Tank For Soon To Get Betta

[Trabetta]

I have not decided yet weather to get a 2.5 gallon tank or the 5 gallon tank. http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3611436 . Since I will be going off to basic training over the summer (going into Army reserves) and I have no idea if my parents would be able to keep the tank in good condition while im gone. BTW im age 17. Im leaning toward starting with the 2.5 gallon then when I come back get a 5 gallon tank, then go back to 2.5 gallon when I go off to college. And after all then eventialy have a 10 gallon after I get a steady job. And if I do get a 2.5 gallong tank would a male betta with a ghost shrimp be an O.K. mix in that size of a tank?

 

[woodstock]

IMO, I always go for the biggest i can get. 2.5 will be fine for a betta with the right treatments, like water changes and the whatnot. Twice a week for changes, I think (cycled). If you can, I would get a 5 gallon. It's less maintenance for you and your parents, and once a week water changes (cycled). If it's uncycled, you'll just end up doing every day / every other day changes. In a 2.5, you could probably have a shrimp. Others may argue though. Don't be too surprised if your shrimp ends up dead, I've seen it both successful and unsuccessful pretty often. Good luck~

 

[silverrabbit]

I think if you're worried about your parents maintaining your betta tank while you're away, you are better off getting the 5gal. The water IMO will be more stable, even if a water change is missed out every so often.

Woodstock says it all pretty good

I've kept shrimp with the majority of my bettas without any probs, but one had issues with cherries lol.

 

[GuppyGoddess]

Hi,
I have a 2 gallon and the water has to be 100% changed every few days. If you can wait until you can get a 5 gallon, then try to.

Just a thought: if you get a smaller tank, a female betta will be able to swim around more easily in it than a large fin male betta. My double tail was in a 3-gallon and would struggle to turn around. . .now I have a female in there and she swims smoothly throughout the tank. The male was moved to a 5-gallon.

 

[Trabetta]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I think ill go with the 5 gallon tank now. BTW what are other fish that can do well in a 5 gallon tank with a betta fish, or just do well in a 5 gallon tank in general?

 

[Honeythorn]

None. The tank is only just big enough for the betta and his waste production. Tankmates are not essential and if you want any you will need around 10 gallons or more.

 

[LilyRose Tank]

hang on a sec...how long you going away for? and how long would your parents be looking after him for. Don't you think its more responsible to think about this after you go through and finish your training,
a 5 gallon tank would be healthier for the betta, I have apple snails in with mine, and they seem ok, even though they get flared at? whats he gonna do..bump him in the shell?
anyway, think about this begfore rushing in, you can wait until basic training etc is finished and then you can be the responsible mummy to the betta instead of your parents
( sorry, just being honest)

 

[GuppyGoddess]

None. The tank is only just big enough for the betta and his waste production. Tankmates are not essential and if you want any you will need around 10 gallons or more.

2nd. Only a betta would be good for a 5-gallon. Even a 10-gallon is pushing it if you're wanting to add additional fish. *Personally* I feel if a tank is 20-gallon or smaller, a betta should be by his/her self.

 

[Assaye]

If you can afford it, go for the 5 gallon. It will be easier to care for than the 2.5 gallon because it will be easier to keep the water in good condition. The reason for this is that if something goes wrong in the smaller tank, there is less extra water to mitigate the damage. I also that that 5 gallons is the minimum tank size that people should get if they are cold bloodedly buying a new tank for a new fish. Obviously some people have to make do with smaller tanks because they take on a rescue or get given a fish, but if you're buying a new fish, get the larger tank size.

If you are getting a betta and especially if you are getting one that your parents will have to look after, please consider a fishless cycle. The information on how to do it is here. It is an easy way of preparing your filter and tank for the new fish. Doing it without a fishless cycle (so simply setting up the tank and putting the fish in) exposes the fish to some nasty chemicals that occur before the tank eco-system is under control.

