The Perfect Betta Setup And Care

[sona98765]

I will be discussing the care and perfect tank setup ( in my opinion) for a male betta!
Ok here goes nothing;

Tank Setup;

Obtain a large aquarium kit( preferably 10 gallons),. ( light, hood, filter and actual aquarium)
Get a type of substrate ( I use river rocks)
Some live plants such as hornwort, and java fern
An appropriately sized heater
Water conditioner, starter bacteria, food, and a brine shrimp net
A mirror
A male betta
A hiding place ( I made mine out of large rocks)

1) rinse the aquarium and substrate with warm water. Place the substrate, and the hiding place in the tank.
2) place the heater and filter in the aquarium. Make sure the filter is not too strong.
3) fill the tank about halfway and add the plants.
4) fill the tank to the top and add water conditioner and some starter bacteria.
5) put on the hood and let your tank cycle for 2 weeks.
6) go get your betta and some snail friends( I have 5 apple snails and a ton of "pest" snails, though I really like them)
7) don't feed your betta until the second morning, and when you do, only a couple of flakes a couple times a day.
8) once a day, for 5 mins, put the mirror near his tanks and he will flare, this is good excessive for him.

The water should be from 78-85 degrees Fahrenheit
You can add him some other fish, but be careful as not all bettas like company
They can live for up to 7 years with proper care

Hope this helped!

 

[Cazgar]

Not bad advice, but putting starter bacteria in & letting it cycle empty for 2 weeks won't cycle the filter, best to see the beginners resource section here
a mirror imo isn't necessary, flaring causes stress, a happy healthy Betta doesn't need to flare.
Also again imo 85 degrees is too high, 78/80 is better

 

[OldMan47]

Good catch Cazgar. That would be almost warm enough to cook a betta, not make him comfortable. I also agree with the mirror thing. It is only useful for showing off your fish to your friends, but is not good for the fish.

 

[sona98765]

Ok thx guys, I thought the mirror was good because he seemed really lazy and I needed him to exercise lol

 

[sona98765]

Anyone else think this is good?

 

[Fintastic!]

Sorry to go slightly off-topic but I have a Juwel aquaruim and the glass is quite mirror-like, especially at the sides. My betta often does a sort of jiggy dance at his reflection. Is this stressing him do you think? He seems content buy he can't exactly tell me.

 

[sona98765]

Sorry to go slightly off-topic but I have a Juwel aquaruim and the glass is quite mirror-like, especially at the sides. My betta often does a sort of jiggy dance at his reflection. Is this stressing him do you think? He seems content buy he can't exactly tell me.

Hi,

Is he doing the "jiggy dance" alot?
Also you could try either dimming the lights or making them brighter.
Another thing you could do is add some decorations to the side or plants.
Good luck and keep us updated

 

[Fintastic!]

Thanks Sona, he does it a lot. I have lots of plants and rocks and a couple of coconut caves so he's ok there. The lights are very bright, I'm looking into changing them.

 

[Cazgar]

One of mine used to do that.
I solved it by putting some matt black card at the back of the tank, & puiing plants at the sides

 

[sona98765]

Thanks Sona, he does it a lot. I have lots of plants and rocks and a couple of coconut caves so he's ok there. The lights are very bright, I'm looking into changing them.

Always happy to help

One of mine used to do that.
I solved it by putting some matt black card at the back of the tank, & puiing plants at the sides

I find with black as a background they seem to see their reflection more
But then again, every betta is different