Hmm...

[Viettxboii]

Thats my current set up for my fish.. i plan to buy a new tank soon within a few days
these are the stuff im going to buy:
1- 10 gallon glass tank (13.99 at petsmart)
2- Sponge Filter(of the materials for it using instructions from DIY Section)(Assume $5 at most)
3- Air Pump to operate sponge filter($10)
4- 25 Watt Heater($20)
5- Hood For tank, with custom built lighting(not sure for that but need ot get a hood, then decide on the type of lighting)(not sure will assume $20)
Total Costs are:
14+5+10+20+20= $69, but i will buy the parts steadily but things will buy for sure are the tank filter and air pump, the other materials i will purchase when the time comes.

Oh yeah note: the Betta's green parts are actually light blue

 

[Jaded12]

Sounds like a plan And hes stunning

 

[Viettxboii]

Also with the soon to be vacant 2 gal tank ill buy another betta for my 7 year old bro(ill do the food and cleaning he can do the admiring)
So my betta in a 10 gal(hes gonna be spoiled..well not decoration wise but ill make stuff)
and the 2 gallon for the other betta for my brother either way both fish wil lbe happy my betta from his bowl, and my brothers fish probably from a decrepid dirty cup(ill choose the cleanset lol)
anyways after owning my betta for about 4 days now it seems to be much more vibrant in color(note that pic was from my 1st day owning it, its colors are more vibrant now)
also it seems to eat more and knows that the hand over top the bowl means=feeding time he eats more then before(only ate 1 pellet per day, now eats lots more, 4-6 a day)
Also i should note that the substrate in the bowl has changed, as i now use marbles inside it now instead of the gravel(easier with the clean up)
and also my betta likes to cuddle up between the leaves,

Please give any sugestions for decorating the tank, and lighting options! Please and thanks guy!

 

[*Fishkies*]

Any silk plants you can find would be great. I know my betta loves playing in mine, and laying in them. Silk plants are really quite natural looking too.
You could use a flower pot to decorate with, like a big one and two little ones and then with some plants. That would be really neat. Make sure thought it's one of those clay pots and is brand new.

Good luck with your new setup!!

 

[Viettxboii]

well for my 10g tank it willl have no decos or any substrate, it will have jsut water a single small silk plant(the one in hte bowl) and some marbles that wont cover hte tank in its entirety, as the new betta will take temporary residense in the bowl, until i can manage to transfer him into the 2gallon(which by then is still occupied or waiting to be bleach washed by me.(Its filthy due to overload, and 3 fishes in there with ich at the moment)

 

[Viettxboii]

One more thing......what would make good tank mates for my betta, presumably one that would help clean stuff(bottom feeders) and not produce alot of waste

 

[Jaded12]

Cory Cats!! They are soooo awsome and totally adorable, you could get a nice school or 4-5 in a 10 gallon, its so fun watching them play with eachother, and they'll eat leftover food on the bottom.

 

[Viettxboii]

and they eat?

 

[*Fishkies*]

Left over flake food.

 

[Viettxboii]

im still nto quite sure since im going to be using an uncycled tank...
with jsut the betta and ....could 1 cory suffice?

 

[catherine896]

Corys like groups and have to be in a minimum of 4.
Shrimps eat stuff off the bottom, I plan to get some shrimps to go in my betta tanks. Just make sure they are big enough to not become dinner for a hungry betta!

 

[sylvia]

You need to let the tank cycle. Both for the sake of the betta and the cories (use flake food to cycle it - or if you must, cycle with the betta but don't add anything else until at least 2 months down the line - only ever use DECHLORINATED water for water changes as well).

Cories MUST be in gorups - never just one. Also, they CANNOT survive on leftovers! They need to be fed like any other fish. Catfish pellets, flake, live/frozen foods are fine. Having said that - I'd disagree on the cory suggestion. Most of the common species grow to around 2-3" and are very active. They are better off in larger tanks. They also need a sand substrate, bare-borromed tank or smooth pebble substrate - marbles or rough gravel won't do as they have little barbels (whiskers) which get worn down as they rumage in the substrate for food. There are small species that would work (like pygmy cories) if you went for sand/a bare tank - but they'll still need to be in a group in a cycled tank.

If you go for sand, a couple of kuhlie loaches would be an alternative to cories. A cycled tank is still absolutely necessary.

Other than these options, shrimp are good choices for many betta tanks (though other bettas won't take to them ). Check out petshrimp.com There are many varieties and they are surprisingly active and fun to watch.

 

[Jaded12]

I'd disagree on the cory suggestion. Most of the common species grow to around 2-3" and are very active.

If you go for sand, a couple of kuhlie loaches would be an alternative to cories. A cycled tank is still absolutely necessary.

Kuhli loaches are quite active at night, grow 5" and do best in groups, how would that be a better alternative then a fish that grows 2.5", and is active during the day when you could actually see and enjoy them?

 

[K.J.]

I'd disagree on the cory suggestion. Most of the common species grow to around 2-3" and are very active.

If you go for sand, a couple of kuhlie loaches would be an alternative to cories. A cycled tank is still absolutely necessary.

Kuhli loaches are quite active at night, grow 5" and do best in groups, how would that be a better alternative then a fish that grows 2.5", and is active during the day when you could actually see and enjoy them?

He'd have to be rather careful. If he gets a species like peppers, they grow rather large. On another side, cories are delicate, moreso than most bettas, and they can't handle ammonia very well (not that any fish can!) so if you mess up, they'll be the price to pay. To be honest, not a lot of things can be kept with betta and the only other catfish thing I can think of are otos, and they eat algae - plus they're not even catfish. If you think you can maintain good water quality and put sand in there, fine. Also, Cories love caves. I suppose it's not a must, but mine always like playing in the wisteria, and I love to see them showing their true nature.

 

[Viettxboii]

So would the betta alone in the uncycled tank suffice? the substrate will be different in various places in the tanks(keep some variation for my betta) on one side hte substrate will be marbles and hte other side regular gravel, also i will try and ppurchase more decos and plants down the road for him, but for now it wil lbe one plant on the gravel side, and ill get aroudn to buying some deco after my wallet returns from the hospital.
Also using my betta i could eventually have hte tank cycled at that point i may add in a few new fish, which i need to plan out ahead of time...OR plants
which is a generally easy to carefor plant that does not require the best lighting and is generally easy to care for(im in the basement hte bowl will be in my room)
Also my betta will sure be happy ;D
One more thing the tank im buying does not include a hood.