Betta Starter

[ncguppy830]

hi im getting a 5 gallon tank with a heater and filter and was wondering some requirements / suggestions for its setup.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

You will want some live/silk plants near the surface for your Betta to rest on.
Make sure there is a lid on the tank as Bettas are jumpers.
Don't fill the tank right up to the top, make sure the Betta has access to air.
Make sure the filter flow isn't too much or the Betta may be harmed.
Keep the water clean.
Pre-soak Betta pellets/flake (if you're using them) before you feed them to your Betta
Have the tank at around 26-28 degrees (Celsius)
Oh, and remember to cycle the tank

 
I can't think of anything else right now but if you have any questions then feel free to ask. If I can't answer them then I'm sure someone else will come along and help.

 
P.S Make sure to share lots of pics 

 

[ncguppy830]

could i keep anything with him? thanks for the help

 

[eaglesaquarium]

In a 5 gallon you'd have to consider inverts... Snails primarily.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

In a 5 gallon I wouldn't recommend keeping any other fish with one. However, you may be able to have some shrimp and/or snails in with one (be careful though as some Bettas will eat the shrimp/snails)

 

[ncguppy830]

which shrimp would be good

 

[Blondielovesfish]

I'm not really good with shrimp (never seen any in NZ, I'm pretty sure they're illegal to import) but the bigger shrimp (ones that won't easily fit in the Bettas mouth) are good. I think one species suitable is Amano shrimp (?)

 

[ncguppy830]

amano got it ,  im not really into plants so what would you reccomend?

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Pretty much any broad leaved plant. Anubia's are good if you have some bog wood that you can tie them to.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Anubias seems to be a favorite, large sturdy leaves and they like to be attached to decor, which means they will be as high as you'd like. Very easy to care for as well. Just make sure you have the lights on for 4-6 hours a day minimum and it should be fine. Java fern is also quite easy, low lighting required, which is good for bettas, no need for ferts, etc.

 

[ncguppy830]

cool the petsmo  near me is selling bettas for .99  hope the stay one sale until im finished cycling

low lighting hmm well whatevers best

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Take some filter media from your 55 and the cycle will go much faster. You don't need much bacteria for a single betta.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

You can take filter media from your 55 gallon. Up to 1/3 is safe.

EA beat me to it

 

[ncguppy830]

cool and that should speed up the cycling right 

 

[eaglesaquarium]

It might finish it, if your 55 has been up and running for any length of time. You could get the betta tomorrow, theoretically.