2.5 Gallon Mini Bow--suggestions?

[ny2oz]

I've had multiple male bettas throughout the years...but, after a few without one, I decided to get a 2.5 gallon mini bow from petco and the Red Sea Nano filter, and a little heater. I also am ordering the Indian leaves for the tank, and Java moss. After reading about on here, I am wondering if 2.5 gallon is too small? I've had a betta once in a 10 gallon, and he didnt even use half of it. I really don't have THAT much room (considering I have a 36 gallon community tank), but I just want to make for a happy fish! Can anyone reassure me, or let me know if I should return it (I ordered online and should be delivered today or tomorrow)...I did not go fish shopping yet, because I want to let cycle and wait til plants come).

 

[aly_starh]

I've had multiple male bettas throughout the years...but, after a few without one, I decided to get a 2.5 gallon mini bow from petco and the Red Sea Nano filter, and a little heater. I also am ordering the Indian leaves for the tank, and Java moss. After reading about on here, I am wondering if 2.5 gallon is too small? I've had a betta once in a 10 gallon, and he didnt even use half of it. I really don't have THAT much room (considering I have a 36 gallon community tank), but I just want to make for a happy fish! Can anyone reassure me, or let me know if I should return it (I ordered online and should be delivered today or tomorrow)...I did not go fish shopping yet, because I want to let cycle and wait til plants come).

I think thats around 10 uk litres, my first betta started off in a 10l tank, he lived there happily, or so i thought. I have since then moved him into my 65l community and he loves it, always busy patrolling that tank!

Have you thought of shrimp, you will have to cycle the filter first.

 

[ny2oz]

I think thats around 10 uk litres, my first betta started off in a 10l tank, he lived there happily, or so i thought. I have since then moved him into my 65l community and he loves it, always busy patrolling that tank!

Have you thought of shrimp, you will have to cycle the filter first.

Actually, I did think of adding one or two ghost shrimp in there for cycle..and just as "tnak mates". I would pop him in my ciommunity tank..but it has a pretty strong filter, and guppies, and bosemani rainbows. So I don't think that would be ideal for him. If I upgrade to a 5 gallon, then I have to start exchanging everything to upgrade. It's mixed about 50/50 that 2.5 gallons is good or not.

 

[aly_starh]

I think thats around 10 uk litres, my first betta started off in a 10l tank, he lived there happily, or so i thought. I have since then moved him into my 65l community and he loves it, always busy patrolling that tank!

Have you thought of shrimp, you will have to cycle the filter first.

Actually, I did think of adding one or two ghost shrimp in there for cycle..and just as "tnak mates". I would pop him in my ciommunity tank..but it has a pretty strong filter, and guppies, and bosemani rainbows. So I don't think that would be ideal for him. If I upgrade to a 5 gallon, then I have to start exchanging everything to upgrade. It's mixed about 50/50 that 2.5 gallons is good or not.

well, shrimp are a no-no when cycling they need to be introduced to a really mature tank, you could try a betta in the 2.5g untill you upgrade. Or how about snails?

 

[GuppyGoddess]

Just a bit of FYI: After you put in gravel and the heater, the 2.5 won't be quite 2.5 gallons anymore. It'll hold less water volume, meaning more frequent water changes. Also, the filter, even though the mini-bow description may say it's great for bettas, the current could still stress the fish. One of my bettas is in a 3-gallon Eclipse and I had to put filter media over the intake/out take to slow down the water for him. Now he is fine.

If you can afford to set up a 5-gallon system and have a place to put it, I'd go for that. If not, then I'd buy the Eclipse because it has .5 more gallons. For my bettas in smaller homes I change the water daily.

One of mine (female betta) is in a 10-gallon and she does look silly being so tiny that often we cannot find her. I gave her some tank mates to fill up the water space.

 

[ny2oz]

Just a bit of FYI: After you put in gravel and the heater, the 2.5 won't be quite 2.5 gallons anymore. It'll hold less water volume, meaning more frequent water changes. Also, the filter, even though the mini-bow description may say it's great for bettas, the current could still stress the fish. One of my bettas is in a 3-gallon Eclipse and I had to put filter media over the intake/out take to slow down the water for him. Now he is fine.

If you can afford to set up a 5-gallon system and have a place to put it, I'd go for that. If not, then I'd buy the Eclipse because it has .5 more gallons. For my bettas in smaller homes I change the water daily.

One of mine (female betta) is in a 10-gallon and she does look silly being so tiny that often we cannot find her. I gave her some tank mates to fill up the water space.

I've read about the currents so I also ordered the nano which is supposed to be good, and the heater is a little thing...but, I will measure to see if I can fit a 5 gallon. I';d rather not open a new tank and heater and filter, only to upgrade a few months later. While it's in the box I am trying to decide! thanks!

