New Tank For My Betta!

[CPQ]

Hi, I've currently got a male in my community tank and I'm thinking of buying him his own home. He doesn't have any particular problems in the community tank but it's not at all ideal for him (strong filter/pump means lots of water movement and he's in there with gouramis and fin-nippers like tiger barbs and neons!).
I was just wondering if anyone could give me a bit more info on what I need for him!? I've heard of people keeping bettas in bowls without filters etc but I'm presuming this isn't ideal? how do you cycle a tank with no filter!??

Does anyone know what kind of size tank I'll need (litres not gallons please - they confuse me! lol).

As far as tank mates go i've got a few ideas. I thought some spotted rasboras or endlers and then an oto or two (more if i dont need a filter - just to keep the tank shiny and clean!)

any advice would be great!

Thanks

 

[1234-fishy-freind]

I currently have a 7 litre tank with just the one male betta in there.
For the filter i DIY'd one http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=85297
I dont have any other fish in the tank and i dont have a heater because my house is always kept quite warm.
In some lfs they keep male bettas in betta cups and some do live but some dont, a large bowl of maybe 4 litres without a filter could work, put some mature gravel from your commy tank into it and it should help, if you do that setup it would be best to change water about every other day, maybe 25%-50% of it, bettas are hardy fish and they can live in bad water quality but its best to avoid that.
Hope that helps

 

[CPQ]

well, I was thinking of getting about a 30ish litre tank - give him lots of swimming space and room for some tankmates!

Would I be ok not to have a filter in there and do frequent water changes or would a fillter be better? and if no filter is fine, would I need one if I added other fish to the tank!?

Sorry for all the questions .... just don't want to move him unless I'm sure I'm doing it right! lol

 

[1234-fishy-freind]

You would need a filter for a 30 litre tank for him because more fish means more ammonia ect, if you have an air pump you can buy a bubble filter for about £3, you will need to do the whole cycle thing again though so if you are going to get a 30 litre to sooner the better because you wont have to wait as long. You need an air pump for a bubbl filter though.
http/www.fishandfins.co.uk/images/algarde-biofoam-45.jpg
thats the sort of bubble filter i have, i am just maturing the sponge in my juwel filter.

 

[l.michelle]

A filter would be a good idea, as Fishy Friend said, you may also want to look into getting a heater for the betta, as they like warmer water. If you get a good size tank, you could put corys in as tankmates I want cories lol

Also, Make sure the tank has a lid to it, which it should anyway, but because some betta fish jump and could jump out.

 

[kingmed]

If you were just wanting to keep him by himself I'd go with at least a 11 liter (3 gallon) tank or perferrably a 19 liter (5 gallon) tank for your betta. I have one in a 5 gallon tank at the moment and he loves it. However if you wanted other fish like you mentioned it would probably be best to go with at least a 76 liter (20 gallon) tank or larger for the fish to have plenty of room. For a 11 or smaller it would be best to go with uncycling the tank--it'd be just as easy to do 100% water changes every 3-4 days than to worry about the hassle of cycling this small of a tank. My 5 gallon (19 liter) tank has no filter / not cycled, I do a 100% water change every 6-8 days and he's doing terriffic. Ya I know what your saying about not understanding the (GALLONS) issue--I'm the same with (LITERS). Hope everything works out great for you and your fish, I know bettas can live in something smaller than a 11 liter tank, which I have but I perfer a minimum of 11 liter myself.

 

[CPQ]

ok - well I have a 60 litre tank lying around which sounds like it would be ok. If i used that one would it be necessary to have a filter if it were just the fighter or him and a couple of otos or something?? Otherwise I might go for something a bit smaller and let him have it to himself!

Thanks!

 

[kingmed]

For otto's you most certainly would need to have a filter and be cycled in your tank. If you are going with the unfiltered uncycled look I'd go with something about 19 liters for just a betta maybe even a little smaller but not to much.

 

[CPQ]

ok thanks kingmed!

I think what I'll do is just get the old 60l out (filter and all) and get it cycling this weekend. then I can get my fighter in asap and figure out my stocking around him later!

thanks for your help!

 

[monica]

I would put white clouds in as tank mates. They are great with the bettas.

 

[kingmed]

Best wishes on everything, that does sound like a great idea and I'm sure alot of people will give you some great stocking ideas.

 

[CPQ]

Thanks!

So I've got it cycling now and I think I'm planning a little minitaures community around him - a shoal of pygmy corys and another of spotted rasboras. And I'm contemplating maybe some otos or cherry shrimps! Any ideas of ickle fishies that would work will be greatly appreciated! As for the minnows - I always thought they were cold water!? is that wrong?

oh and I've planted it with amazon sword and camboba and some nice bits of bogwood for the corys to play in!

Thanks for all ur help everyone - thought I'd update you!

 

[bubblesburst80]

thats sounding great, look forward to seeing pics!

xXx

 

[stang1]

Minnows can be kept in cold or tropical water, I kept mine in a tropical tank with no problems.