Never Put A Betta In A 1-gallon Bowl!

[GuppyGoddess]

Eh, so I brought home a small girl Betta (1.25 inches) on Friday and put her in the 1-gallon I moved my male Betta out of. I've been monitoring her ammonia and am having to do TWO water changes per day. . .(partial ones).

I'd would get her a tank except I already told my husband I wouldn't bring home any more tanks.

So, (what I can get away with). . .I can either get her a 2-gallon drum or stick her in a 2.5 gallon mini-tank that I saw at a chain store and one that's small enough that my husband won't become suspicious. They're the same price, but the 2.5 is wider and rectangle. Sound like the better option?

Should I just put a super shallow amount of gravel - say 1/2 inch to provide more water volume for her?

Thanks.

 

[Rezatii]

2.5 really is minimum, if you are veryveryvery good with the water changes, depending on the size of your other tanks maybe you could use a divider so she has a little section in an already set up tank?


-Rezz

 

[jasminekiddell]

I like the idea of putting her in another tank with at least 14l to herself but if thats not an option for you then the 2.5G sounds better personally i wouldnt do any less than 3G but thats the biggest you can go, so id go with the 2.5G.

 

[loraxchick]

in a 2.5 rectangular tank you can get a small heater that will fit and make your own sponge filter. after it cycles you would only need to do partial water changes 1X/week. if youd like some simple instructions (or ANYONE for that matter) feel free to PM me. ive made many of them and they work amazingly well in smaller tanks without taking up a lot of swimming room (because they are customizable).
best of luck

 

[Honeythorn]

A better choice would be a 5 gallon hexagonal tank. This will provide not only far more surface area and swimming space than a bowl ( no fish of any description belongs in a bowl by the way ) But also the hex tank will take up a lot less table or stand space than a rectangular tank.

As examples, FishRfun and Clearseal both make hexagonal tanks, and I doubt your husband will mind if space is the problem as this will use a lot less of it. A 5 gal hex will fit neatly into a 12 inch square space. That kind of space is easily made ( I know because I have one ) .

A 5 gallon hex will also easily fit a filter and heater , and if you go with a FishRfun brand tank, it comes with a filter built into the lid. Otherwise a normal sponge filter or a small cannister filter with an adustable flow will work very well. I would reccomend the Rena Filstar if you can get one. Excellent for bettas the flow can be turned right down.

 

[GuppyGoddess]

A better choice would be a 5 gallon hexagonal tank. This will provide not only far more surface area and swimming space than a bowl ( no fish of any description belongs in a bowl by the way ) But also the hex tank will take up a lot less table or stand space than a rectangular tank.

As examples, FishRfun and Clearseal both make hexagonal tanks, and I doubt your husband will mind if space is the problem as this will use a lot less of it. A 5 gal hex will fit neatly into a 12 inch square space. That kind of space is easily made ( I know because I have one ) .

A 5 gallon hex will also easily fit a filter and heater , and if you go with a FishRfun brand tank, it comes with a filter built into the lid. Otherwise a normal sponge filter or a small cannister filter with an adustable flow will work very well. I would reccomend the Rena Filstar if you can get one. Excellent for bettas the flow can be turned right down.

Thanks for the recommendation. The reason my husband is totally against my fish hobby is because I won't stop talking about my new little babies. If I'm good and quit talking, then by the time my birthday rolls around, I'll be able to discuss another/larger tank. lol Gotta wait a few months. Hopefully by then I find a good stable table that will fit somewhere in the house.

 

[jasminekiddell]

Apparently im fish obsessed my friends say its all i talk about. I can't help it i just love showing off that i have 10 bettas etc lol, Guppy, i know how you feel haha my mums just like your husband! My mum wont let me have any more tanks now though

 

[danb_1985]

make your own sponge filter

sorry to jump in post and i know you said to pm but im not sure how so how do you do this?

 

[Assaye]

Remember folks - 1 US gallon is smaller than one UK gallon. I wouldn't be happy with only 2.5 US gallons for a betta. My personal minimum is 14 litres (3 UK gallons).

You need to be able to fit in at least a heater, and that's if you are willing to do all the water changes necessary to keep the ammonia and nitrites down in an unfiltered tank. They also like plants and a bit of cover. Even if it means sacrificing vital swimming space, I'd still put these in as it'll make her feel more comfortable.

The bigger tank the better for her, so if the 2.5 gallon mini tank is the biggest, get that. Just make sure it is a proper tank, not a fancy 'betta home' that puts looks before fish care.

 

[loraxchick]

make your own sponge filter

sorry to jump in post and i know you said to pm but im not sure how so how do you do this?

to send a PM, click on the name of the person and then select send message when the option drops down.

 

[GuppyGoddess]

Remember folks - 1 US gallon is smaller than one UK gallon. I wouldn't be happy with only 2.5 US gallons for a betta. My personal minimum is 14 litres (3 UK gallons). fish care.

I'm getting her a simple 2.5 rectangle tank today, along with a tiny heater, and a couple plants. I'm just going to put gravel around the plants and leave 3/4 of the bottom bare for now. . .that'll give her more water volume and then also I don't have to buy another bag of gravel.