Betta Cube

[ric1984]

I am looking at getting a Betta Cube for display. For those who don't know what this is its a small tank to keep a betta in. Its got a small filter but no heater. I seen one set up and they look cool but is it not a little cruel? On its own in a tank??

 

[crazychris]

It's unsuitable as they're tropical fish and beed a heater.

 

[ric1984]

Thanks for reply. Why do they sell them without heater?? I thought Bettas could live in both heated and un heated water??

 

[Ludwig Venter]

Not so much cruel for being on its own Ric, but some of these so-called cubes are just too small to house even a single Siamese in... I'd suggest you reconsider and get yourself something in the line of (at least) a 5 gal with proper filtration and a small heater to maintain your temp above 24 deg C. (& below 27)

 

[BethK]

Bettas do not necessarily need a heater, as long as the temp of the tank water stays level. I wouldn't suggest the water being any lower that 18c but a heater is a better idea, as your betta will flourish and have a better quality of life. 24c is an ideal water temp but you may find they are happier at 26c.

Cubes are not a good idea, being too small, they came about around the same time that some idiot thought of keeping a betta in a vase

I would say that a 17ltr would be the smallest tank to put a betta in, ensuring there are plants and places for them to search and hide.

Also remember that bettas need to breath air from the water surface, this surface should also have movement too it

 

[ian]

i saw one of these betta cubes in my LFS the other day, it was £59!!! It was a nice looking little thing, however for £59 you can get a much nicer looking tank from P@H. I'm not gonna get into the argument of the Cubes are to small, cos i have only ever owned 1 betta and now it living in a 15 ltr biorb quite happy.

 

[BethK]

£59.00! Jeez, you could buy a 30ltr for that price

I always liked those Biorbs, they look really nice x

 

[ian]

I personally think biorbs are great for bettas, they are still expensive though for what they are and there are so much better tanks and filters out there.

 

[Quisty]

The things that make me upset are those betta bowls that have the clear separator so you can put two bettas in and watch them try to get at each other..... there is barely enough room in them for the betta to swim around and no filter. The things people will buy just for show.....

 

[silverrabbit]

Sorry, but even a steady 18C temp is not acceptable... these are tropical fish and do better at temps on the higher end - my bettas are all kept at 27C, some of the fancier boys are at 28C as they do better in the warmer water.

18C is NOT acceptable for a tropical fish, it will lower their immune system and they may fall ill

 

[ian]

The things that make me upset are those betta bowls that have the clear separator so you can put two bettas in and watch them try to get at each other..... there is barely enough room in them for the betta to swim around and no filter. The things people will buy just for show.....

this is the one i saw, built in filter.
http/www.warehouse-aquatics.co.uk/index.php?p=product&products_id=5408&cid=1

 

[OohFeeshy]

Actually, on that, the 'Betta' is the brand, not nessecarily a stocking suggestion.

 

[ian]

i noticed that, but it's a betta box ain't it. They company (website) has just written jargon that goes along with it.

 

[BethK]

Sorry, but even a steady 18C temp is not acceptable... these are tropical fish and do better at temps on the higher end - my bettas are all kept at 27C, some of the fancier boys are at 28C as they do better in the warmer water.

18C is NOT acceptable for a tropical fish, it will lower their immune system and they may fall ill

You do realize that in hotter countries, they are not jept with a heater and their natural water temp is 18 - 20c

The higher the temp, the better equip the betta is, they can survive in 18c but they won't be the colorful and lively fish they are, like they would be in a higher temp tank. Unfortunately those with no heater, have the cooler waters, such as 18

 

[OohFeeshy]

i noticed that, but it's a betta box ain't it. They company (website) has just written jargon that goes along with it.

I'd assume it's more a 'knock off' version of the IQ3, except without actually being much, if any, cheaper, but more available. There's a book to go with it about planted nano tanks; that's the market it's aimed at, not bettas, which wouldn't be a good marketing technique really because bettas aren't really thought of like that in the UK.