15-20 Gallon?

[GoldfishAttentionSpan]

Hey all. I currently have one betta (Pocky), 3 WCMs, and one mystery snail (Sluggo) in a 10 US gallon tank.

The tank is OLD! At least 10 years, probably more, with original filter and hood. I decided to go ahead and get it a new filter, probably one for a 20 gallon so to overfilter it. I got the filter, but the light fixture of the hood has broken, so I would have to get a new hood. The heater went missing, but I never really needed it. The filter was 25 dollars, and the new hood would be 30. I might as well get an entirely new set-up, and heck, why not upgrade while I'm at it!

But the betta, would he be ok in a 15 or 20 gallon tank? I will probably switch to a sand substrate, and I want to add some corydoras and shrimp eventually. (Maybe add 2 more WCMs, we'll see.)

I have heard that a bigger tank can be hard on a betta because they feel the need to partol the entire thing? He is a vieltail, so he does have the heavy fins.

 

[Jaded12]

Thats a tough one since it depends so much on the individual personality of the fish. Does he constantly patrol the 10 gallon? if not you should be ok with the larger tank. One word of caution, watch the white clouds, I'll be surprised if they don't nip up your bettas lovely fins, how long have you have them in together?

 

[t.ropical_m.istx3]

also, depending on his personality, you may not be able to put cories or shrimp in with him. my one betta was fine with the shrimp that was with him until it died (i got fifteen "feeder" ghosts as that's all they had...three survived) and when i tried to put another one it, he attacked it.

once again, the tank size depends on the betta. as it was stated, don't upgrade if he constantly patrols now as mine do, so i wouldn't risk bumping mine up.

 

[GoldfishAttentionSpan]

I thought the WCMs were supposed to be ok with bettas? I researched this tank and planned it out beforehand (of course, revising a little as I go along), and I didn't see anything about the WCMs nipping bettas.... pity, because I really like them! They have been together for about a week, and the minnows and betta pretty much ignore each other, other then once in awhile the betta will have a go at a minnow, but they are so much quicker, they get away immediately.

I have heard about bettas being iffy with shrimp (and pretty much everything, sometimes) so my alternate plan is to put a divider in the 5 gallon, and have the 2 bettas in there. (Ronin the betta is in his own 5 gallon right now.)

He seems to go about the tank like we do in a house. He will chill in the cave for a bit, go for a swim until he finds a snail to harass, then go chill in the jar when he gets tired.

I think I will upgrade, and if things don't seem well for him, he will join Ronin in the 5 gallon.

 

[Jaded12]

Sounds like a plan Good lucK!

 

[GoldfishAttentionSpan]

I don't know if this should be a different topic, but I have developed a liking for harliquin rasborosas. (spelling?) Could maybe 5 of these be ok with a betta? I don't think they are fin-nippers, but I haven't had them before.