Noob To Bettas

[greenscooby]

Hi all, i would like to buy a betta, i know it cannot go into my community tank so therefore have to buy another tank, but i'm so confused, tried to research as much as possible but all the info i've read seems to contrdict itself, so if you could indulge me i'd like some help,

1, Best size tank (don't want to go to big but not small to make the betta unhappy-make sense?)
2, Filter and heater, whats best to get?
3, Tank companions ?, would like to keep at least another fish with the betta if thats possible.
4, Best substrate?
5, Anything else you can think of that might help!!!

Sorry for all the obvious questions but i'm so confused and my head is now starting to spin

Any help (or put downs for asking such stupid questions ) would be greatly appreciated.


Many Thanks,

Mark.

 

[Truck]

5 gallon
25 watt heater and an air powered filter
a small shoal of 6 pygmy cories although you would need to upgrade to a 10 gallon
sand for cories
lots of plants!

 

[Ripley]

I would say a 5-10 gallon would be best to start out with. 3 gallon would work too, but 5-10 gallons would be easier to manage in terms of water temp. and water changes. Most filters will do for a 5-10 gallon with a betta in it. I like Aqua Clears myself. The water temperature should be around 78C or so. In terms of substrate, it's up to you. What ever you think looks nice. I like sand, but gravel can look nice as well. Tank mates will depend on what size tank you get.

 

[greenscooby]

Thanks for that guys, just been to my LFS and they have a nice 5gallon tank there with filter all i gotta do is buy a heater and the substrate, all in £50, didn't think that was too bad.

What plants should i put in(common names please still learning about plants and get easily confused!! ) ?

Many thanks,

Mark.

 

[Netty]

Camboba and java fern are quite easy to grow. Moss balls look really nice and maybe some floating amazon frogbit. Bettas like to hang around in the roots of these.

 

[greenscooby]

Thank you for that, the camboba looks really pretty, i've got moss balls in my community tank not only do they look nice but the fish love swimming around them, will definately get a couple of those for the betta tank.

Once again many thanks,

Mark.

 

[Netty]

No probs Mark.....just noticed you're not that far from us

 

[Truck]

duck weed, anubias sp, crypts sp, echinodorus sp

 

[greenscooby]

Right on the border with you, got the best of both worlds, Gorgeous Cornwall for weekends and holidays and Dartmoor for sunday walks!!!!

 

[Netty]

We're down in Truro so still have that extra hour to get out lol but it is a great part of the world to live and the nearest beach is only 15 mins away.

 

[greenscooby]

Ooops!! sorry about this , forgot to ask what other fish i could put in with betta?

Would only like 1 or 2, not too many as it's only a small tank.

Any recommendations greatly appreciated,

Many thanks,

Mark.

 

[Netty]

Depends on the size of tank you get. Bottom dwellers like Ottos, Corys or Pygmy Corys but they need a mature tank so you'd have to wait a while before adding them.

Also bear in the mind that not all Bettas will tolerate any kind of tank mates so have a back up plan just in case.

 

[greenscooby]

Thank you, will leave it a few months after i get my tank up and running then make a decision, might just find i'll enjoy him on his own, making sure theres loads of hiding places, half the fun is trying to find them!!! lol

Once again many thanks,

Mark.

 

[hollanda88]

Thank you, will leave it a few months after i get my tank up and running then make a decision, might just find i'll enjoy him on his own, making sure theres loads of hiding places, half the fun is trying to find them!!! lol

Once again many thanks,

Mark.

My new betta has a clown plec as his tank mate, 4" max size and hes not very big atm, they have noticed each other and seem fine with the idea lol, bonis is the clown plec is really pretty too

andrew