Advice On Getting Started Please

[gillyg]

Hi i am thinking of buying a tank and a male betta. have been doing some research and seem to come up with a lot of different answers, was hoping you guys could help me out?

firstly, tanksize, what would you recommend?

does the tank need to be cycled? i presume so, but many websites say not. currently have a established community tank with a eheim filter. would taking some gravel from this tank help? many sites say a filter is not required as long as you do 100% water changes per week is this correct?

will i need a heater? i guess this depends on the tank size? and house temperature?

you guys seem to know your stuff so any advice would be great, thank you

 

[lilfishie]

for the size of tank you will get many different answers, minimum is 1 gal although a lot of betta keepers aggree that about 2.5 is much better, i persoanlly have 2 males, one in a 2.5 and one in a 3, if i had the space i would get them bigger as they enjoy the space, niether of mine are cycled, i do a 100% water change once a week and sometimes a 50% during the week, i don't have a heater in any of mine but they are in one of the warmest rooms in the house.

hope this helps

 

[joycould]

I would say get a 2.5 gallon tank...petsmart has one for 10 it comes with a cover. I have fish in everything from a gallon to a 10 gallon divided and most everything in between. I like glass over acrylic since the glass doesn't seem to be as reflective to the fish and they don't stress out.
I live in the south so I don't worry so much about having a heater but you can get a small heater if need be. I cycle all of my bowls and tanks. Ideal temp is in the upper 70's for bettas.
I keep an extra close eye on the gallon bowls but have never had a problem with ammonia or nitrates since I do cycle and also have live plants.
If you go with a filter red sea makes one for a nano tank they run about 11 at the lfs here.
I use pellet food because it doesn't mess up the water. I feed mine a pea once a week.
Water changes depends on the water stats and the size of bowl or tank. I only do 100% water changes when I feel it is really needed usually about one time a month but I do smaller water changes at least once every other day. Petco has a small heater only raises the temp a couple of degrees I do have one if a fish gets sick. Since you have a big tank already you can do the cycle with gravel.
I think it is important to pick a healthy fish, some on the forum believes in buying a rescue but my rescues come free usually from friends that have had problems taking proper care of them. I consider them adopted if nothing is wrong with them when they give them to me.
The tank decorations should beable to pass the pantyhose test. If it snags a pantyhose don't use it.
Lastly bettas are addictive. I fed my addiction today with a new little man for my newly cycled 2.5 gallon and got another 2.5 gallon to start planting and cycling.