 

[MrNiceGuy]

this is just personal opinion but i feel that mini bow-front tanks look gimmicky and childish. i bought a 2.5 gallon tank from petsmart just a couple weeks ago. it looks like any ordinary rectangle fish tank... just a lot smaller. i think it was somethin like 13 dollars.

i also kept a betta with ghost shrimp in it at first and it turned out pretty disastrous. one of the ghost shrimp completely went missing, i walked in on another being chomped by the betta... and a few days later after i thought they all died, i found the third shrimp and moved him to my 20 gallon tank. So a little advice with shrimp... definitely add them before the betta. Make sure the tank is well decorated with small hiding spots. And dont be surprised if they end up in your bettas mouth. good luck.

Twice a week for changes, I think (cycled). If you can, I would get a 5 gallon.

i know most people on the boards wont agree but i think 2 water changes a week in a 2.5 gallon tank will definitely cause more stress than the compromised water quality.

 

[hamfist]

None. The tank is only just big enough for the betta and his waste production. Tankmates are not essential and if you want any you will need around 10 gallons or more.

2nd. Only a betta would be good for a 5-gallon. Even a 10-gallon is pushing it if you're wanting to add additional fish. *Personally* I feel if a tank is 20-gallon or smaller, a betta should be by his/her self.

Sorry, don't agree with this. In a 5 gallon, a betta can easily be kept with a trio of pygmy cories or a couple of small gobies or something similar (something completely non-aggressive and ideally bottom-feeding). Just need a decent water change schedule.
Yes, Bettas do appreciate bigger tanks when they are well planted etc (I have a large plakat male a in an 80 gallon community, and he loves it !) but if you have a reasonable filter a 5 gallon can cope with a betta and a couple of very small tank-mates.

And to respond to MrNiceGuy's thoughts that frequent water changes stress fish - I also disagree with this as a blanket statement. If you do regular, frequent water changes, then the fish simply get used to it, and are not stressed at all by them. I'd say that Betta's are one of the species of fish that adapt the quickest to this.

 

[tom130691]

None. The tank is only just big enough for the betta and his waste production. Tankmates are not essential and if you want any you will need around 10 gallons or more.

2nd. Only a betta would be good for a 5-gallon. Even a 10-gallon is pushing it if you're wanting to add additional fish. *Personally* I feel if a tank is 20-gallon or smaller, a betta should be by his/her self.

agree with the first

i think 20 gal is pushing it a bit tbh
i have a 15gal/64 liters and i have all the fish in my sig i no its overstocked but most of the fish are young and it is double filterd

None. The tank is only just big enough for the betta and his waste production. Tankmates are not essential and if you want any you will need around 10 gallons or more.

2nd. Only a betta would be good for a 5-gallon. Even a 10-gallon is pushing it if you're wanting to add additional fish. *Personally* I feel if a tank is 20-gallon or smaller, a betta should be by his/her self.

Sorry, don't agree with this. In a 5 gallon, a betta can easily be kept with a trio of pygmy cories or a couple of small gobies or something similar (something completely non-aggressive and ideally bottom-feeding). Just need a decent water change schedule.
Yes, Bettas do appreciate bigger tanks when they are well planted etc (I have a large plakat male a in an 80 gallon community, and he loves it !) but if you have a reasonable filter a 5 gallon can cope with a betta and a couple of very small tank-mates.

And to respond to MrNiceGuy's thoughts that frequent water changes stress fish - I also disagree with this as a blanket statement. If you do regular, frequent water changes, then the fish simply get used to it, and are not stressed at all by them. I'd say that Betta's are one of the species of fish that adapt the quickest to this.

i will look in to this more but i was previously told 1 betta in 5 gal only other thing i could put was one shrimp...how ever the filter im using is rated 5-15gall (with restricted flow for betta) but i would like him to have a bottem feeder or two (only friends atm are 1 assassin snail ad a few mts)

 

[woodstock]

I would imagine because of the limited flow from the filter, it wouldn't be exactly for 5-15 gallons anymore? Just a thought. But it could easily be made up with more water changes.

 

[tom130691]

I would imagine because of the limited flow from the filter, it wouldn't be exactly for 5-15 gallons anymore? Just a thought. But it could easily be made up with more water changes.

ye im sure it would drop but no below the 5 gal but there is live plants and i do weekly 50% changes anyway