is this is good plan for a betta

[houndour]

Hello,

I'm still cycling my tank and it'll be a long while before I get a Betta (if I do). But I wanted to know if my following plan is OK?

My tank is going to have 6 cardinals and 6 corys. But to have 6 cardinals is a bit bare considering the corys might hide. Someone suggested having a betta.

I've looked into it a bit and read threads on this betta forum and it seems that for some people cardinals and bettas mix without a problem and for others there is a problem.

So it is a bit of a gamble I suppose. But I have a spare hex tank, I'm not sure how many gallons, but it's somewhere between 5-10. So this would surely be perfect for a betta

So I could try introducing a Betta into the main tank and if it doesn't work out then the betta can have his own tank ...always and excuse to set up another tank

I already have the filter, heater, bulb, spare substrate, so I have everything I need. Do Bettas need a filter? I assume they do?

By the way, my main tank is 19 UK gallons and planted (as in pic below).

Sam

 

[eudielynn]

I have two bettas. One is very peaceful and laid back. He gets along fine in my community tank. The other is very aggressive, he has already killed the ghost shrimp I had in with him. It will just depend on the personality of the betta, but if you try it, definately have another tank ready for him in case you should need it.

 

[GSD]

the betta might get stressed from the colours and energy of the cardinals but hell be fine woth the cories,you could get afew female bettas?

 

[houndour]

Well I've just found out that the rule of thumb thing about one inch per gallon isn't a very good guideline, so given that cardinals are small I could have more when my tank matures therefore filling up the top and middle space more...therefore I won't need the betta...

So, I shall talk to my boyfriend nicely tonight and see if I can set up my hex tank especially for a betta

 

[RandomWiktor]

gshep lover: I would NEVER reccomend keeping female bettas in a tank with a male; I think that was what you were saying. Unless you mean putting the females in with those other fish instead of a male, which would have mixed results as the girls can be just as agressive as the boys.

Houndor - your betta is going to love that nice big hex tank ^^ Basically, you need a mild filter, artificial silk plants or real plants (they cut themselves on plastic), a heater, a thermometer, and you should be pretty much set. It sounds like you have basically all those items anyways. Good luck

 

[houndour]

I think he meant put a couple of females in the community tank instead of a male.

Do females also fight?

I love real plants so if a betta doesn't mid I'd make a min aquascape with the hex Oh dear...I've really caught the bug now I just need to think of a place to put the tank.

And yes, I have all the equipment already so no-one can moan that I'm spending a lot on it!

Is a sand substrate OK for bettas? It's just that have loads of sand left over from setting up my main tank.

Sam

 

[BettaMomma]

First, let me say that your tank setup is great!
I love it!

I would have to say that you should just go ahead and put your betta into that hex tank right away. What could potentially happen is that all might seem well right off the bat, but as time goes by there could be aggression. I, personally, would never try mixing a betta with anything.

And I think that when you heard that the 1 inch of fish per gallon rule wasn't really accurate is that most people on this forum think that LESS than 1 inch of fish per gallon is more realistic, depending on the aggressiveness of the fish AND what size they will be when they mature to adulthood.