Small Tank For A Betta

[quicksandsecrets]

I purchased a betta this summer amd got hooked on the fish experience. I am currently setting up a 29g community freshwater tank, but in the meantime, I want to move Stanley from his 1 gallon bowl into a small filtered aquarium of his own. I am looking for sizes / set ups that have worked for others. I don't really have the space for a 10g, so I am thinking 3g or 5g. When I read the online reviews of most of the smaller aquarium "kits", it seems like each have their drawbacks.

I know a filtered tank will free me from doing such frequent water changes and maintain cleaner water for the fish, but I have read that bettas don't like too strong of a water flow, which can be an issue. I know that a heater is important as we get to the colder months (even here in sunny LA), but, again, I have heard that many smaller heaters can be tempermental and can get stuck "on" and the temp keeps rising.

I have a tendency of jumping too quick, and then realizing I should have asked more questions. What has worked for you (and your bettas?)

 

[Caprichoso]

They will toughen up in a current IMO. I have mine in my 140g, loads of current (Fx5 filter), the first 2 weeks he got thrown around by the current and avoided it. Now he swims right in it without a problem and chases my shrimp around! I realize this may not be ideal for every Betta but my guy is doing great and he swims all over the tank. Most people opt for putting them in tiny tanks but after how I've seen mine thrive in a big tank, I personally would never have one in anything smaller than a 20 gallon.

The Eheim Jager heater is great for smaller tanks. I had them in all my 5g shrimp breeding tanks and they never heated up the water beyond what I set them to.

 

[LeiLana80]

Ok so I always recommend this tank to people: Marineland Eclipse 6 gallon aquarium
I have this tank in their 3 gallon, 6 gallon, and 12 gallon, and they are the best tanks I've ever had. I kinda looked around a bit on the internet, and I think they stopped making them (very sad), so it might be hard to find one. But if you do, it's totally worth it. Works GREAT- I've had all three tanks for many years (running on and off), and as long as you clean them out very well before you store them, they last for forever.
I have my betta in the 6 gallon right now, and yes, the current is a little strong (I could put in an aquarium baffle), but he got used to it quick and now he has no issues.
Good luck picking one!

 

[quicksandsecrets]

Ok so I always recommend this tank to people: Marineland Eclipse 6 gallon aquarium
I have this tank in their 3 gallon, 6 gallon, and 12 gallon, and they are the best tanks I've ever had. I kinda looked around a bit on the internet, and I think they stopped making them (very sad), so it might be hard to find one.

Thanks for the tip. I like Marineland's filtration better than most in that size tank, but I have seen mixed reviews of the odd shaped models (hex and crescent), mostly about access for feeding, water changes. I will keep my eyes open for one of their more traditional models.

 

[quicksandsecrets]

I have been finding great bargains on 10g tanks, complete with quality filter/heater sam,e price as 5g........ not sure i have the space, but I am tempted.
If I go that big, any suggestions on other species that would share a tank with a male betta?

 

[LadyDragon]

For inexpensive, my boyfriend got his 5g set up (5g glass, filter, hood, and light) from Walmart for like $20.00. It took a 1.00 bottle of water to make the baffle for it, and a couple bucks in crafts to make the divider. Quick, easy and works beautifully.


I'm thinking of getting one of these "magic globes"
http/www.aquaticagallery.com/tlp/product/TwinDragons.htm
For my coffee table to display one of my HMs, the video of them on YouTube sort of sold me on them, they are PRETTY and interesting visually (because let's be honest; looks MATTER!) although with a Betta I think you may have to leave a little air open at the top for breathing.

 

[Juggler75]

Kept my betta in 10g with neons and pitbull plecos

 

[Dieses Madchen]

They will toughen up in a current IMO. I have mine in my 140g, loads of current (Fx5 filter), the first 2 weeks he got thrown around by the current and avoided it. Now he swims right in it without a problem and chases my shrimp around! I realize this may not be ideal for every Betta but my guy is doing great and he swims all over the tank. Most people opt for putting them in tiny tanks but after how I've seen mine thrive in a big tank, I personally would never have one in anything smaller than a 20 gallon.

