The Marine Betta Kit

[puppy213]

So would a 17 gallon be good (20$) ? Or should I go with 25gallon for 100$ ?

 

[Assaye]

So would a 17 gallon be good (20$) ? Or should I go with 25gallon for 100$ ?

For one betta, you don't need to go that big. If you want something small and cheap, look for a 3.5-6 US gallon tank (that's about 15-22 litres).

If the tank is too small, the fish will be bored, get sick quicker and toxins from the fish urine will build up, which can easily kill the fish. If the fish is bored, sick or stressed, he will not move much, not be very brightly coloured and you'll notice he isn't very happy.

Things you need -

+ Tank (3.5-6 US gallons minimum)
+ Somewhere to hide (a cave of some sort, you could just use half a coconut shell or a plant pot)
+ A heater (the betta needs warm water - about 74-78 degrees fahrenheit)
+ A filter (this needs to be cycled so that it has enough bacteria to remove all the toxins the fish will produce. It also circulates the water to stop it getting stagnant and picks up any debris. If you don't have a filter, you'll need to do water changes several times a week)
+ Some plants (make sure they are soft, such as silk ones, as the fins will tear easily)
+ Betta food (they do much betta on specialist food, like Hikari Beta Bio Gold)
+ Water conditioner (because the stuff they use to treat water for people is bad for fish. Get something like 'Tap Safe' or 'Stress Coat')
+ Ideally a test kit that checks for ammonia and other toxins

You can get stuff cheap on ebay, craigslist, freecycle or via local classified adverts. Keep a look out and don't get a fish until you can give him a proper home. Keeping a betta in the wrong tank is like keeping a kitten in a shoebox.

 

[Honeythorn]

For one betta, you don't need to go that big.

You're actually telling her to go with a small tank when she can get a 17 gallon for $20? Are you clinically INSANE? Why on earth would anyone in their right brains get a 3 gallon when they can have a 17 and a much healthier fish with decent swimming space?

Puppy213 - If you have the space for the 17 gallon, and the money, GET IT.

You can make that into a splendid home for a single male betta with some very carefully chosen safe tank mates like cories, khulie loaches or endlers.

You could divide the tank in half with a divider ( you can get them on ebay ) and have 2 males, one on each side ( many people on here have a similar sort of setup ).

You could have a group of female bettas. They are just as pretty and full of personality as males, they simply don't have the huge long fins. They come in just as many beautiful colours and you could have a great soroity of 6-8 girls .

I have 5 girls in a 12 gallon and they are very pretty and entertaining.

 

[lilacamy931]

Go with the 17 gallon very good deal and can divide as suggested for two males!

 

[craig855s]

i think maybe she means 17L for 20 dollars? maybe....thats what i have, a 17 litre that cost 35 pounds as a kit..gravel and filter included

 

[snuzzle]

i think maybe she means 17L for 20 dollars? maybe....thats what i have, a 17 litre that cost 35 pounds as a kit..gravel and filter included

The pet store I work at (very well known, so won't mention names, but it's one of the "big ones" in the US) sells 10 gal tanks for the same price as 5 gal (no I don't get it either.) The price of either? $13.99. Get a bag or two of gravel for $3.99 apiece (your choice of color!). Filter for $10. Heater for $10. And a little place for him to hide for $2-$3. That's, as I understand it, bare minimum for a happy betta.

Total cost: under $50. It's more than that little supposed "all-included" cup, but your betta will also be happier and healthier and live a longer life. Plus, you get to decorate it yourself!

I know all these prices off the top of my head because I am planning on getting a betta soon for myself, so I have looked into how I can give my little guy a good home, while not breaking the bank (That's why I'm on this forum, looking for all the information I can before I take the plunge, to use the phrase. Hi!)

Oh also check out Freecycle.org. I don't know if they've got a group where you live, but this place is great for getting and unloading free stuff if you do. I almost got a tank through them, but the guy flaked at the last minute and never gave me an address to pick it up (drat... would have been a free 20gal!)

 

[lycaena]

i think maybe she means 17L for 20 dollars? maybe....thats what i have, a 17 litre that cost 35 pounds as a kit..gravel and filter included

The pet store I work at (very well known, so won't mention names, but it's one of the "big ones" in the US) sells 10 gal tanks for the same price as 5 gal (no I don't get it either.) The price of either? $13.99. Get a bag or two of gravel for $3.99 apiece (your choice of color!). Filter for $10. Heater for $10. And a little place for him to hide for $2-$3. That's, as I understand it, bare minimum for a happy betta.

Total cost: under $50. It's more than that little supposed "all-included" cup, but your betta will also be happier and healthier and live a longer life. Plus, you get to decorate it yourself!

I know all these prices off the top of my head because I am planning on getting a betta soon for myself, so I have looked into how I can give my little guy a good home, while not breaking the bank (That's why I'm on this forum, looking for all the information I can before I take the plunge, to use the phrase. Hi!)

Oh also check out Freecycle.org. I don't know if they've got a group where you live, but this place is great for getting and unloading free stuff if you do. I almost got a tank through them, but the guy flaked at the last minute and never gave me an address to pick it up (drat... would have been a free 20gal!)

i think we may work at the same place

 

[Assaye]

For one betta, you don't need to go that big.

You're actually telling her to go with a small tank when she can get a 17 gallon for $20? Are you clinically INSANE? Why on earth would anyone in their right brains get a 3 gallon when they can have a 17 and a much healthier fish with decent swimming space?

I was kinda working on the basis that she was on a super tight budget =/ if she wanted to get a tiny tank in the first place, I assumed she didn't have the money or the space for something bigger. I didn't tell her not to get the tank . . .

Obviously, the bigger the better. I was just trying to be practical.

 

[The young one]

Assaye is right, you don't need a tank that big for a betta and also the OP was sort of implying that she was on a tight budget.

 

[AdAndrews]

I have a 15litre baby biorb, thats what im going to use, seems ample for 1 male

 

[puppy213]

No it's 17 gallons , And I think an extra 5$ for a heater