How To Go About Starting A Betta Tank?

[NightPhoenix]

Hi everyone,

While I'm not "technically" new to fish keeping I've been out of it so long (since the mid 90s) that I'm for all practical purposes a beginner.

I'd like to get back into the hobby but money and space are some issues. (money probably a little more but space is a real concern, no place to do a 55 gallon tank, probably not even a 30 gallon). So I'm thinking of going in the betta direction. I've always loved bettas but never have much luck with them years ago in my community tanks. I was considering seeing about getting a 5 gallon aquarium, maybe a kit and saw wally world sells one for under $30. I know I'd need a heater a few extras but I guess I'm a bit concerned with that size tank. I want my fish to be happy, healthy and be able to swim, which is why I never liked hexagon tanks. (this one isn't a hex, but I still wonder if 5 gallons is too small) The smallest I've ever had was a 10 gallon, but I'm not sure I've got a decent location for it or the space. Anyways the size of the tank aside, I'm really lost on the filtration issue. I know bettas don't like too much water flow, but am confused as to what sort of filter would be best for say a 5 gallon betta tank? It seems UGF are a thing of the past . . . as far as popularity goes anyways. And I would imagine a HOB filter would be way too much for a 5 gallon tank. I mainly used HOB filters previously with all sorts of "cartridges" a sponge, carbon etc.

As you can see I don't have any specific questions per se, but would appreciate being shown the right direction. Oh yes one specific question is on cycling . . . can a betta be used to cycle a 5 gallon tank? Or do I need to cycle it BEFORE hand. Again it's been a long time and a lot of the technology is a bit different than 16 years ago when I last had a tank. Any suggestions and idea would be very helpful as I really do have my heart set on getting a betta tank up and running.

Thanks

PS: edited to apologize for the American-centric nature of my questions (gallons etc).

 

[bettabits]

Hello Nightpheonix,

I actually have 9 Bettas currently in different shaped 5 gallon tanks with HOB filters in some and sponge filters in others. I think the Bettas with sponge filters in their tanks seem to be the happiest, as there is little current to worry about and they can build their little bubblenests to their hearts delight.

The happiest Bettas seem to be the ones in the standard rectangular 5 gallon tanks. I have one in a 5 gallon hex from marineland and he spends a lot of time sleeping on his plants at the top of the water. Whichever tank you choose, the more surface area the bigger it will seem to your Betta. Also, you can cut down on the flow of the HOB filter by adding plants just in front of the output or outflow of the filter, which helps to make it more likeable for your Betta. I did notice that my Bettas seemed to like it better in their homes once I made that a standard aquascaping practice. Or barring plants, you can also find a HOB filter that has an adjustable flow.

I do recommend the fishless cycle with any fish. Some people think Bettas are so hardy you dont NEED to cycle before hand as long as you do daily water changes. I just don't buy it. Ammonia burns gills. Fishless cycling will make for a happier Betta in the long run. For more info you can always check out my website.

 

[zophie]

Hello Nightpheonix,

I actually have 9 Bettas currently in different shaped 5 gallon tanks with HOB filters in some and sponge filters in others. I think the Bettas with sponge filters in their tanks seem to be the happiest, as there is little current to worry about and they can build their little bubblenests to their hearts delight.

The happiest Bettas seem to be the ones in the standard rectangular 5 gallon tanks. I have one in a 5 gallon hex from marineland and he spends a lot of time sleeping on his plants at the top of the water. Whichever tank you choose, the more surface area the bigger it will seem to your Betta. Also, you can cut down on the flow of the HOB filter by adding plants just in front of the output or outflow of the filter, which helps to make it more likeable for your Betta. I did notice that my Bettas seemed to like it better in their homes once I made that a standard aquascaping practice. Or barring plants, you can also find a HOB filter that has an adjustable flow.

I do recommend the fishless cycle with any fish. Some people think Bettas are so hardy you dont NEED to cycle before hand as long as you do daily water changes. I just don't buy it. Ammonia burns gills. Fishless cycling will make for a happier Betta in the long run. For more info you can always check out my website.

Totally agree, Bettabits. 5 gallons is considered one of the best sizes for bettas, and sponge filters are generally the way to go. Though bettas are hardy enough to live in an uncycled tank, please check out cycling

 

[NightPhoenix]

Thanks to the both of you for the replies. I did some window shopping today and am now more confused than ever...lol!

First, I'm not familiar with sponge filters at all. In my previous aquarium life I had HOB filters with a huge block sponge but sponge filters as you're talking about I haven't got a clue about. What brands should I look for or does it even matter? Do they run with an air pump or a powerhead?

I was also looking at a couple of kits one by Aqueon which looks pretty decent but comes with a HOB filter; some reviews said it's not too strong for a betta tank but I definitely want biological filtraton which it's supposed to have...I think it's Aqueon QuietFlow 10.

What about these "in the tank" filters....they appear to be new or at least new to me. I'm not talking about the corner box filters of old which I'm familiar with but they look to be something else entirely, the Tetra brand kits seem to have these for their 5 gallon sizes.

I've also noticed the price different between 5 and 10 gallon is almost nothing and so I'm considering a 10 gallon tank, but haven't ruled out the 5USG if the price is right. I've just been out of the hobby for so long I feel a bit overwhelmed but am refreshing much of memory.

 

[bettabits]

You can get a kit with a HOB filter if you want to, if the current is too strong you do have the option to add a prefilter (sponge you can slip over the intake tube) and then add a plant in front of the output. If the price is right, I would probably go that route. For a small tank like a 5 or 10 gallon, the filter in a kit would be fine.

The in the tank filters work pretty well from what I understand, but if I was going for a filter, I would probably go with a HOB if I had a choice, as the in the tank ones use suction cups to stick to the side of the tank I believe. On some of the reviews I've heard that the suction cups can cause a buzzing when the filter runs.

If the difference between the two sizes is really just a few dollars, I recommend bigger of course. This gives you the opportunity to add a few dither fish (like rasboras, danios, or neons) and a clean up crew (for algae in my sorority 10 gallon tanks I like Oto cats or shrimp). If you do want to have a small community tank, I would recommend putting in the dither fish after the cycle first, then the clean up crew and the Betta last. This will keep the Betta from establishing a territory before you add the other fish.

Of course as Bettas are always a toss up regarding whether they will tolerate other fish or not, I would make sure to have a back up plan, or at least a local fish store that takes returns for a few days after sale.