Betta Questions

[LJPV]

Hey guys. I just recently had an urge for something new. I'm thinking of buying a single male betta. Okay. Here are the questions:

1. How big of a tank will i need? Is 2.5 gallons good?

2. How long does the water need to sit before I add the fish?

3. What kind of food will i need? Bloodworms?

4. Do I need a heater or light?

5. What kind of chemicals will I need to add to the water?

6. How often do I need to change the water? How much water?

7. Is room temperature good?

Any other tips would be greatly appreciated! I know I can look on google, but i would rather have an active community help me out. Thanks for taking the time to look.

 

[-FighterFishh]

Hey guys. I just recently had an urge for something new. I'm thinking of buying a single male betta. Okay. Here are the questions:

1. How big of a tank will i need? Is 2.5 gallons good?
2.5g sounds about right for one betta on his own

2. How long does the water need to sit before I add the fish?
The water doesn't need to 'sit', the filter needs to be cycled. You can find info on that here.

3. What kind of food will i need? Bloodworms?
Bettas can be fed on flakes, but they do love live bloodworms as a treat too!

4. Do I need a heater or light?
A heater is a definite, a light is optional, though it will allow plants to grow and also produce light in the darker months.

5. What kind of chemicals will I need to add to the water?
Only add dechlorinator to warm water when you're doing a water change and filling the tank. Only put in other chemicals when you're medicating something, i.e. white spot.

6. How often do I need to change the water? How much water?
As often as you like. Most people do about 25% water changes weekly.

7. Is room temperature good?
No, bettas like temps of around 27 degrees C.

Any other tips would be greatly appreciated! I know I can look on google, but i would rather have an active community help me out. Thanks for taking the time to look.

Please read up on fishless cycling with the link I gave you. It's here again if you need it. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask!

 

[LJPV]

Thanks for the info! The link talked about being able to cycle with out a filter. Would adding an air stone help? When you say 25% weekly, do you mean once a week 25%, or multiple times a week? < (newbie). I dont mean to sound like a jerk, but I dont want a tank with algae covering the sides. Is there a way to eliminate it?

 

[micko]

I would suggest getting a filter for your tank, an airstone is really only for aesthetic purposes. It can increase the surface aggitation and increase the oxygen levels but your filter can do that too. Cycling a tank without a filter I've never heard of. Its the filter that needs to be cycled so the waste that the fish produce doesn't kill it. A filter would mean you wouldn't need to change the water daily.
I'm not really sure if 2.5 gal is ok. Some say more, some say that's ok. I'm not a betta expert so the only thing I can say on this matter is that I wouldn't. I like to think that the more space a fish has, the happier it will be.

 

[LeiLana80]

Pretty much every tank I have ever seen that is that small does not have any kind of filter available. A lot of places try to sell a plastic plate with holes in it- an "underwater filter"- as a valid form of filtration. Totally lame- all it does is (kinda) allow poop/grime/etc to sift down through the rocks and under the "filter" on the bottom. It does not clean the water, it does not help the water conditions whatsoever. Those types of tanks usually do include the airstone bit. Airstones are nice to add oxygen to the water, and they can look pretty, but are useless. I've also found that I don't like having them with my bettas (especially in a tank that small) because it disrupts the water too much for their liking (and mine).
If you are looking to keep one betta in a small tank, go for this Marineland Eclipse 3 gallon. I have this 3 gallon, their 6 gallon, and their 12 gallon and I *love* them. They have a carbon filter and a bio wheel. I've had other tanks, but none of them have compared to these.
Anyway, get that 3 gallon and your betta will be set! It's totally worth spending a bit of money- I've had all of mine for years and years. As long as you regularly clean the filter, they last forever.
I'm using my 3 gallon right now for a hospital tank for my dying betta, and my 6 gallon is housing my happy new guy. Good luck!

 

[LJPV]

I was wondering where I could get a filter for a 2.5 gallon. I'll have to go check that out the next time im at a store. Also, as far as I understand, Bettas are puddle fish, and live in some areas where the water is only an inch or two deep?

 

[-FighterFishh]

I was wondering where I could get a filter for a 2.5 gallon. I'll have to go check that out the next time im at a store. Also, as far as I understand, Bettas are puddle fish, and live in some areas where the water is only an inch or two deep?

They are, but that doesn't mean you should keep them in puddles.

 

[lilfishie]

just to add they live in rice paddies, but although they may only be 2 inch deep there very wide/long

 

[LJPV]

I would still never put him in a puddle. I will update when I've gotten him

 

[lilfishie]

Thats definately good to know

 

[LJPV]

BTW lilfishie. What kind of fish is that in your avatar? It looks really cool. (I had to ask )

 

[Neomeris]

I'm glad you're doing your research!! Your fish will thank you. Betas are wonderful, and I'm sure a 2.5 gallon will be fine for one betta. II change the water in my mom's betta abode once a week\, and her betta Inky is fine.

P.S. Don't let the fish store personnel that bettas can go in with guppies, ITS NOT TRUE!!! Anything that looks similar they will attack. Kinda like this fish.
Hi. You look similar, so sorry we can't get along

 

[lilfishie]

BTW lilfishie. What kind of fish is that in your avatar? It looks really cool. (I had to ask )

Thats Kia my old HM Betta, heres a better picture

Got him from ebay (got most my bettas on there!)

 

[-FighterFishh]

P.S. Don't let the fish store personnel that bettas can go in with guppies, ITS NOT TRUE!!! Anything that looks similar they will attack. Kinda like this fish.
Hi. You look similar, so sorry we can't get along

Actually, some bettas can get along with species like guppies, but you can never really tell until you get them home, so it's a big risk when putting them in.
I actually saw a CT male in with a whole tank of guppies recently, and he was really chilled out

Looking forward to seeing your new boy, LJPV

 

[loraxchick]

I was wondering where I could get a filter for a 2.5 gallon. I'll have to go check that out the next time im at a store. Also, as far as I understand, Bettas are puddle fish, and live in some areas where the water is only an inch or two deep?

You can make your own filter if you have an airpump and small plastic container(old fishfood tub works great). Pm me if you'd like instructions. Very easy to make and they work great! Excellent for bettas as they produce very little current.
cheers