Bettas

[tetraqueen]

Okay I want to start having a Betta to my fish collection.

I have an Aqua one tank AR-380
Tank dimentions
38x25x46cm 24 liters
Stand dimentions
38x25x66cm
and hope this will be suitable?? Don't understand Gallons is there a Gallon in here I think almost ??

It has an underwater filter which I will remove as it seems they do not need any.

Do they need gravel?

Do we cycle the tank first sorry it says 100% water changes ?? Do we use the water conditioner and the other bacteria we add when adding new fish ?

What and how often do they need feeding?

Do they like the light on?
Is it fair to keep one male alone. i.e I will not be able to breed and at most two females, so would fo colour have one female.


Yes lots of questions but as always please help.

 

[rdd1952]

I'm a little confused by your numbers. A 38x25x46 tank is 43700 cubic cm which is 43.7 liters (not 24) or about 11.5 gallon. I don't know what you mean by "is there a gallon in here". Actually a any fish tank, including a betta tank, should have a filter so I would leave the UGF in or better yet, upgrade to a hang on back.

As for your question about cycling, you cycle the filter, not the water. So if you take the filter out, you can't cycle the tank, thus the daily 100% water changes to keep ammonia and nitrite levels low. That's a lot of wasted water. Gravel isn't necessary unless you have live plants but if you use the UGF, you will need some as that is where your beneficial bacteria will colonize to cycle the tank. You will need dechlorinator but don't waste your money on the bacteria in a bottle products as they are useless. Feeding once a day is what I have found to be best. They don't necessarily need a light on the tank as long as there is ambient light around the tank. Don't put it in direct sunlight as that will lead to algae and green water. And if you have a male betta in the tank, you can only put a female in when he is ready breed. And as soon as they are finished, you have to take her out. otherwise he will kill her.

 

[tetraqueen]

I'm a little confused by your numbers. A 38x25x46 tank is 43700 cubic cm which is 43.7 liters (not 24) or about 11.5 gallon. I don't know what you mean by "is there a gallon in here". Actually a any fish tank, including a betta tank, should have a filter so I would leave the UGF in or better yet, upgrade to a hang on back.

As for your question about cycling, you cycle the filter, not the water. So if you take the filter out, you can't cycle the tank, thus the daily 100% water changes to keep ammonia and nitrite levels low. That's a lot of wasted water. Gravel isn't necessary unless you have live plants but if you use the UGF, you will need some as that is where your beneficial bacteria will colonize to cycle the tank. You will need dechlorinator but don't waste your money on the bacteria in a bottle products as they are useless. Feeding once a day is what I have found to be best. They don't necessarily need a light on the tank as long as there is ambient light around the tank. Don't put it in direct sunlight as that will lead to algae and green water. And if you have a male betta in the tank, you can only put a female in when he is ready breed. And as soon as they are finished, you have to take her out. otherwise he will kill her.

Thanks I got my measureants from here http/www.gnsaquarium.com.au/html/aqua_one_fish_tanks.html.


Also I have been filling it up with a bucket and the bucket is not that big perhaps 11.5 is right if its two buckets full. Only change it for tropicals 25 % at a time and have used it to prevent the last of my tiny fish being eaten alive.

I was told they did not like movement and the underground filter does this however daily water changes would be a bit much ? Weekly with a filter sounds better.

 

[Musho3210]

no such thing as too many water changes as long as the water is the same temp and isnt poisonous.

 

[tetraqueen]

no such thing as too many water changes as long as the water is the same temp and isnt poisonous.

I realise that but I would prefer not to do daily water changes unless I move it to the kitchen and there isn't room.

I think though they do not like filters

 

[Dark Wolf]

they don't need daily water changes, weekly will do.

 

[tetraqueen]

they don't need daily water changes, weekly will do.

Thanks and I am a bit put of by flaing ? what does that mean they do?Any advice on what not to buy i.e I know the norm fresh clean clear eyes etc.

they don't need daily water changes, weekly will do.

Thanks and I am a bit put of by flaing ? what does that mean they do?Any advice on what not to buy i.e I know the norm fresh clean clear eyes etc.

 

[Dark Wolf]

I'm assuming you mean flaring? Which is basically when i betta spreads out it's fins too look as big as possible, they tend to do this if they see other fish that are brightly coloured. Shouldn't put you off buying one really.

Just look for the basics, and make his fins are in good condition i.e. not torn, and no signs of being nibbled at/finrot

 

[tetra king]

i think you should start with tetras just to be on the safeside.

thanks

tetra king

 

[OohFeeshy]

Well *that* was a random and completely off topic post...

 

[l.michelle]

Filters are good to have in betta tanks, they just don't like the strong currents, because they can get flung around by them. I find having a light on it some time of the day is nice, but they do need to sleep, and it will stress the fish out if the light is on all the time. You might want to also consider getting a heater, bettas are tropical fish, and like warmer temperatures in the water, in the summer it might not be too bad, but in the winter (depending on where you live) the water can get quite cold.

If you have a filter, water changes of about 30% or so per week should be good.

 

[tetraqueen]

Thanks I have 4 Bala sharks,a Plec, clown Loaches , Green Barbs, a gouramis and 2 Catfish. I have had neons , Platys and Guppies in the past and two golden tetras that were old and had no home.

I want a fish in my little tank and have always like Betta's but nmy LFS would not sell me one with my first fish as now i have read all the site over the last few years would have been a sin. Yes to put a betta in a community and be unaware it will get bitten etc to me is a sin.

I also having got a Plec and Bala sharks know that too was wrong but the lfs will have them if and when I return them. May just pass them onto someone who likes them and has the size of tank and the abilty to care for them as they mature beyond me feeling well they are still happy and okay.

I realise it will not take long. So for now I am looking at my little tank having one lonely Betta in it but it needs me to ponder and not just buy one to kill it with ignorance and unkindness.

So No tetras as if I do I will need all my fish to go as they would eat them for dinner and really on the subject that little tank may suit one beta but most tetras need to swim freely and its tooooo small ??

rant over

 

[Musho3210]

hope you got a HUGE tank for those fish lmao, something in the hundreds of gallons. I would start looking for someone to take care of those fish right away.

 

[littlest]

According to the dimension calculations the tank is 47 litres, but I think this is because the tank dimensions you gave include the base and the lid. I have a similar tank and the advertised dimensions include the hood/lid (which has a fitted light). According to the dimensions my tank is 37 litres, but in reality it is 28L.

The best way is to actually measure how much water fills the tank up. Do you know how big your bucket is?

I googled your tank and other sites advertise it as being 34 litres. That seems the most likely.

 

[kingmed]

Well *that* was a random and completely off topic post...

I agree, if you want a betta more power to you---this is a great place to learn and plenty of teachers here to guide you through anything that you have a problem with. The setup sounds great--I'd go for it.