10 gallon or 5 for betta and owner with a budget

[Quin]

Hi there! Just this morning we finished discussing a thread about the health of my new betta Hank S. Sushi (black orchid male.) My friend's mom has a 10 gallon, which I think sounds awesome. I'm just wondering before I say I'll take it, is this the best for my betta? The heater and filters I have right now are fit for a 5 gallon, so I don't think they'll be able to transfer over. Money is an issue right now since my budget for buying a fish was supposed to be less than $50, but I spent $100 covering just the basics and I am also needing to get a test kit and materials to cycle my tank as soon as possible. Walmart has a $30 5 gallon tank with a filter, lights, hood, and basically things I will be needing for a new tank anyways. Is it more cost friendly to take the 10 gallon and purchase the essentials all over again in addition to test kits and cycling supplies, or should I cough up $30 and only have to buy a heater and the kit/cycle mats? Additionally and probably more importantly, which is best for my fish? Thank you!

 

[Byron]

If it is free, take it. A Betta will appreciate the space. The heater and filter should work fine in the 10g. The tank will need a cover, either a hood made for the tank or a cover glass. The light might work on the 10g (if you have one for the 5g).

Sometimes the equipment that commes with these "kits" is poor to say the least, so I am leery of these packages. The tank and light/cover is usually better. A Betta does not need much in the way of filtration, you could even do without if you have floating plants.

 

[JuiceBox52]

I agree. Bigger is always better

 

[Quin]

The only things I currently have are a 1-5 gallon heater, 5 gallon filter, 3 moss balls, one plant rooted in gravel, gravel, and an artificial log hide plus a hide that didn't fit in his tank. The walmart kit came at the recommendation of one of the admins from my last thread, but I will keep in mind the quality check. I'm not sure my filter will be adequate for a 10 gallon and my heater most certainly won't cut it since it's been less than stellar since its installation, but I do agree Hank may appreciate the space more. I am worried that this fish will clean me out, at which point I will have to ask for money from my mom. If she puts her foot down before I have properly purchased and supplied the 10 gallon's necessities then he will be stuck with insufficient care and a potentially empty tank. He won't survive in my house without a sturdy heater and I don't think I'm ready to run a tank without the assistance of a filter, but I may not be able to afford the 10 gallon versions for those. I do believe I can find $30 in cash or close to it from my secret stash, which will be worth it if it works. Money is definitely an issue in this scenario, but I won't settle for anything less than 5 gallons.

I think I answered my own question writing that last paragraph. While I do think that a 10 gallon would be a wonderful addition into Sushi's life, I have concerns about it. I am not sure I would be able to afford it if it came bare, nor do I think it would fit on my dresser if it's long. Asked Beth for pictures of the tank, but I think that if it does not come with a filter, heater, or lid it would be irresponsible of me to take it. I don't want to leave my fish hanging without the proper supplies he needs to live a happy life, and I think that a 10 gallon may have to be a long term goal if I decide I can't get it this time.

Edit: sorry I'm so longwinded lol, I can try to shorten my posts in the future

 

[JuiceBox52]

Do the ten gallon. The filter will be fine. All you will need to do is buy a $10ish dollar heater

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Ok, here we go...

If the tank is free, by all means take it. Even if it has a leak. Some of our other members can help you repair it, if it has a leak.

As far as heaters go, I suggest this one:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OQO69Q/?tag=ff0d01-20 (I suggest getting the 50W)

I have personally used it for years in numbers of tanks and it has never failed me. It’s under $10, which in your case, is great. Unfortunately, it is not adjustable, but that’s what you get for a $10 heater.

If you would like to purchase an adjustable heater, that is still around your price rang, I suggest this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VFLX5BR/?tag=ff0d01-20

I can tell you though, I’ve never personally used this one. I have just seen good reviews.

As far as plants go, you can get some good ones for pretty cheap. Anacharis is my all time favorite. I now have a densely planted 5g,10g, and 29g tank of Anacharis, that originated from just 3 individual plants. (They go for around $2 a stem at my LFS, which isn’t bad as they grow fast and you can replant the trimmings)

You an use the 5g filter in a 10g tank. I am personally using a 10g filter in my 29g tank and a 2.5g filter in my 10g. I don’t believe in spending all of this extra money for canister or HOB filters. Just use what you have.

