Okay so I've finally had enough of my stupid Betta tank, it looks marvelous, but is impossible to use. It's a custom made tank with 2 removable dividers so you can keep up to 3 Bettas, it has it's own built in sump and overflow at the back to hide the heater and filter is very nice and compact. It's also impossible to clean, I can't even pull the filter media out without spilling all the gunk collected on the media into the tank, the space is too small to fit a gravel siphon in, to big to pick up and pour out, and not wide enough to use a bowl of jar to scoop water out, I've been doing water changes with an airline, so I've finally had it LOL. I pad $80 for the silly thing, am going to see if I can get $60+ but selling it off.

So I only have one Betta left now, the other Bettas I've had were mainly pet store rescues but this dude was a specifically ordered Betta that cost a pretty penny too, I'm hoping he won't cark it on me LOL. Gorgeous colours this deep fuschia and dark turquoise blue which absolutely glows, he's a VT. I'm not planning on getting any more Bettas either

So I want to get him a new tank/bowl/container, and had some questions.

If I went with a bowl, what about filtration/heating doesn't it look ugly with the cords coming out the top? how do people who keep theirs in bowls get around that? (the bowl I'm looking at is somewhere between 2.5-3g)

What are the dimensions of your standard 2.5g tank? (so I know what I'm looking for)
What are the dimensions of a standard 5g tank? (as above)

For filtration will a standard sponge filter do? or do I need a power filter?
What about one of those goldfish UGF's? that are circular for bowls, or really small rectangles? are they okay?
If I get a power filter can anyone suggest one available cheaply in Oz that has a really slow flow?

What plants do Bettas like best? I was thinking Elodea, Hornwort and Java moss...
There okay with sand right?


I've always just used the all in one custom tank, which is bare bottom and useless for growing plants, hence all the questions, it's also designed to have virtually no flow for Betta fish...


Thanks
Emma

Regular fish bowls aren't really designed for heaters or filters. I am thinking of getting a Baby Biorb (It's a bowl shape, but pretty fancy). They are pretty expensive, but come with filtration, and lighting and look really nice. You can put a heater in there, but you may need a special clip or something to put it on the side. I think there is something specifically for Biorbs, so you can attach a heater. The Baby Biorb is 15 Litres.

I used to have a Betta tank which was a rectangle, regular kind of a tank. It was 10 Litres, and about 16x30cm I think. You can buy a small hang on filter, which sits on the outside of the tank.

As for plants, people on this site usually say that Bettas love java moss. Mine aren't too excited about it, but then that might just be then. They like any natural plants really. If you get any plastic plants, be careful not to get any of the spikey kind, which could damage your Betta's fins.

Good luck, it would be great to see a photo when you have your new set up for your gorgeous Betta.

most people who keep bettas in bowls don't have any filtration and just carry out regular 90%+ water changes. one possibility for heating a bowl is to get a reptile heating pad and stand the bowl on that. it will keep the water a bit warmer, but you can't really regulate it in the same way as a normal aquarium heater.

my tank is 14 long by 8 wide by 9 high and holds approx 3.5 us gal. just for size reference.

Is that in inches of cm?

These arent actually fish bowls, I found them with this group of stuff which seems to go together as a water feature. Hmmm the cords do look like they'd be ugly and I'd rather use a proper heater so will cross that off my list.

New question, how would a Betta fair in a 20g all to it's self no other fish? I just remembered we still had the old Mirabello which hasn't been used in yonks, a good scrub, soak and rinse and it should be good as new.

Baby Biorbs cost over $300 round here, not really an option....

This post has been edited by cuticom: Nov 1 2007, 08:16 PM

sorry that was inches must have been tired

20g would probably be o.k as long as it is not to high. I had my first Betta in a tank that was 60cm high and it was a long way for him to go up for air. Especially when he was trying to rest at the bottom. Eventually though, he would attach himself to the top of a plant near the surface, and sway in the current from the filter. The poor thing, I didn't know anything about Bettas and got some bad info from the first LFS.

That would be pretty good! As said make sure its not too tall.
Not to cause any offence but im glad you didnt put it in one of those smaller tanks.

It's a 20g Tall, so about 40 cm high. Is that too high? I can always get a 2.5-5g tank (priced them today, all about $20) it's just the Mirabello's there and it isn't being used and I reckon a betta'd love the extra room to swim.

adam which smaller tanks do you mean? the baby biorb? or just those silly little less-then-a-litre-death-traps?

The Baby Biorbs are $180 here in Adelaide, so I think they are pretty overpriced where you are. Pretty expensive for the size even at $180, but still on my wish list.

As for the 20g (approx. 76 Litre) tank, I'm wondering what filter you will be using. I had a 100L tank, and the filter was too powerful for my Betta. He had to fight the current. If you already have the filter handy, you could give it a go, but if it means buying a new filter, I think a smaller tank with a filter to suit may be your best bet. Just my opinion though.

I've got plenty of filters around, it'll just be a matter of working out what works best, because I have a large number of tanks I always have spare stuff, since it'll just be the lone Betta in 20g I was thinking of just a small sponge filter, or going without a filter entirely and letting plants and water changes do the job.

It'd also still be cheaper to get a new filter then buy an all new smaller tank. An underpowered filter for a betta might cost ten dollars, or the materials to make a spray bar would cost maybe $3 if I went with one of the power filters.

you could always use the tank you have and just not fill it so high. hey presto shallower tank! and if he's on his own you probably could get away with no filter, especially in the larger volume of water. just remember to do frequent water changes and water testing.