View Full Version : betta in tank by itself
i have a 15g with a betta, some cories, and some neons. needless to say that the betta is slightly aggressive. i want to move him to a seperate tank but i didnt know if they needed filtration or if i could just do water changes. how big does the tank have to be? and then any ideas on what other fish i can keep with 5 bronze cories and 5 neons?
J double R
12-21-2007, 9:43 AM
i personally wouldnt keep a betta in anything less than a 5g.
ALL fish need filtration, bettas are no exception.
theotheragentm
12-21-2007, 9:59 AM
I will disagree with a disclaimer. If you can put a Betta in a 2 gallon container with some sort of plant life that will help polish the water, I've measured bioload on the water and weekly water changes seem to keep levels appropriate.
That being said, I do not know exactly what levels of bioload were towards the bottom of the tank where the waste settled. Without circulation, there may have been build up on the bottom. Larger tanks and filters are preferred. Bettas don't do well with a lot of circulation on top of that, so small filters are best.
Hollygirl
12-21-2007, 11:35 AM
Eclipse makes a great little 3 gallon that comes with a bio wheel and a charcoal filter in the hood, as well as a light. The 6 gallon would be great for a Betta too. They are compact units and reasonably priced.
ara35
12-21-2007, 11:40 AM
do i need a heater?
theotheragentm
12-21-2007, 11:53 AM
You should have a heater. I would say there are exceptions, but heater is preferable. They're not too expensive and are easy to obtain.
I have a friend and her room is always hot. I have no idea why this is, even when the rest of the house is freezing. I've never felt the temperature drop once in the three years I've been over there regularly.
ara35
12-21-2007, 11:55 AM
what is a good plant for a betta 1.5 gallon tank?
theotheragentm
12-21-2007, 12:25 PM
What shape is the tank? Dimensions?
theotheragentm
12-21-2007, 12:26 PM
I probably should have just thrown out some suggestions. Java Moss and Elodea are good options.
http://www.thehiddenreef.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=046798291374!THR01
this is the one i was planning on getting
southpaw
12-21-2007, 2:20 PM
They have 10 gallon kits at Walmart for $25 ....why not spend the same money and get a 10g over the 1.5g ;)
the main reason is because i dont have room and i already have a 15 gallon in a apartment/dorm and the only real reason i am getting another tank is because i dont want to get rid of my betta or the other fish.
yourchoice
12-21-2007, 9:09 PM
Too small.5g much better.
J double R
12-21-2007, 10:27 PM
go bigger than 1.5. PLEASE.
montysmum
12-22-2007, 3:36 PM
i have a 15g with a betta, some cories, and some neons. needless to say that the betta is slightly aggressive. i want to move him to a seperate tank but i didnt know if they needed filtration or if i could just do water changes. how big does the tank have to be? and then any ideas on what other fish i can keep with 5 bronze cories and 5 neons?
Hiya, I think that the recommended minimum tank size for a single betta is 15litres (which is about 32 US pints). While doing regular water changes is one way of trying to keep water quality on track, the best way is to have a cycled filter and just do water changes once a week.
Contrary to popular belief these fish do far better in a well filtered and heated aquarium - the way they are treated in some shops, where they are sold in vases, or water jugs is really unforgiveable imo.
As for your bronze cories and neons, 15g (US) is about 56litres. I dont know if you work on the 1" per gallon rule, but if you do then your Bronze Corys grow to about 2.5" each (12.5"), Neons grow to about 1.5" (7.5"), which means that for the size of your tank you are slightly overstocked, (sorry!) I am assuming that this equation is valid for US gallons as well as UK, but if I am wrong I hope someone will correct me.
OldMan1947
12-22-2007, 6:36 PM
Nothing wrong with your advice mum. 5 cories and 5 neons does not sound overstocked to me but it is pushing it. The US gallon is only about 80% of an imperial gallon so the tank would be considered about a 12 gallon there.
The rule is very widely not considered to be valid here, but for a total newbie it might keep them from too much overstocking with small fish so it serves a purpose. M<ost of us do get a feel for what are successful stocking levels after a while and as long as you are talking about 1 or 2 inch livebearers or similar small fish in a small tank it won't steer you too far off track.