Cost Of Keeping Bettas?

[Gnatfish]

Hello I'm new to this forums but i already have a 72L tank.

I really like the look of bettas and I am looking to get a small tank for one. I was just wondering how much it cost to buy say a 2-3g tank, small heater and lights?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Durbkat]

Well it all depends on the pet store. Just call them and ask. Also if your house is farily warm and your comfertable then the betta will be to and you wouldn't need a heater also you don't need a filter because bettas don't like currents in there tanks so you don't need to get that either. Just ask how much a 2-3 gallon tank would cost and if they have it in your area you should get the minibow 2.5 gallon tank. I have one and my betta likes it alot.

 

[NinjaSmurf]

Well, it all depends on how you shop. Personally, I could get a two or five gallon tank with light, gravel and fake plants for under eight bucks at a used place run by the local Humane Society, not counting a few dollars for food and the betta itself. Brand new varies greatly, but you can choose exactly what you want instead of taking what you can find that you like, which doesn't always work out...

 

[Synirr]

A 2.5 gallon Minibow with light and filter costs about $25 at my local Walmart if I remember correctly, but it's possible to find something cheaper

 

[Gnatfish]

Ok thanks everyone.

 

[KeddyPie]

Initial cost of keepng a betta? Anywhere from 5 to 45 dollars depending on your taste I prefer the plain rectangualr glass 2.5 aquariums, which normally run about 8 dollars here, another dollar for a glass lid, and I harvest plants form my big tank (but I'd average 2-10 dollars if you're buying new plants) and an additional 4 dollars for a small bag of gravel or sand, and 3-4 dollars for a nice pack of frozen bloodworms I'd estimate about 20 dollars, excluding the cost of fish. I'm of course assuming you already have water conditioners and such.

If you decide on getting a betta, good luck There seem to be quite a few spawns going on the board right now, so if you look around a bit you can probably get a really nice, breeder-quality betta with only having to pay shipping.

 

[soritan]

Ye gods, how I envy you all.

A 2.5G here, starts at 21USD, with no hood. A 5.5 here, starts at 29USD, with no nood. A 2.5 Minibow starts at 55USD, here. And VTs start at $6 (prices went down with the new year. )

I shop mostly at the used store, the Salvation Army, and the like. If I get the right part time helper, I can get a really good deal. I bought a used, 5.3 gallon tank from the 1970s, today, for only $10! I'm inordinately proud of that, even if no one else on here finds it as fascinating as I do.


If all else fails, there's always the internet. Really. You cannot possibly be worse off than I am, unless you live in one of the Poles. If you order bulk from any online site, you'll save money in the longrun. A large tank online, plus many online silks and foods and testkits, plus shipping, is usually equal to less than the same things, local.

I bought most of my 1-2 gallon bowls for $2 each. I kept my first male VT there, very well, for just shy a year. He's a geezer, now, and he's living the life in an All-Glass 5.5 gallon tank, but before then, he made due with whatever I found for under $5 at the local, second hand store. He's pampered now, now that I'm 'rich' (a fifty cent raise, is a fifty cent raise).

 

[demonmagus]

don't forget he's in England

*cough rip off britain *cough

 

[Gnatfish]

Thanks everyone

Does anyone know of any good aquatic sites that are British?

 

[Caro]

this might sound silly, coming from a newbie, but have you thought about looking small betta specific tanks on ebay? They usually have great deals on them there

I love bettas My red betta lives in a 2 gallon plastic bowl with a heater and he's a very happy camper B)

 

[winddancer70]

I've found this site not sure it will help......https/secure.foxinet.net/ccw/orderform.html. I've also found Walmart and ebay to be the best for prices. I also look at thrift stores and sometimes find good buys at flea markets....

 

[Gnatfish]

Cool thanks everyone

 

[liz2]

I dont know whether I dare admit this but most of my tanks come from the local tip ...I always throw gravel away and I only ever made the mistake of using a second hand filter once..but you can pick them up for a couple of quid! Also car boot sales are good particularly if people are throwing in nets food treatments etc.