The Eheim Jager heater is great for smaller tanks. I had them in all my 5g shrimp breeding tanks and they never heated up the water beyond what I set them to.

+1 My Betta is in a 10g and plays in the current now. Its the cutest thing. They may freak out about the current, and with some bettas, they may never get used to it (i had one like that) but most will acclimate themselves and become accustomed to the filter. There are ways to block the filter, without affecting filtration. A water bottle over the output slows down the current by a lot.

 

[SandyR]

If I go that big, any suggestions on other species that would share a tank with a male betta?

I have a 5 gal. Marineland Hex (which I love, BTW), and I have 2 Mystery Snails, one female Cherry Barb and 2 Balloon Mollies in with my Betta, Rover. I had a male Cherry Barb but he was too aggressive with Rover, so I took him back to the store. I now have a very happy community.

 

[quicksandsecrets]

I have a 5 gal. Marineland Hex (which I love, BTW), and I have 2 Mystery Snails, one female Cherry Barb and 2 Balloon Mollies in with my Betta, Rover. I had a male Cherry Barb but he was too aggressive with Rover, so I took him back to the store. I now have a very happy community.

are you happy w/ the Hex tank? I have read mixed reviews, some people love it, others not so much. is there enough room in the hood cut-outs to fit a heater cord? any troubles?

 

[pablothebetta]

I definitely wouldn't go for less than a 5 gallon. 5 gallons, along with a couple of shrimp and/or a snail or two should make a nice betta home, but obviously the bigger the better. If you could get a 10g+, you'd be able to have other fish such as pygmy cories in there with him too. In the UK, I personally find the the Aquastart 320 (7.4 US gallons) makes a nice size for a betta, so for me, it's definitely the bigger the better.

 

[pablothebetta]

If I go that big, any suggestions on other species that would share a tank with a male betta?

I have a 5 gal. Marineland Hex (which I love, BTW), and I have 2 Mystery Snails, one female Cherry Barb and 2 Balloon Mollies in with my Betta, Rover. I had a male Cherry Barb but he was too aggressive with Rover, so I took him back to the store. I now have a very happy community.

I'm sorry, SandyR, but I cannot see how you've got mollies and a barb in a 5 gallon. Barbs need to be in groups, and in tanks 15g+, and mollies in a similar tank size and do best in a more brackish setup. The only 5 gallon tankmates are shrimp and/or a snail or two. 10 gallons and you're looking at pygmy cories, but I cannot imagine a whole lot else to be on the safe side, even at this size of tank. Sorry about this, but I just thought you should know.

 

[Sweeden]

If you are an England resident go to HomeBargains they have tanks for £12 and comes with a mini filter and use the baffle technique my mate has done this and its working good for him.

exactly same as this tank but comes with stuff
http/www.petsathome.com/shop/my-first-fish-tank-by-pets-at-home-(available-in-store-only)-31848

just worked it out that tank is 11ltrs 2Gallons (Imp)

 

[LadyDragon]

I definitely wouldn't go for less than a 5 gallon. 5 gallons, along with a couple of shrimp and/or a snail or two should make a nice betta home, but obviously the bigger the better. If you could get a 10g+, you'd be able to have other fish such as pygmy cories in there with him too. In the UK, I personally find the the Aquastart 320 (7.4 US gallons) makes a nice size for a betta, so for me, it's definitely the bigger the better.

I was going to make similar comments.
You CAN keep balloon mollies in tanks that small, because they are essentially dwarf mollies, but as you mentioned they like their water OPPOSITE to Bettas. I.e. Hard and salty... And Bettas like their water soft and slightly acidic... Barbs (of any gender) like to school with their own kind, and if they don't they either turn aggressive or get sickly and depressive. They are also notorious fin-nippers.... Which means trouble for Bettas. Also 5g is small for all those fish...
It MAY work for a short time, but it's so far from what the fish require that eventually everyone will get sick or injured or both. I dont mean to be a downer, just it is kind of important to know what kind of world and situation your fish are designed to live in... Just because they are tough, doesn't mean they are indestructible.