Minimum Tank Requirements For A Single Betta

[nayfeee88]

Morning everybody

I currently have a 75l aquarium that is housing a small shoal (6) of Cory cats.

My original intention was to buy a single male Betta to live with them in a few weeks.

However, I've since purchased a 30-31 litre tank that I was going to use for breeding Assasin Snails. Would a tank this size be big enough for one male Betta to live in happily, or is it too small?

Thanks in advance

 

[OohFeeshy]

You're not going to get one answer, as with all things betta tank size is subject to a range of opinions, so really it's about what you feel is the minimum.

Most people would say that 30l is big enough, though.

 

[nayfeee88]

In that case, I'd feel comfortable to house a single male in there.

The reason being is if water quality detiororates or if I feel the fish is not happy I can always transfer him into the 75l where he will have much more space

Before I do this, though, any other input is appreciated.

 

[Assaye]

30 ltr is a good size for a single betta.

Make sure you plant it up really heavily and give him a dark cave to hide in. You'd also need to make sure the water flow from the filter isn't too strong and make sure none of the decor could rip his fins.

How are you cycling the tank?

 

[nayfeee88]

30 ltr is a good size for a single betta.

Make sure you plant it up really heavily and give him a dark cave to hide in. You'd also need to make sure the water flow from the filter isn't too strong and make sure none of the decor could rip his fins.

How are you cycling the tank?

I have an already cycled 75 litre. I can work something around with the media in the cycled filter, or run them both together for a little while to allow the bacteria to colonise.

I'll look into that more, now that I know the fish would be okay in there. Also, plants aren't a problem as I have plenty in my Cory tank, can always transfer some over. Same goes with caves, I make coconut caves for my other fish so I'll make one for this new tank

What sort of weekly water change are we talking about in a 30l?

 

[aly_starh]

What sort of weekly water change are we talking about in a 30l?

Cycled;- 10% a week should be ok

 

[nayfeee88]

What sort of weekly water change are we talking about in a 30l?

Cycled;- 10% a week should be ok

Thanks you guys

And the best way to cycle it considering I have another tank set up that's cycled?

I am in no rush to get the Betta, so the best way & not the quickest

 

[aly_starh]

What sort of weekly water change are we talking about in a 30l?

Cycled;- 10% a week should be ok

Thanks you guys

And the best way to cycle it considering I have another tank set up that's cycled?

I am in no rush to get the Betta, so the best way & not the quickest

IMO, the best way would be to 'clone' the other filter you have.

Im guessing its cycled, so take half of it and put it with half of the new sponge in the new filter. And vice versa.

So in each filter you will have;- half new sponge and half cycled sponge.
Then, when like this, it will take approx 2 weeks to fully establish itself to the new filter media.

A little water change every 3 or so days and quick watertest would be great. Just make sure you feed the filter. This can be done with Fish Food in a sock, or buy a group of snails. Or even the betta himself, but you will need to make sure you do lots of weaterchanges so he is not affected by it.

HTH

 

[nayfeee88]

Thanks for replying

My only concern in doing it that way is that the other tank has not been established very long & I'm slightly concerned about removing half of the bacteria in it. It has been fishless cycled using ammonia which took around 4-5 weeks, and it has got fish in there.

Would it be possible to put the other filter in alongside the first one, and run them together? This way I'm not removing any bacteria from the first one, but allowing the 2nd one to colonise?

 

[aly_starh]

Thanks for replying

My only concern in doing it that way is that the other tank has not been established very long & I'm slightly concerned about removing half of the bacteria in it. It has been fishless cycled using ammonia which took around 4-5 weeks, and it has got fish in there.

Would it be possible to put the other filter in alongside the first one, and run them together? This way I'm not removing any bacteria from the first one, but allowing the 2nd one to colonise?

Yep! But.... it will take longer. If i remember correctly about 6-8 weeks.

What are the water statistics of the other tank?

 

[nayfeee88]

Thanks for replying

My only concern in doing it that way is that the other tank has not been established very long & I'm slightly concerned about removing half of the bacteria in it. It has been fishless cycled using ammonia which took around 4-5 weeks, and it has got fish in there.

Would it be possible to put the other filter in alongside the first one, and run them together? This way I'm not removing any bacteria from the first one, but allowing the 2nd one to colonise?

Yep! But.... it will take longer. If i remember correctly about 6-8 weeks.

What are the water statistics of the other tank?

It's been fully cycled for approx 1 week. Ammonia has remained at 0, NitrIte 0 & NitrAte 10-20ppm (tap water has 0ppm here).

 

[aly_starh]

Thanks for replying

My only concern in doing it that way is that the other tank has not been established very long & I'm slightly concerned about removing half of the bacteria in it. It has been fishless cycled using ammonia which took around 4-5 weeks, and it has got fish in there.

Would it be possible to put the other filter in alongside the first one, and run them together? This way I'm not removing any bacteria from the first one, but allowing the 2nd one to colonise?

Yep! But.... it will take longer. If i remember correctly about 6-8 weeks.

What are the water statistics of the other tank?

It's been fully cycled for approx 1 week. Ammonia has remained at 0, NitrIte 0 & NitrAte 10-20ppm (tap water has 0ppm here).

Then i garuntee you that its safe enough to clone

 

[OohFeeshy]

You don't even need to take as much as a half really. Even a quarter would be more than sufficient. You can always up the water changes for the first couple of weeks if you're concerned.

 

[Assaye]

Cycling?

Take a teeny bit of media (maybe 1/4 of a sponge or a handful of ceramic rings) from the cycled tank and add them to the new filter. Then I'd do a mini-fishless cycle. Should only take a couple of weeks as you've already established the media with the right bacteria - you're just increasing the colonies.

You could do without the mini-fishless but you wanted a sure fire cycle and not a quick one.

On the main tank just keep an eye on the water with daily water tests and change water if needed. If you've not had a spike within a week, you should be fine to go back to normal maintainance.

I'd be doing 20% a week on the new tank. I like to slightly overdo water changes, just to be sure I'm getting the nitrites down, minerals up and keeping the pH stable.