New Betta Owner--CONFUSED!!?

Question

I just got my male betta fish today. He is in a 1/2 gallon tank right now. Is it true he wouln't live as long in this tank? I know I need to get a thermometer. Do I REALLY need to get a heater? And the same thing with a filtration system. I have Betta Bowl Conditioner. Is that the same thing? What else do I need to get???

Answer 1

Get a thermometer before you buy a heater. The light on the tank- if there is one- will keep the water warm enough. Water retains temperature better than air so it will stay warm through the night. I wouldn't worry about the water temp unless you are an air conditioning addict. Most people are trying to cool their tanks right now. Once the temp outside drops keep an eye on his thermometer- if it drops too low then you have a problem.

I would go right now and get a filter. You can get one for a five galllon for $10. Your fish will live longer, be healthier, more active, and you will have to do 1/3 of the maintenance. The filter will remove the debris that you normally would. The activated carbon will help neutralize chemical build up in the water. The filter will grow bacteria in it that will destroy the ammonia. Please- go get a filter.

Be sure to feed your Betta food that is made for him- treats are good too. Blood worms go over well.

A mini water siphon will help with partial water changes. NEVER change more than 1/3 of the water, stay around 25% water changes. This keeps that bacteria thriving (this bacteria may be the most important part of a healthy tank- you want to keep it alive).

Answer 2

If your home is cold and during winter YES get your Betta a heater. I don't know how long he'll live in that tank but I couldn't stand the small size and bought a 10 gallon, a heater and a filter. But when you buy a filter buy the one that creates the least current. Study NOW about Dropsy, especially and Pop-eye. I am sad now because I didn't know about Dropsy and my beautiful red male Betta seems to be dying from it. Go to www.TheBettaObsession.com and you can learn before hand. I think that bowl conditioner is just chlorine remover and not the same as a filtration system. Good luck. Oh yeah! I will not feed my Betta's dried worms anymore. Very small amount of pellet (or whatever kind of food) and less often than more appears to be healthiest for Betta's.

Answer 3

You can't put a heater in something that small. It would be too strong.

1/2 gallon is pretty small... I have my Betta in a 2.5 gallon tank and I'd still prefer that he have more room. They like to swim just like any other fish. I have mine in a heated area with a thermometer, though, so I don't need a heater. I keep him at 79 degrees all the time.

When you can, just get a regular 10 gallon glass aquarium at Walmart... they're like $12. Then you can get a small heater and he'll be a lot happier.

You don't really need a filter with a Betta... you can just change 10% of the water every few days and he should be fine. Water conditioner is good to remove ammonia and all that.

Answer 4

3 POINT OF VIEWS:

1: had a betta and kept him in a glass vase with some marbles on the bottom. I fed him just betta food. and swam over to the glass to look at. I kept him on my desk at my office. He lived for 4 years. No conditioner, no special tank or thermometer. Nothing. Just a vase, marbles, and a buffet.

2: For one, yes he is in a small environment, and yes a beta can grow. A heater wouldn't be required unless your in a climate where it gets pertty cold. Ave tem woudl be about 67-84 f. a filteration system would be great it does save on the clean up and betas can be pertty messy. You will need to get what is call ICK treatment... this will cure a type of yeast infection that the fish will get... it is white spots on the fish. Also... about a 5 gal tank providing you don't intend to get a bunch of fish would be in order... most of the fish stores just tell you what they want you to hear, and then that way you will keep comming back to their store for more fish. betas also like normal fish food... the tropical fish food is a good one. If you beta is mellow, you can try after he is adapted to his new surroundings for a while, another fish. But do NOT go and put him into the tank right away, let the water settle, and do not put the water you bought him in into your new tank... it more than likely has a type of medicine in to help them stay calm during shipping.... hope this helps... i have 35 tanks up and running in my house, and bread them for fish stores localy...
good luck...

3: u dont need a heater or a filter. while these thing should be provided for fish, in that small of a tank bettas should get a water change every week.

Answer 5

no betta actually if alone can live fine in a 1/2 gallon tank you need nothing really for them they are easy fish to take care for i actually answered a question not to long ago on beta and found out by answer this question you can not kidding pet this fish and they like it no joke i will find the info i got and give it to you but tell then keep your water at room temperature no you do not need a heater. no you don't need a filtration system. conditioner is great keeps the water clean. all you need to get is some food don't over feed them maybe some colorful rocks some plants fake or real i had some bamboo in mine and they liked it and really that is all like i said it is a easy fish to take care of and i am going to find my info to give you.

Here is the info

Answer 6

1/2 gallons is livable, but cramped. It's not possible to effectively heat such a small tank. Your betta would be healthy and happier in a larger tank that's heated. But if you need change the water about every 4 days, and be sure to keep the water temp stable during changes. You should keep your betta in the 70-85 range. (Ideally 80ish) Cold nights can be lethal. Food should be a betta flake, or pellet primarily containing worm/insect/fish. See bettatalk for more details.

Answer 7

For one, yes he is in a small environment, and yes a beta can grow. A heater wouldn't be required unless your in a climate where it gets pertty cold. Ave tem woudl be about 67-84 f. a filteration system would be great it does save on the clean up and betas can be pertty messy. You will need to get what is call ICK treatment... this will cure a type of yeast infection that the fish will get... it is white spots on the fish. Also... about a 5 gal tank providing you don't intend to get a bunch of fish would be in order... most of the fish stores just tell you what they want you to hear, and then that way you will keep comming back to their store for more fish. betas also like normal fish food... the tropical fish food is a good one. If you beta is mellow, you can try after he is adapted to his new surroundings for a while, another fish. But do NOT go and put him into the tank right away, let the water settle, and do not put the water you bought him in into your new tank... it more than likely has a type of medicine in to help them stay calm during shipping.... hope this helps... i have 35 tanks up and running in my house, and bread them for fish stores localy...
good luck...

Answer 8

I had a betta in a one-pint tank. It literally was only water and gravel. You really don't need anything much. Mine lived 2 1/2 yrs. until it committed suicide by jumping out of it's tank. So at least mine was very hardy. Not very smart, though. And he didn't have a thermometer, heater, or even water conditioner.

Answer 9

u dont need a heater or a filter. while these thing should be provided for fish, in that small of a tank bettas should get a water change every week.

Answer 10

I had a betta and kept him in a glass vase with some marbles on the bottom. I fed him betta food, pretzels, bagels, muffins, chips, cheesecake and pretty much any food that he saw me eating and swam over to the glass to look at. I kept him on my desk at my office. He lived for 4 years. No conditioner, no special tank or thermometer. Nothing. Just a vase, marbles, and a buffet. Good luck.