 

[GuppyGoddess]

Just a bit of FYI: After you put in gravel and the heater, the 2.5 won't be quite 2.5 gallons anymore. It'll hold less water volume, meaning more frequent water changes. Also, the filter, even though the mini-bow description may say it's great for bettas, the current could still stress the fish. One of my bettas is in a 3-gallon Eclipse and I had to put filter media over the intake/out take to slow down the water for him. Now he is fine.

If you can afford to set up a 5-gallon system and have a place to put it, I'd go for that. If not, then I'd buy the Eclipse because it has .5 more gallons. For my bettas in smaller homes I change the water daily.

One of mine (female betta) is in a 10-gallon and she does look silly being so tiny that often we cannot find her. I gave her some tank mates to fill up the water space.

I've read about the currents so I also ordered the nano which is supposed to be good, and the heater is a little thing...but, I will measure to see if I can fit a 5 gallon. I';d rather not open a new tank and heater and filter, only to upgrade a few months later. While it's in the box I am trying to decide! thanks!

Which heater did you purchase? For my 3-gallon I use a 25 watt Marineland and for my 2-gallon, I use a 7.5 watt hydro mini. Be sure to get a thermostate to keep an eye on the temperature and make sure the water is warm enough.

 

[ny2oz]

Which heater did you purchase? For my 3-gallon I use a 25 watt Marineland and for my 2-gallon, I use a 7.5 watt hydro mini. Be sure to get a thermostate to keep an eye on the temperature and make sure the water is warm enough.

Well, I purchased the same on for you got for your 2 gallon! But, the Red Sea Nano and that won't be enough if I decide to get a 5 gallon. I also wont know what filter to get either. I have a thermometer in my 36 gallon, but since I got a high quality marineland with a set temperature I dont really need the thermometer in there and can monitor the smaller setup.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi ny2oz

A 2 1/2 gallon tank is large enough for a betta. Since you already have a larger tank running, you can clone your new tank by taking a piece of cycled media from it and adding it to your new filter.

 

[kizno1]

a 2.5g tank isnt big enough you need 3g at the very very min 5g is best though.

 

[ny2oz]

Hi ny2oz

A 2 1/2 gallon tank is large enough for a betta. Since you already have a larger tank running, you can clone your new tank by taking a piece of cycled media from it and adding it to your new filter.

Wow...you have ALOT of tanks! But see, here's my point...some say 2.5 is big enough, some say must go with a 5 gallon. Yes good idea I can take my current aquarium water for the new one, but I just need to decide if I should upgrade..which would mean returning EVERYTHING!!!

 

[aly_starh]

Hi ny2oz

A 2 1/2 gallon tank is large enough for a betta. Since you already have a larger tank running, you can clone your new tank by taking a piece of cycled media from it and adding it to your new filter.

Wow...you have ALOT of tanks! But see, here's my point...some say 2.5 is big enough, some say must go with a 5 gallon. Yes good idea I can take my current aquarium water for the new one, but I just need to decide if I should upgrade..which would mean returning EVERYTHING!!!

You dont take the aqaurium water you take some of the media from the filter.
Also, could you not use the same filter and heater if you upgraded and bought a tank only?

 

[ny2oz]

I know most of you will recommend this up and down...but I transfered to my 36 gallon from a 12 gallon Eclipse. Now, we all know the current is STRONG on those things...IF (and I REALLY mean if) I had the room for the 12 gallon.....what can I do about the strong filter?

But I would have to return all the 2.5 gallon stuff

 

[Curiosity101]

I reckon you will need a bigger heater...but the filter (if it's recommended for a 2.5gal tank), should be fine for a lightly stocked 5gal.
Getting a slightly under powered filter in a betta tank is a great idea anyhoo, as they tend to be very lightly stocked and it means less of a current.

Have to say that although I agree 2.5gal can sustain a betta, I don't think they allow enough room.
That's the problem with bettas, they do still need a reasonable amount of room. But people don't like to give it to them as much as they would for other fish, purely because they don't do well in communities. Ie. fish:space ratio is quite bad and it makes the tank look empty.

I would always think of the fish first...and always would allow them the extra room a 5gal gives.

 

[GuppyGoddess]

But see, here's my point...some say 2.5 is big enough, some say must go with a 5 gallon. Yes good idea I can take my current aquarium water for the new one, but I just need to decide if I should upgrade..which would mean returning EVERYTHING!!!

Just to clarify, a 2.5-3 gallon (IMO) *is* enough for a Betta. I have three betta and two of them are in smaller tanks around that size. The only reason I suggest going with a larger is because you don't have to do as frequent of water changes. Both my Bettas in the smaller tanks are happy, but it's just that I change their water all the time to keep the ammonia levels down (one I change out daily!).

It would be good idea to get the API ammonia test kit to make sure the levels don't go super high.

If you do have everything, set up your stuff and enjoy your fish!