Substrate? It seems you already have gravel, which is good. If you want some sand, get play sand. It is safe for aquarium use, once it is properly washed. Here is the stuff I use in all of my tanks: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Quikrete-50-lb-Play-Sand-111351/100318476

As you can see, it only cost around $3. That’s a killer deal for 50lb of sand IMO.

I’m not meaning to bombard you with this long thread, I’m just speaking from personal experience. I will upload pictures of my tanks tomorrow, so you can see the effectiveness of building a tank on a budget.

 

[FishGuest5123]

I have several of my bettas in the Walmart 5 gallon tanks. @Fishmanic has the same tank and so does @PheonixKingZ. I think you’ll be happy with it.

 

[Quin]

Thank you guys for your advice! I asked to check out the tank and when I arrived they were holding it at the door for me, so I am now the proud new owner of a 10 gallon! I will be working on assembling it some tonight and a lot tomorrow, because it's old and has no instruction manual and I have NO idea what this cylinder thing is for. Hearing that I can use the 5g filter for this tank is a relief though, because I'm not sure if this one will... well, work lol

I super duper appreciate the heater reccomendation! I will definitely be looking in to it, and as long as the range fits my betta's needs I'm okay that it's not adjustable.

Quick question: to heaters need to be on one side so there's a hot and cool side, like for reptiles? Additionally, I hear that artificial plants can cause problems. This tank came with one, should I just set it aside/see if I can grind any sharp edges?

 

[JuiceBox52]

Thank you guys for your advice! I asked to check out the tank and when I arrived they were holding it at the door for me, so I am now the proud new owner of a 10 gallon! I will be working on assembling it some tonight and a lot tomorrow, because it's old and has no instruction manual and I have NO idea what this cylinder thing is for. Hearing that I can use the 5g filter for this tank is a relief though, because I'm not sure if this one will... well, work lol

I super duper appreciate the heater reccomendation! I will definitely be looking in to it, and as long as the range fits my betta's needs I'm okay that it's not adjustable.

Quick question: to heaters need to be on one side so there's a hot and cool side, like for reptiles? Additionally, I hear that artificial plants can cause problems. This tank came with one, should I just set it aside/see if I can grind any sharp edges?

If you want you can file off any sharp edges. If you like the look you can keep it, if not just don't bother. Either put the heater to one side or in the center, dosen't really matter

 

[Retired Viking]

The cylinder Is it a clear plastic tube like a foot or so long and about an inch wide?

 

[Essjay]

Anything you are unsure about, post photos. Someone is bound to know what it is

 

[FishkeeperLinz]

Thank you guys for your advice! I asked to check out the tank and when I arrived they were holding it at the door for me, so I am now the proud new owner of a 10 gallon! I will be working on assembling it some tonight and a lot tomorrow, because it's old and has no instruction manual and I have NO idea what this cylinder thing is for. Hearing that I can use the 5g filter for this tank is a relief though, because I'm not sure if this one will... well, work lol

I super duper appreciate the heater reccomendation! I will definitely be looking in to it, and as long as the range fits my betta's needs I'm okay that it's not adjustable.

Quick question: to heaters need to be on one side so there's a hot and cool side, like for reptiles? Additionally, I hear that artificial plants can cause problems. This tank came with one, should I just set it aside/see if I can grind any sharp edges?

Woohoo! Free 10gal tank! Hank S Sushi will love it!

Congratulations.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I have several of my bettas in the Walmart 5 gallon tanks. @Fishmanic has the same tank and so does @PheonixKingZ. I think you’ll be happy with it.

Yes...I like it. The filter did stop working, which is disappointing. But the LED light hood is really good.

 

[Byron]

Quick question: to heaters need to be on one side so there's a hot and cool side, like for reptiles?

No. The heater should always be next to the filter return (the water coming back into the tank from the filter) because this helps distribute the heat. Heat in water is just like heat in air, it rises up and cooler water/air lowers down. You will always notice thermal stratification in most tanks, with the water above the substrate being cooler than the water near the surface. This is normal in all natural watercourse and fish have no issues. But having the heat initially distributed with the flow from the filter is better, as otherwise the heated water will simply rise to the surface around the heater. This can sometimes be the reason why heaters seem to not work; the temperature control depends upon the water surrounding the heater, so you want to dissipate that further out.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I agree with @Byron, this is what I do in all of my tanks.