Betta Community Tank

[hollyp0p]

I have set up a community tank, so far I have 6 zebra danios and 5 neon tetra.....the tank is now between 4 and 5 weeks old, I aim next to get a couple of gourami (still deciding what colour....probably gold).....and finally the fairy on my aquarium tree.......a beautiful male betta

I went into the shop in which i itend to get my betta last week, to view what they had, i tried to get them to hold a betta back for me until I could get him, but they seemed to think i better wait a few more weeks and so wouldn't hold the betta i fell for

I intend (all being well on levels...fish health....etc) to get my gourami next week, and then the betta the week after when the tank will be about 6 weeks old, do I really have to wait a few more weeks, or should my tank, at 6 weeks (after water checks are ok) be stable enough to get a betta?

(attached is the betta i fell for....marbled pink)

 

[Htw]

Please wait until your tank is fully cycled, before you start filling it with fish. it really will do them no good at all and you will probably end up killing them slowly.
I know it's a pain to have to wait, but it's even more painful to watch your fish die, wishing you had waited a few more weeks.
Good on the LFS for making you wait for the betta at least.

 

[DarkEntity]

Looks nice, just be aware that the back left and frint cetre plants are non aquatic and will rot

 

[hollyp0p]

weird....i got them in aquatic shops (plants that is)

the tank was cycled using liquid that starts off the bacteria, it's not been just all plonked together

but don't worry the betta isn't going in until about week 6 or 7 and thats only if i can find one i like again before then!

 

[jess6905]

what size tank is it?? theres only one liquid cycle that iv herd of people talking about that works at all, but i can't remember what it was called. everything you have in there now is probably going to harass and nip your poor betta till it either dies from illness or he will be miserable and hide as much as possible then you wont see him 90% of the time.

 

[ibbledibble]

what size tank is it?? theres only one liquid cycle that iv herd of people talking about that works at all, but i can't remember what it was called.

its called bactinettes, its not actually liquid but little black balls in a liquid. you throw away the liquid and add the balls to your filter. it has to be kept refrigerated at all times until added to the filter and it only adds the bacteria for ammonia apparently not the bacteria for nitrite so it just aids cycling doesn't replace it.

 

[jennybugs]

Just a note that gourami and bettas shouldn't be in the same tank together. Also, have a back up plan for if your betta decides to attack any of your fish or vice versa.

Bettas in community tanks are very hit and miss...it all depends on the individual character of the fish. I have never had a betta that is sutiable for living with other fish...they've always eaten tails of others

 

[hollyp0p]

I'm now not getting any gourami as i feel it'll be one more thing that might go wrong.....I am gonna see how the tetras and danios go, if it does go wrong i will section off part of the tank for the betta only.
The tank is 60 X 30X30 i think...it's a juwel rekord 60 and is 55 litre but just under 50litre after my media went in
and everyone inside seems fine still at the moment....next 25% water clean is due on thursday

 

[jennybugs]

Tetra and danios will go fine together, but you may find the danios too busy for the betta and they will deffo get to the bettas food first. They are SO greedy!
As you say, I guess there is always the option of partitioning the tank.

 

[hollyp0p]

Tetra and danios will go fine together, but you may find the danios too busy for the betta and they will deffo get to the bettas food first. They are SO greedy!
As you say, I guess there is always the option of partitioning the tank.

People have been giving me tips on feeding time, like getting my partner to feed the danios the other side of the tank at the same time to keep them distracted, else I get one of those mesh things for nurseries just to scoop the betta into so it can eat it's own food without being disturbed....i think it's do-able as you say if he doesn't end up sectioned off anyway....

time will tell

 

[jennybugs]

Won't the constant scooping up of the betta at feeding time be somewhat stressful for it?

The idea of double feeding sounds good like worth a try though

 

[hollyp0p]

Won't the constant scooping up of the betta at feeding time be somewhat stressful for it?

The idea of double feeding sounds good like worth a try though

I'm am entirely unsure, we shall have to wait and see.....have found a betta i liked today and put my name to him to collect next week unless a 'betta' one catches my eye beforehand