Bravofleet4
12-27-2006, 7:00 PM
Me -> Complete Noob (got a betta 2 days ago and been researching ever since)
Currently I am keeping my betta in a clear plastic jar that holds about 1.2-1.5 liters with about 1/2 inch of gravel, a plastic plant (which an employee told me doesn't cut up her betta's fins), and two ghost shrimp. One question I have is how should I clean the gravel? I've read everywhere there are beneficial bacteria to convert fish waste to harmless nitrates in gravel but do these really apply to fish bowls so much as tanks where there is so much less water? If it doesn't, then I guess I will take everything out and rinse the gravel with warm water during cleaning. Otherwise, I will try to find a small grave vacuum. Another question is when can I tell the sex of my betta? Currently it has short fins, so I'm thinking it's female. However, it may just not have developed them yet. Otherwise, though, it seems full-bodied (2 inches) and has a nice pink-ish color.
I realize that many of you would say that my jar is way too small for a single betta. I am also thinking about getting a 2.5 gallon tank with a filter and heater for my betta and taking it back with me to college after winterbreak ends BUT I hesitate because it seems rather excessive to me (as a college student). The only way I think it could make it worth my while is if I could include some more life in the tank other than more ghost shrimp or snails. I've heard of the one inch one gallon rule but I've also heard that this is not really entirelly accurate. Is there some other fish I can stock in it? I might go for a 5 gallon too but I would really like to make it work with a 2.5 gallon to save space on my desk.
Currently I am keeping my betta in a clear plastic jar that holds about 1.2-1.5 liters with about 1/2 inch of gravel, a plastic plant (which an employee told me doesn't cut up her betta's fins), and two ghost shrimp. One question I have is how should I clean the gravel? I've read everywhere there are beneficial bacteria to convert fish waste to harmless nitrates in gravel but do these really apply to fish bowls so much as tanks where there is so much less water? If it doesn't, then I guess I will take everything out and rinse the gravel with warm water during cleaning. Otherwise, I will try to find a small grave vacuum. Another question is when can I tell the sex of my betta? Currently it has short fins, so I'm thinking it's female. However, it may just not have developed them yet. Otherwise, though, it seems full-bodied (2 inches) and has a nice pink-ish color.
I realize that many of you would say that my jar is way too small for a single betta. I am also thinking about getting a 2.5 gallon tank with a filter and heater for my betta and taking it back with me to college after winterbreak ends BUT I hesitate because it seems rather excessive to me (as a college student). The only way I think it could make it worth my while is if I could include some more life in the tank other than more ghost shrimp or snails. I've heard of the one inch one gallon rule but I've also heard that this is not really entirelly accurate. Is there some other fish I can stock in it? I might go for a 5 gallon too but I would really like to make it work with a 2.5 gallon to save space on my desk.