View Full Version : Got a beta now what?
theofilos
05-14-2003, 5:58 AM
Well I got a 60 l aquarium. I am new to the hobby (as seen in previous thread of me). It has 4 live plants for now and a log with grass on it all from tropica. PH is about 7.3. After some days of letting the tank running (used some bactozym in hope of creating bacteria). I decided I love betta's and I thought the following: Since they have them in small boxes my not fully cycled tank would be paradise to the fish. Was my thought wrong? Well I chose a truly maginificent male very lively. And it is so fun in the aquarium using plants to hide and swimming around. I will be feeding it tetramin flakes. The plans are to let the tank as is for another 3-4 days. Then I will test water and see all results. If they are ok and the betta is fine I believe it is time to add 3 small fish. The point is what to add with the betta? My thoughts so far are 3 cory's 3 oto's and a small species which swims mid to top. e.g. guppies or some tetras or some danios. What is your opinion? I like most guppies but I want your experience what would go well with the betta. Also what quantities of that fish? I will add 3 of them in 1st week and after another week the rest of them. Oh I will have photos tomorrow cause I want some advice :)
I would definatly go with a nice school of cories. The more you can safely put in the better. Bettas will probably flair at them a bit but then calm down and leave them alone. Since your tank isn't fully cycled yet I would add more fish very slowly so that ammonia levels don't spike. Also you should buy a test kit for ammonia and nitrites and keep testing a lot during the early stage. If the ammonia or nitrite spikes then do water changes to get the levels back down to safe levels.
I have had great luck also adding white cloud minnows to my tank with a betta. They are great peaceful fish if you can get them.
I don't know how bettas feel about guppies with their big colourful tails.
ChilDawg
05-14-2003, 8:02 AM
Guppies are targets for bettas because of the flowing fins.
I would not recommend adding Otos until the cycle is complete.
The Cories would be fine to add, but do so slowly, and not all at once.
ChilDawg
05-14-2003, 8:27 AM
By the by, the name is Betta...as in Betta is a Betta name than a Greek letter.
ChilDawg
05-14-2003, 8:31 AM
And I realized that the poster IS Greek. I apologize...this is not meant to be an insult to your people or alphabet!!! :)
theofilos
05-14-2003, 9:23 AM
Yes it is betta. :) Well this is the aquarium.
I would show it to you but the limit for pics is 25.400 bytes. So no pics :( Anyway I will add a 2nd driftwood tonight. I was also thinking of some rocks. What do you think? Well the beta will stay alone for quite a while. Oto's will be added last as I heard they are quite sensitive on water condition's. Well I was thinking in about a week after I make water tests and change 20% of the water to add 3 mid to top dwellers. As I said something like guppies or tetras or danios or rasboras. I found all of these on 3 LFS. ( and some huge cichlids a black tip shark and some clown knifes but these are not for my aquarium :( ).As I was saying next week after I change water and do tests can I add 3 of these? And what 3? Of course these fish need to be in bigger numbers at least 3 for example but they will be added a week after the first 3. What do you think? Also what of these 4 fish type do you suggest?
Another question is what type of cory to prefer bronze or albino?
guppies and betta's dont mix. i do like to see betas ina bigger tank. mine is in a 55 gallon community tank. he loves it! he plays in the bubbles and swims around all day. anyways i have some corys in there, som zebra danios, and some neon tetras, also platys and mollys are fun to have.
oh yeah. if your tank has been cycling for only a few days, keep the water changes going, about every day or so, maybe like 5 %
theofilos
05-14-2003, 11:06 AM
Tested the water PH 7.3 GH 13 KH 5. Ammonia is close to zero or zero as nitrite too. So far all seems good. I will add the drift wood and a stone or two. Which tall plant should I avoid adding below the pump's water exit? The microsorum pteropus the cryptocoryne crispatula or the hygrophila polysperma? Also which of these would be best for a corner?