What's a proper tank setup for bettas?

Question

Hi! I just bought a betta. I first purchased a tank that had a filter, but it was too strong -- the poor fish could barely swim (plus it had no cover -- bettas jump!). So I took it back and bought a nice hexagonal tank with a cover, and he seems much happier. However, the tank has a pump. I know bettas don't need a pump but I would like the water to stay clean. I've read quite a bit of information online concerning bettas, and unfortunately a lot of it is conflicting. Here are my questions.
#1. Do I need some bacteria in the tank for the fish?
#2. Without a filter, how often do I change the water? (Or should I get a filter add on?)
#3. Is there a more suitable (and affordable, like under $40) tank that I should look at purchasing?
#4. After filling the tank, little bubbles developed over everything and the sides of the tank. Are these just air bubbles or something I should be concerned about?

Thanks so much guys, I really appreciate it. I want to give my betta a happy home!

Answer 1

Congratulations on your new friend. I've kept a few fish, but you will probably get better answers than mine.

1. You don't really "need" any bacteria in there for him to survive, but it shouldn't be to sterile either. He'll like it a little more natural with a few green spots for him to nibble at, but then again not to dirty either. It's a good idea to add water conditioner (which you can purchase in the fish stores) after you clean his tank. It will get rid of leftover chorine/chemicals from tap water and will give him a slimey healthy coat over his scales.

2/3. For such a small fish and that breed he won't need much room a small hex tank will be fine. I like the kind that filter from the bottom. Those kind will have 1 inch tube running up the back and attach into a bottom platform (goes under the rocks) that has holes in it. A bubbler stone (attached to a very small air pump) goes into the tube to the bottom of it. It serves two purposes. It puts oxygen into the water for him to breath and also creates suction that pulls particles through the rocks and through the bottom to stay there until you clean it. With this kind of tank you can get away with cleaning it and rinsing it reallllly well with a mild detergent like dawn about once a month.

4. The little bubble description is telling me you have simply filled the tank with tap water. Straight away, tap water is bad. Put the tap water into a large bucket for a few days (48 hours) uncovered in a place where no dust will fly into it. This will let the chemicals from the water evaporate out and it will be safer for your fish.

Also, make sure you have some leftover water in that bucket to transfer him to, while you are cleaning the tank.

GL!

Answer 2

A betta is just like every other fish, but it has the ability to breathe surface air.
1)So they benefit like any other fish from having a cycled tank.
2)I would recomend a filter ad-on, but if you don't want to, it's no biggy, just change the water once a week for sure.
3)There is some smaller tanks that will work, i would suggest a minumum of 5 gallons personally, they like to have alot of swimming room, even though they can survive in small water areas.
4)The little bubbles aren't anything to be concerned about, they are just air bubbles, you don't see these in a larger tank because the filter usually breaks it up. The betta will even blow up some of these bubbles with his mouth when he goes up to get some air, when you see him blowing these bubbles, it can also be a sign that your betta fish is happy.

Good luck with your betta!

Answer 3

The beneficial bacteria will come naturally if you cycle your tank properly. You will need a filter to do that. If you don't have a filter you need to do weekly 25-50% water changes. The little bubbles are normal they will go away. You need either an air pump or live plants for the fish to get oxygen otherwise they have to suck air from the surface and that causes stress and shortens their life. I reccomend getting a filter and allowing the tank to run with no fish for at least a week to give your fish the best chance of survival. Add a pinch of fish food daily while you are cycling, that will help the process go faster.

Answer 4

Yes a betta can survive in a small cup, but why would you want it in a small cup? Get a 10 gallon tank at walmart its only 10$. You should also get a heater and set it to the appropiate temperature(i'd say around 75). Beneficial bacteria will come as your water cycles so you should get a filter.

I dont know of bubbles in my tank when i pour water in. If the bubbles stay there for a long time it probly means your tank was dirty. Scrub it down with a scrub and spray it with a hose before filling.

Trust me. If your tank is set up nice(via decoration...clean water...natural look) you and your beta will feel good.

Answer 5

A betta will be perfectly happy in a large bowl. You can purchase a plastic 2.5 gallon bowl at petsmart for 10$. Or a 2.5 gallon glass bowl for 16$ at other stores. Their really pretty nice. When you buy gravel get marbles or polished stones. You can buy these at walmart for like 2-5 dollars.

Then you'll want a small plastic plant. 2$

water conditioner 3$

The bubbles are fine. Its just from the water beind stirred up real fast.

A betta in a bowl can be very cheap. They have nice containers at betmart that come with a hood, light, and undergravel filter at petsmart. Only 12 dollars.

In a small container it should be cleaned about once a week. He'll be perfectly happy. So im sure you could get a nice set up and supplies for 30$ easy.

Good luck! : ) I love bettas

Answer 6

im with you on not liking platys mollies swordtail, i hate livebeares regardless but here are some setups i personally like 6 neon tetras 2 otocinclus 5 cory cats 2 male dwarf/honey gouramis 8 glowlight tetras 6 zebra danios 3 cory cats 4 zebra danios 3 cory cats 1 male dwarf/honey gourami 8 bloodfin tetras or you could do an amphibian setup with 1 fire belly toad 2 red clawed crabs good luck with your tank

Answer 7

We found a really cool looking five gallon "Bubble tank" at a store called Memory Lane. Its been perfect for my daughters Beta!

Answer 8

1. Yes ask the store if you can have some of their filter media to transfer to your tank.

2. you can buy a little filter media/addon to hook to your pump

3. Look for ECLIPSE systems they are very nice

4.normal

the harmful stuff wont go anywhere with just aeration

Answer 9

HONESTLY..ALL THE INFORMATION EVERY BODY HAS IS CORRECT..BUT Bettas don't require a really large space..and if you want kids ..buy it a mate.