First Fish - Need Help

[Spitter33]

I recently got my first fish. It's a Betta. When I picked it up at Petsmart the person working was helping me out with which stuff I needed. She said a 2.5 Gallon tank would be plenty, I'm kind of wishing I got a bigger one now but it will do for a while? 
 
As of now I'm wondering about cleaning it. How often should I clean it and how do I do this? I've never owned a fish or cleaned a tank before, do I simply dump the water out and rinse off the rocks and toys then refill it? (I have Betta water conditioner to put back in it) 
 
Also, in the near future I'm wanting to add some more fish or creatures into the tank (I'm planning on getting a 10-20 gallon first, because this one is to small of course). I've heard not many fish are compatible with Betta's. And most fish need a heater. Would a heater harm the Betta? Because I was told it didn't need a heater or filter. So basically, with a larger tank what else could I add? 
 
Thanks. 

 

[sawickib]

Hi, welcome to TFF! Unfortunately for now on you should probably come here to ask questions instead of petsmart, because mostly all the time petsmart employees dont have half a clue on fish requirements. In fact the only fish that dont need a heater (unless of course its very cold in your house) is cold water fish like goldfish, koi, some species of loaches, striped hi fin sharks, etc. etc.
 
So with your betta i would definitely get a small heater, and seeing how you dont have a cycled filter on your tank, you should be doing 100% water changes weekly, and cleaning the gravel. Right now it cant have any tank mates, but if you get say a 20 gallon long then you can have more fish with it then you know
 
Like almost any species of cory cat, a bristle nose pleco, african dwarf frogs, snails, maybe shrimp depending on the temperament of your betta. Ummm thats all i can think of for a 20 gallon atm with a betta.
 
You will also need to cylce the new tank, read up on cycling here >>>> http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/421488-cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first/
 
Any questions, and the kind people of this forum will be happy to answer if we know the answer

 

[Spitter33]

I definitely should have came here for tips beforehand! 
 
Thanks, I'll be sure to pick up a heater and filter for sure with a larger tank! For the next few weeks it's supposed to be very hot (and my room is extra hot) so perhaps a heater would make it to warm right now, I'll also pick up a thermometer! 
 
If I were to get just a 10 gallon, do you think it'd be fine if I had my Betta, 5 or so Neon Tetra's, and maybe a few ghost shrimp for the bottom? Or is that to much for a 10 gallon? I'm considering a 20 but I don't have much room for it... I'd like it to be placed on my computer desk as it's the only decent spot for it in my room. The 2.5 gallon is fine on it, and a 10 would fit perfectly. I'm thinking a 20 gallon would be way to heavy and big for it. 
 
Also I'll be sure to cycle the new tank! I've never even heard about cycling until today but have been looking into it a lot!

 

[sawickib]

Well the water should be about 78-82 dgerees Fahrenheit, but it will be fine for a while but I would make sure to get one. The betta will be fine in a 10 gallon as well, actually the recommended smallest amount for a betta is usually 5 gallon. Unfortunately I wouldn't recommend neon tetras they may nip at your betta, and need about a 15 gallon tank. Ghost shrimp would be fine, or maybe some small species of corydoras such as Pygmy cories, about 6 of those or about six harlequin rasboras.

 

[Spitter33]

Well the water should be about 78-82 dgerees Fahrenheit, but it will be fine for a while but I would make sure to get one. The betta will be fine in a 10 gallon as well, actually the recommended smallest amount for a betta is usually 5 gallon. Unfortunately I wouldn't recommend neon tetras they may nip at your betta, and need about a 15 gallon tank. Ghost shrimp would be fine, or maybe some small species of corydoras such as Pygmy cories, about 6 of those or about six harlequin rasboras.

 
Perfect, thanks! I'll check out some of the fish you mentioned and see what I can come up with