Completely confused!!

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bettababy

Registered Member
Apr 20, 2006
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Hi all! I am definately a "newbie" to the fish fancier world and have just purchased a beautiful male betta. I have only had him for 3 days and have been on the net trying to research everything I can about these little guys....so far so good. One of my biggest concerns right now is the water temp - 71f. I do not have a heater in the tank as it is a typical "starter" 6.7L type so what I have been doing is heating up my neck wraps and putting them around the bottom of the tank. I have not been able to determine if I can put a small heater in the tank or not? Does anyone have any suggestions?? I want to give this beautiful little guy the best home possible (under confined area) and have 2 small plants and a small hamster tube (for hiding etc) in the tank with him. From what I have "learned" he is not eating because he is stressed - new home, cooler than optimal water etc. Thanks for any advise you may have. "We appreciate it!:)
 
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That's a pretty small tank. A 25w heater should work provided it'll fit (don't know your dimensions or what type of stuff is available to you).

You've got an uncycled tank which means ammonia and (eventually) nitrites can be a problem for you and your fish. Do you have any test kits?

Partial water changes can help dilute the level of toxins. You'll want a tap water conditioner like Prime or Amquel if you have chlorine or chloramines in your water…

Hope that helps
 
completely confused

Hey Carpguy, thanks for the info. There is a small filter in the tank but I don't know if it is wise as I have been reading that bettas do not like currents in the water. It does move the water somewhat though. As for the heater, I am going to try the 25w as you have suggested. Hopefully one day I will be knowledgable enough about fish to truly delve into the aquarium hobby.

Thanks again.
 
in Some ways, these small tanks are harder than bigger tanks, I've even head that the easiest tank size is 30 gallons... as for the heater you can buy a small heater to put inside the tank that works well for betta bowls, look in any Petstore in the aquarium h eater section, and make shure to do weekly water changes
 
Walmart even sells Mini-tank heaters designed for the smaller tanks/bowls. check theirr fish department and see what they have as well.
 
The long billowing fins aren't really optimal for swimming. Too strong of a current is no good. Some current is OK. Filtration is good.

The tank is quite small: ammonia levels can get high very quickly in a tank that size. Look into cycling and get an ammonia test kit.
 
I started out with a 70gallon tank... at first it was pretty stressful, but now im loving it...... i have a 5gallon betta tank... and it's harder to care for then my 70gallon!
 
The neck wrap thing isn't a good idea. Its better for the tank to stay at 71 degrees than to have it go up and down. Small heaters are available. If you just have a betta you don't need a filter (Not saying don't get one, but you don't need one). The tank will cycle with out it. (When I got my neighbors 2 gold fish, they were in a one gallon tank with no filter. It was cycled, but I am sure they didn't know anything about it.)
 
I have a male betta in a 5 gallon tank. The tank kit (came with filter) was only about $35 or so at Walmart. I purchased a small heater that was specifically for 2.5 gallon thru 5 gallon and I change the water once a week. He is a happy little guy. He builds bubble nests every day! I have a few silk plants and a couple of small rocks in with him and he is thriving. This tank is pretty easy to keep clean since its just him in there. If you can get a bigger tank I would definately recommend it!! Your betta will LOVE you for it :-)
 
my bettas (9) all are thriving in their gallon- under a gallon bolws in that temperature without a heater or a filter . . they eat blow bubbles and flare at me . . .so take all the other crap out all you need is good water, gravel and water changes . . if you want the details of how i clean the bowls just ask it takes only about 5 minutes . . . . happy bettaing
 
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