3 Gall

[ellena]

I thought US gallons were the accepted 'standard' unit of volume when talking aquariums, including the min. size for a betta? Recently, I've seen a few posts mentioning it's UK gallons, which is quite a difference.

 

[GuppyGoddess]

I thought US gallons were the accepted 'standard' unit of volume when talking aquariums, including the min. size for a betta? Recently, I've seen a few posts mentioning it's UK gallons, which is quite a difference.

What is more, 3 US gallons or 3 UK gallons? Mine is 3 US gallons and think it's too small for a betta (but too late now as mine has settled in). My female in the five seems most happy.

 

[Rezatii]

3us gallons is 2.5 uk gallons so USG are more.

USgallons might be accepted as the standard in some places, but as a lot of us are English here we slip into UKgallons I think, I personally prefer to talk in terms of litres to avoid confusion XD


-Rezz

 

[jasminekiddell]

I thought US gallons were the accepted 'standard' unit of volume when talking aquariums, including the min. size for a betta? Recently, I've seen a few posts mentioning it's UK gallons, which is quite a difference.

What is more, 3 US gallons or 3 UK gallons? Mine is 3 US gallons and think it's too small for a betta (but too late now as mine has settled in). My female in the five seems most happy.

Well the tank i bought recently is stated as: 3USG & 2.87UKG, seen as im from the uk i go with 2.87, i will be keeping a betta in this. Its the minimum i would ever go though.

 

[loraxchick]

IME 2.5 US gal. is the smallest id go. you have to carefully plan the tank out tho as to not waste space (ie as little substrate as possible and small and interesting decor for the fish. they now make rather small 25 watt heaters that take up virtually no space and tiny filters to boot.
the boys in the smaller tanks are no less "happy" than those in the bigger (and by that i mean activity level and health...i never anthropomorphize my fish-giving them human emotion...i go by activity, color,vitality, health, which are all indications of "happiness").
keep in mind that small tanks require MORE ATTENTION. but if you find yourself "stuck" with a 3 gal tank say and no bigger tank in sight, dont feel badly about it. you can set up a perfectly fine tank meeting all the needs of the fish without compromising your wallet!
just my thoughts. it is like living in an apartment as opposed to a 4 bedroom house, really. just have to maximize space is all.
cheers

 

[ellena]

Thanks guys Rezatii, UK gallons are more.
US gall=3.78litres UK gall=4.5 litres.
I think you're right though, litres is far less ambiguous
I have a betta in a bowl of 13l, just over 3 US gall, just under 3 UK. It's heated and filtered and he seems very happy, active and healthy, so I won't be moving him, I just wondered

 

[loraxchick]

sounds perfect!

 

[GuppyGoddess]

Thanks guys Rezatii, UK gallons are more.
US gall=3.78litres UK gall=4.5 litres.
I think you're right though, litres is far less ambiguous
I have a betta in a bowl of 13l, just over 3 US gall, just under 3 UK. It's heated and filtered and he seems very happy, active and healthy, so I won't be moving him, I just wondered

Glad yours is happy. The one I have in the 3-gallon heated and filtered seems happy too. I wouldn't move him because he seems content. When I first put him in, he swam up to me and flared at me. lol That's the only time he's done that. I cannot imagine moving him again.

 

[Assaye]

3 UK gallons is my personal lower limit, but I accept that some people successfully keep their bettas in smaller tanks. I never like to see a betta in anything less than 2.5 US gallons as they become much harder to heat and filter, and the water quality if often really unstable. Plus there is much less space for decor to stop them getting bored.

 

[loraxchick]

3 UK gallons is my personal lower limit, but I accept that some people successfully keep their bettas in smaller tanks. I never like to see a betta in anything less than 2.5 US gallons as they become much harder to heat and filter, and the water quality if often really unstable. Plus there is much less space for decor to stop them getting bored.

indeed! i will say it takes so much diligence from planning the tank to making a filter(i really think its a must in a small tank to DIY sopnge filter. the smaller commercial filters are CRAP) to testing and waterchanges. but i honestly feel that it is absolutley and completely acceptable to house bettas in NO LESS than 2.5 gal of water, heated and filtered of course! 4 gal total volume and up and you dont have to worry so much about the layout and maintenance...i have stats to prove this as i keep very good logs...that goes for divided tanks.
cheers