A betta's hammock: how to keep it in place

[Petunia]

The suction cup just won't stick to the glass anymore, no matter how much I clean it. I'm looking for an aquarium-safe solution that'll get it to hold again.

[coltin]

I've found that boiling the suction cup for a minute can sometimes do the trick, but it doesn't always work. If that doesn't pan out, you might want to look into buying a replacement suction cup - some pet stores carry them. Alternatively, you could try lowering the water level, drying the glass thoroughly, and then using silicone to attach the suction cup. Give it about a week to dry completely and it should be good to go.

[fineman]

I took a different approach with my Betta setup. Instead of relying on suction cups, I used a long-stemmed clear wine glass, inverting it in the 5-gallon tank. I then attached a small Anubias plant to the bottom of the glass, which became my Betta's go-to spot to rest.

[infold]

The suction cup saga - it's the bane of my aquarium life. I've had it with these suction cups on heaters, thermometers, and even replacement ones. They all work for a bit, then it's back to square one. @coltin's suggestion to boil them does offer some temporary relief, I've tried it myself, but the results are short-lived. The trick is to shape them while they're still hot and pliable, molding them into perfect little cones. I miss the old Marineland suction cups with the tab for "burping" - those were the best, but they're nowhere to be found now. When attaching a suction cup, make sure the glass is spotless - no algae, no slime. But let's face it, the only real solution is to fabricate a hanger that hooks onto the tank's frame. Good luck, folks.

[rockyfox]

Magnetic attachment could be a viable solution. It's worth exploring, perhaps there's a way to utilize a strong magnet to secure it in place.

[infold]

Magnetic attachment could be a viable solution. It's worth exploring, perhaps there's a way to utilize a strong magnet to secure it in place.

Magnetic attachments, I like where this is going. I'm gonna hold off on that phone call to Penn-Plax for now, let's see where this idea takes us.

[rockyfox]

You could encase a magnet in a non-toxic material, then super glue it to the hammock. Place another magnet on the outside of the tank - it might not be the prettiest thing, but at least you're done with suction cups.

[rockyfox]

The suction cup saga - it's the bane of my aquarium life. I've had it with these suction cups on heaters, thermometers, and even replacement ones. They all work for a bit, then it's back to square one. @coltin's suggestion to boil them does offer some temporary relief, I've tried it myself, but the results are short-lived. The trick is to shape them while they're still hot and pliable, molding them into perfect little cones. I miss the old Marineland suction cups with the tab for "burping" - those were the best, but they're nowhere to be found now. When attaching a suction cup, make sure the glass is spotless - no algae, no slime. But let's face it, the only real solution is to fabricate a hanger that hooks onto the tank's frame. Good luck, folks.

I've got a magnetized thermometer, works a treat.

[infold]

The real issue I've found is the outer rim of the suction cup curling up and letting air in - it's like an air leak. Most suction cups seem to be made of soft plastic these days, rather than rubber, and that's where the problem lies.

[whetu]

Do Bettas actually use those hammocks?