New Betta

[jaycat]

Hi, my partner is just buying first Betta. Will put in tank 18x10x8. Do we need a filter? I have one ready cycled if necessary. Also substrate, thinking of sand, any thoughts please. Have read posts re cleaning, acclimatizing. Not sure about filter really.
I have tropical, this will be our first Betta.

Many thanks, Jackie

 

[guppy_man]

If you have a filter then i would use it, otherwise you will have alot more water changes and mess to clean up, gravel or sand is fine, sand looks ALOT nicer IMO.

Anything else

 

[stang1]

I'm a big believer in filters so I would say to use one. Even though Bettas like little or no flow, you should be able to adjust the flow to enable this. You could either have the nozzle hitting the back of the tank or place an ornament in front of the filter to help stem the flow. A couple of members have used an empty plastic bottle cut in half and placed over the filter with success.

 

[jaycat]

Please,
with my tropical I do a 20% water change once a week, (it's a 96l), would we need to do a larger change with him or not? Is he really fine on his own?

 

[liz2]

If you are using a filter try to direct the flow towards the back of tank. Some boys get agitated at the flow, whereas some like it. I always use the pretty glass pebbles you can get for the base of my tanks. Easy to keep clean. They are also very easy to sterilise if needs be. If using artificial plants make sure they are really smooth as bettas fins are delicate. For cheap caves I use terracotta plant pots, but make sure they are well scrubbed and use aquatic glue to stick a button over the drain hole as bettas like to try to get through anything!

 

[stang1]

Great advice from Liz!
He will be fine on his own, they are solitary fish by nature so are more than happy on their lonesome.
If you are using a filter, then you only need do a 10-15% water change weekly.

 

[jaycat]

Hi, many thanks for your help.

We're off to pick him up on Saturday. Fell in love when we saw him!!

 

[stang1]

Welcome to the Betta club!!!
You do realise you won't just stop at one....

 

[jaycat]

yes sort of guessing at that now. Trying to work out where to put him!

 

[stang1]

You'll find somewhere. And then you'll start eyeing up every nook and cranny in your house wondering how many Betta tanks you can fit in....

 

[devon_charm]

You'll find somewhere. And then you'll start eyeing up every nook and cranny in your house wondering how many Betta tanks you can fit in....

No truer words than these

Hey you better get us pics of him once he is settled lol, we love to drool over others fish

 

[stang1]

You'll find somewhere. And then you'll start eyeing up every nook and cranny in your house wondering how many Betta tanks you can fit in....

No truer words than these

Hey you better get us pics of him once he is settled lol, we love to drool over others fish

 

[jaycat]

will do. He's deep red!!