Betta

[Mongrel]

I have an old 10 gallon tank. I was thinking of making into a Betta thank. I looked into this and found that the info I found was not very clear. What necessary equipmentbe that I would need. Could I also put some sort of algae eater in there or would it not be needed.


Mongrel's Place (http://home.attbi.com/~mongrel74)

[OrionGirl]

Do you want just the betta? Or are you looking to breed? Very different setups.

If you want a tank for a male betta, you can set it up with plants and such, and add a small school of fish and some bottom feeders, no problem. Heater, filter, ect, all the normal things. Despite all the myth, male bettas are good community fish fo rthe most part. I wouldn't mix them with paradise fish or guppies, or any fin nipping species. Neons, silvertip tetras, cories, ect would all be fine tank mates.

If you're looking to breed, bare botton tank is best, sponge filter, minimal surface movement, maybe some floating plants. Be ready to separate the male and female--he will kill her otherwise.

[Mongrel]

Could I place the 12 Bloodfin Tetras from my 55 gallon in with it or is that over crowding


Mongrel's Place (http://home.attbi.com/~mongrel74)

[roper930]

I think I would do just 6 or so and keep the rest in the 55.

For the filter, I would suggest getting one w/an adjustable flow rate. Many bettas hate current and will just hide in the far corner, other don't mind at all. I have a betta in my 55 gallon w/tons of water flow and he loves swimmin' all around. When he gets tired, he just goes and rests in the plants in the corner.

A red betta would look nice w/a school of blood fin tetras!

Beth

[Mongrel]

Thanks, I will look into that

Mongrel's Place (http://home.attbi.com/~mongrel74)

[goldfries]

10gal is rather big for a betta, i mean you can but i find it's rather waste of space.

even a 1 gal tank is luxury for a betta. 10gal you might try betta + other fish.

[roper930]

Mongrel, that's a beautiful tank you have! What other fish are u planning on adding?
I wish I could plant my 55 more, but I got to have all the floor space possible for my stingray... :rolleyes:
Oh well!

Beth

[bettaman]

I wouldn't say a gallon of water space is a luxury for a betta even though they can dwell in small area's of water. I say you should try to keep your betta in 1-2.5 gallons minimum. I recently moved my betta from his 2.5 into a ten gallon with three panda cories. He seems to like it. Sometimes he'll go to the bottom with the cories and just stare at them, he doesn't flare though. My flow rate on the filter is low but I noticed the betta stays on the left side of the tank with less water movement..

[goldfries]

agree. but 1 gallon is a luxury, even i gave mine 2.x gallon as well and he's enjoying it. took him out cos the ram bullied it so i'm setting up a new 2.x gal for him, hehe.

i mean if you think about it, majority of bettas live in little jars.

i really have to agree with a betta guide site that says 1.x gal++ is a luxury.