What Should I Change To Make This Tank Suitable For A Betta?

[hodgeheg]

I originally bought this small tank (3.5 US gallons) as a fry tank but (due to a very foolish, completely idiotic occurence that was completely my fault and which I will never forgive myself for) all of the fry died

Anyway, so then I decided to buy new gravel, a better filter, new decorations etc without deciding what fish I wanted. Now I think I'd like a single male betta but I'd like to know which parts of this set up are unsuitable for a betta.

The plants are all plastic but the taller ones at the back are very smooth to the touch. I may have to remove the small plants at the front and I realise that the rock to the right hand side has gotta go. My main cuandry is the log, is that also too rough for a betta's fins?

I have a Superfish Aqua-flow 100 filter and a 25 watt heater. The filter is currently maturing in my other tank.

 

[jasminekiddell]

I originally bought this small tank (3.5 US gallons) as a fry tank but (due to a very foolish, completely idiotic occurence that was completely my fault and which I will never forgive myself for) all of the fry died

Anyway, so then I decided to buy new gravel, a better filter, new decorations etc without deciding what fish I wanted. Now I think I'd like a single male betta but I'd like to know which parts of this set up are unsuitable for a betta.

The plants are all plastic but the taller ones at the back are very smooth to the touch. I may have to remove the small plants at the front and I realise that the rock to the right hand side has gotta go. My main cuandry is the log, is that also too rough for a betta's fins?

I have a Superfish Aqua-flow 100 filter and a 25 watt heater. The filter is currently maturing in my other tank.

Ok, Well firstly get rid of all plastic plants, silk plants are alright but bettas love live plants. The plastic plants may look alright but when you get a lovely longed finned male swimming around he could just catch it! Could you possibly sand down the log?
Sand is a brilliant substrate for bettas and most people on this site use it for bettas, its easier to clean and its not jagged like gravel.
Also on this site we say a minumum of 3G for a betta, so that tank will do nicely others go smaller with tanks but that tanks perfect size!
Hope this helped a litttle. Also bettas like water of 74-80.
Another thing, how strong is that filter? Male bettas have thin long fins making it harder for them to swim through strong currents some bettas like it most dont, so you could maybe put something it the filter outlet to easen out the force or think about getting a stingray 5 filter or another mini filter.

 

[Rezatii]

The general rule is ALL plastic plants are a no-go (I'm sure there are exceptions, but I wouldn't risk it), most silk plants are fine, as are live.

With other things we tend to do a 'snag test' take a pair of low-denier tights and run them along the item, if it snags, it's a no-go XD

-Rezz

 

[hodgeheg]

Thank you, to both of you

I did have a Stingray 5 filter!! But I was worried about it maturing because of the zeolite within it, so now my boyfriend has it in his soon to be newt tank The filter I have is quite small and I can adjust the flow strength and direction.

What internet site would you recommend for buying silk plants?

I'll just put the log into my other tank and swap it for a smooth bridge I have in there - I don't think I could choose which pair of tights to sacrifice!

Oh, and thank you for the temperature!

 

[GuppyGoddess]

I'd possibly take out the log because it's taking up a lot of space.

My betta (with long fins) has silk plants and there are still plastic on the "stems" and it seems he's snagged a bit. Also find a betta with smaller fins. . .I've found that my veil tail has an easier time moving in his two-gallon than my bigger betta does in his three gallon (they simply need more room). Or you could go with a female!

 

[jasminekiddell]

I'd possibly take out the log because it's taking up a lot of space.

My betta (with long fins) has silk plants and there are still plastic on the "stems" and it seems he's snagged a bit. Also find a betta with smaller fins. . .I've found that my veil tail has an easier time moving in his two-gallon than my bigger betta does in his three gallon (they simply need more room). Or you could go with a female!

It doesnt really matter wether you buy a smaller finned male betta as he'll just grow splendidly anyway if you take good care of him. Yes thats a good idea changing the log, do you have any cave sort of things to put in the betta tank?
Bettas love somewhere to hide when they feel like it, cocunut caves are brilliant! You could probably post in the classified section and someone will probably make you one for a good price! You can use plant pots too, but obviously you dont want to take up too much room. In my male tank which is nearly 3G i just have a cocunut cave, 2 live plants and tomorrow im getting a male for it along with another small plant.
That filter should do fine If you want a male go with that, even females shouldnt have plastic plants no matter how big their fins are, NO plastic plants. The plant i actually put in my males tank once cut me, then i realized it wasnt safe for a fish ither lol!
Hmmm a place for silk plants? Again, post in the classified section and see if anyone has any, or you could try ebay?

 

[Amberleaf]

I'd possibly take out the fake plants; I use fake plants for some of my Bettas, but I prefer live plants, now, ANYWAYS.

What happened to make all the fry die, may I ask?

 

[hodgeheg]

I'd possibly take out the fake plants; I use fake plants for some of my Bettas, but I prefer live plants, now, ANYWAYS.

What happened to make all the fry die, may I ask?

I would like to try live plants, but I don't think that my light is right for them and my Dad goes abit mental if I leave it on

I didn't cycle the tank and just put them straight in thinking all would be dandy, I just got over-excited because I'd finally got another tank

 

[jasminekiddell]

If you cant have your tank light on much then you could get some low-light plants such as elodea? It barely needs much light to grow, or you could get all silk plants! Sorry about your fry, cycling is always essential for fish

 

[Amberleaf]

Java moss doesn't always need light to grow good!

 

[lilacamy931]

Moss balls are fully recommended too !

 

[hodgeheg]

I'll have a look what mosses there are at my lfs then

I've just finished making my first little coconut cave it's busy boiling away downstairs right now.