely, we have all made this very same mistake. I know I did. The best thing to do now is to just work on upgrading your little dude and providing the best care you can for him. He'll start to heal up and REALLY shine.
Apologies for extremely long message, but I hope this helps and wish you and your betta the best of luck!! ☺️
Best advice is to take your time and buy what will make you happy. You'll only spend more money in the long run if you compromise now. Luckily, not everything needs bought at once. Tank, filter, and heater are necessary purchases now. Lighting and decor can be figured out more slowly.
I can recommend what I'd get in your position.
If you're going to buy a kit, this is a good one. Personally, I like this heater, but they do sell a cheaper version. So, about $100 for the tank, heater, filter, and light.
If you want to buy the parts separately, you can get a 10 gallon tank for $10-$15 or cheaper checking craigslist. You'll also need some kind of lid to cover the tank. You can buy glass ones or some people get a piece of glass or acrylic cut to cover it. Tank + lid: $25-$30
Aquaclears are my favorite filters for my tanks, but you could use a sponge filter. You'd need an air pump for the sponge one. So, $20-$25 for a filter.
Real plants are nice, but not necessary. You can do fine with fake ones, just make sure the edges aren't sharp. If you do want plants, the Spec V light should be plenty for low light plants. If you want to buy the light separately, this or this would be fine. I've had a Nicrew one on my larger tank before and it's enough for low light plants.
Or you could just get a clamp on lamp from the store and a daylight bulb. That whole set up would be about $10.
Until you get a new set up, I would recommend water changes at least once a day, if not more. I would also strongly recommend buying a water testing kit.
http://www.amazon.com/Leca-Clay-Orchid-Hydroponic-Media/dp/B004IAP7JW/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=8-1&keywords=hydroton
http://www.amazon.com/Tetra-77848-Whisper-Pump-40-Gallon/dp/B004PB8SMM/ref=sr_sp-btf_title_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1409410615&sr=8-6&keywords=aquarium+air+pump
Best of luck!
Hmm... the container is a plastic storage box I had lying around at home which I spraypainted black. The container was less than $5 if I recall correctly. Black spraypaint (make sure to get one which is designed to adhere to plastic) was about $5.
Air pump is this guy which was about $15.
Light is one of these bulbs, housed in one of these reflectors. $18 and $11 respectively.
Then the air stone, clay pebbles, net pots, air tubing, etc were all leftovers I had lying around.
All told maybe $50?
Don't bother buying a hang on back or something fancier, for just snails buy an air pump and a sponge filter. Definitely fill the tank all the way, and you'll want to do water changes every few weeks (maybe 10%) once the filter is in. Do you have any idea what kind the snails are, if not would you provide a picture.
Someone down the thread suggested a bare bottom tank, and I would recommend the opposite. With sand many snails will burrow and forage for food and what not. Also if you get a filter going, then the poop won't settle so much and will also degrade. That way you shouldn't need to clean the bottom, just change a bit of water every once in a while
Edit: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004PB8SMM/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1521640650&sr=8-5&keywords=aquarium+air+pump&dpPl=1&dpID=417Lgh1JmoL&ref=plSrch
And
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005VAFGKI/ref=mp_s_a_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1521640748&sr=8-13&keywords=sponge+filter
Dood great idea! I got the medium size but my pregs molly died...and thought defeats the purpose of having it. I paid $5 for a tetra air pump.
[Tetra air pump. $4](Tetra Whisper Air Pump, For 20 to 40 Gallon Aquariums https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004PB8SMM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3C1VDbDXPN0S3)
[Marina breeding box. Only one that has to connect a flowing water to oxygenate.](Marina Hang-On Breeding Box, Medium https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005QRDDJ2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ME1VDbJADGW00)
http://www.amazon.com/Tetra-77848-Whisper-Pump-40-Gallon/dp/B004PB8SMM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1418973697&sr=8-2&keywords=aquarium+air+pump
http://www.amazon.com/Sleek-Airline-Tubing-25-Foot-Black/dp/B001D4XTUU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1418973746&sr=8-2&keywords=air+tubing
http://www.amazon.com/Jardin-Aquarium-Distributor-Splitter-Diameter/dp/B00A0GOL6I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418973765&sr=8-1&keywords=air+tubing+splitter
http://www.amazon.com/1-inch-Mineral-Release-Aquarium-Airstone/dp/B00CQGXBJ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418973776&sr=8-1&keywords=air+stone&pebp=1418973778694
All of those would combine to make one rig that could support up to 5 air stones.
The Pump pushes air through some of the tubing to the splitter, then the valves that are open (in this case 2) have air go through them and into more tubing. Then at the end of the tubing is the air stone that is in the tank and bubbles to provide oxygen for the fish.
Sure, sponge filters are great for fish that don't like flow in the tank. All you need is an air pump like this, some airline tube, and the actual sponge filter. The air stone pulls the water through the sponge. The sponge provides surface area for bacteria to grow on. Dead simple. Safe to use in any aquarium type I can think of. They're pretty simple to DIY together too, but they're so cheap, I don't see the point. Your LFS probably has them sitting in their tanks.
I have a tetra whisper like this one and a sponge filter like this one on my bedroom tank and I can't hear it.
Yep...
BTW here's a great sponge filter (the M size) would be perfect in the middle (or wherever you prefer to place it) of your 38g tank: https://www.amazon.com/Hygger-Aquarium-Sponges-Submersible-Salt-Water/dp/B07RKT6QPV/
It comes with an extra set of spare sponges, and the ceramic ball filter media for the dual chambers, and is rated for 15-55g so would be perfect for your tank.
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You'll need an air pump to run it: https://www.amazon.com/Tetra-Whisper-Pump-Gallon-Aquariums/dp/B004PB8SMM/
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and some good quality airline tubing to hook it up: https://www.amazon.com/Flexible-Airline-Aquariums-Terrariums-Hydroponics/dp/B079DFWLX4/
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And a set of accessories like this: https://www.amazon.com/Pawfly-Aquarium-Distributor-Accessories-Connector/dp/B06XFSSTZB/ (the two-way control valve is like having a free "bleed-valve" in case you need to divert some air pressure out to reduce bubbles coming out of the sponge filter, without damaging your air pump with back-pressure). The Check-Valve is a must have to prevent water siphoning out of the tank in case of a power outage. (Here's the concept of a bleed valve explained: https://fishlab.com/bleed-valve/ )
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And maybe you know this already but Fishless cycle is the way to go: http://injaf.org/articles-guides/beginners-guides/the-nitrogen-cycle-and-the-fishless-cycle-getting-your-aquarium-ready-for-fish/
Thanks a lot for the info, I'm gathering all I need to make a DIY system now. One last question hopefully (though I might pick your brain in PM's down the line) do you suggest going with one pump for each bucket or one for both? I'm deciding on which of these to get but I'm not sure which size I'd need since they're rated in how many gallons the "aquarium" holds instead of LPH, and depending on whether I go with one or two. Thoughts?