MINIMUM SIZE FOR PERMANENT BETTA

[BettaMomma]

Tokis - I'd have to disagree with you on the statement you made about most folks being able to afford something bigger than a 1 gallon tank. I have read countless posts where folks say they can't afford to get a very big tank for their betta - so they have it in a very small container - and things like (VERY CLEAN) coffee pots have been one container of choice lately. Especially people who are college students, or kids - we have a lot of kids on this forum ranging in age from 12 on up. Even other people who just have a certain budget to work with for their fish, and have to stick to it.

My take on the whole situation has been posted before, but I'll say it again. Think of the path a betta has taken to get to the little cup it sits in on the shelf before you take it home. I, personally, have never taken a betta home in anything more than about 3 cups of water. For that reason, I feel that 1 gallon tanks are perfectly good homes for bettas. It's a whole lot better than 3 cups of water, or if you're talking about PetSmart, 1 cup of water they are kept in on the shelves at the stores. I kept 2 of my boys each in a 1 gallon container for months. They were both perfectly happy in there. They had never known anything other than that. I did recently upgrade the last one (my crowntail, figure that one!!) from a 1G to a 2.5G minibow. They do seem to enjoy the swimming space, and he seems to glide across the water now without a care in the world. BUT.. he never showed any signs of NOT liking where he lived before. He just never knew what great things were out there for him to be moved up to. It's not like he sits and watches Betta commercials every day and looooongs for a 2.5G tank, or a 5G tank that he saw on tv, cuz that's what all the bettas are getting these days, but not, because he doesn't know any different.

I made this statement once before - If I had 1000 gallons of water to work with, I'd MUCH rather see (1000) 1 gallon tanks than (100) 10 gallon tanks set up for bettas. ANY day. Besides... if room for tanks is an issue, you'll be able to house a lot more fish (if that's your goal) in 1 gallon tanks than bigger ones (obviously). heh

OH... and here is my collection of tanks:
10 gallon glass aquarium - 6 betta girls
10 gallon glass - 2 betta boys (split)
2.5G acrylic minibow - 2 betta boys (split)
(2) 2.5G acrylic minibows - 1 betta boy in each
(4) 2.5G rectangle glass tanks - 1 betta boy in each

And I also have an acrylic 1.7G hex tank and a 1/2 gallon glass fish bowl for hospital use.
for h

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

So even you go for tanks bigger than a gallon? My aim is not to have the most fish but for the fish to be happiest in its enviroment, one other thing about 1gallon tanks is to find a heater smaller enough for them is very hard indeed- i know some people on here think that large fluctuations in temperature keeps the betta strong, but the reality for most fish is it makes them sick- i couldn't imagine putting a tropical fish in a tank with no heater or filter, tropical fish are tropical fish for a good reason and not just a title.
At least with a heater they help prevent large fluctuations in temperature which help keep the fish happy and healthy and not stressed, fluctuations in temp can also cause constipation apparently and if you live in England like i do its not always the warmest place at times nor does it have very stable seasons, hot one day and pouring with rain and windy the next etc.

 

[BettaMomma]

Yup, I go for tanks bigger than a gallon. If there is a possibility for that, I always prefer that over smaller ones. But, in some cases I think 1 gallon tanks are perfectly fine. I go for fish first, then I make them as happy as possible. I am really lucky in that I have a really good job and my bills are such that I can afford to buy the tanks I really want for my fish - and whatever else they might need after that. I completely agree with you on the whole heater issue, too - and the only reason why I was comfortable with having 1 gallon unheated tanks here at work is because I work in a corporate office where we have a climate controlled environment. Our temp in the office remained at a steady 75 - 76 so their water was the same at all times. They also got 100% water changes with gravel, decor and tank scrubs every 3 days so they were in impeccable conditions. I think that's how Lucky was able to grow his tail back so nicely.

My aim is to have the largest number of happy fish - while still being in control of their care. I guess I feel that if a person owns fish - regardless of what size their tank is, it's the care they get that really matters. I'm up to 16 right now. 7 of those tanks get weekly 100% water changes, and I even gave my female betta tank a 100% wc last night because the snail was making such a mess of it. I dedicate enough time every week - well, every night actually - because I want to make sure that I don't get burned out, and that no one has to suffer because I get sick of taking care of my fish. I actually look forward to fish care time because you know they really, really appreciate it and love you for it. Odd as that may seem, after all - *they are only fish* right? (not)

 

[MegTheFish]

The only thing I can afford is a used divided tank for my bettas (which I am currently setting up)-I got it for HALF the price of a 2.5 gallon minibow. You won't believe this, but including tax, a 2.5 minibow, where I live is a WHOOPING $70-$80! And I can't find those glass rectangular tanks, either. Also, a 2 gallon Kritter Keeper is closer to $20. And it doesn't even include anything. It gets me so peed off sometimes. You guys are talking about getting minibows for $29.99! If they were that cheap here, I would already have all my boys in them.

 

[BettaMomma]

Occasionally they have them for 22$, including a betta divider around here. That's why I have several of them.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

If you look around a bit on ebay you can find some good deals on second hand tanks- second hand tanks are almost always so much cheaper than brand new ones

 

[eudielynn]

If you look around a bit on ebay you can find some good deals on second hand tanks- second hand tanks are almost always so much cheaper than brand new ones

Sure they are. You still have to have an e-bay account to get one. Some of us are not fortunate enough to have a PC at home where we can take advantage of ordering or buying online. Even if we did, we might have to consider the needs of our families before the needs of our fish. It's really easy to tell other people what you think they should buy or have for their pets, but when you have to deal with the same financial situations they do you might see things a bit differently. I love all my pets and I take care of them to the best of my ability. I can't afford to spoil them all the way I'd like to, but they have a very good and comfortable home with me, - - much more than they would have had in the situations I found them in. So if all I can have is a 1 gal tank for my bettas, I will have a 1 gal and I and my bettas will be happy because of it.

 

[splashluff]

Right now, I have two 1 gallon Aquaviews and one 2.5 gallon MiniBow. I would love to have three MiniBow's, at least 2.5 gallons, but I'm just starting with Bettas and I am only 16... hence my preference of really cute 1 gallons for $10 over 2.5 gallons for $35. I will definitely upgrade them as soon as I possible can, though! I do think 1 gallons are perfect for a single Betta.. Ive seen Bettas in Aquaviews, and they have a lot of room to swim and hide and be happy.

I'll also be working at a large feed store specializing in tropical fish and aquariums this summer... yay for employee discounts!!

 

[BettaMomma]

If you look around a bit on ebay you can find some good deals on second hand tanks- second hand tanks are almost always so much cheaper than brand new ones

Sure they are. You still have to have an e-bay account to get one. Some of us are not fortunate enough to have a PC at home where we can take advantage of ordering or buying online. Even if we did, we might have to consider the needs of our families before the needs of our fish. It's really easy to tell other people what you think they should buy or have for their pets, but when you have to deal with the same financial situations they do you might see things a bit differently. I love all my pets and I take care of them to the best of my ability. I can't afford to spoil them all the way I'd like to, but they have a very good and comfortable home with me, - - much more than they would have had in the situations I found them in. So if all I can have is a 1 gal tank for my bettas, I will have a 1 gal and I and my bettas will be happy because of it.

VERY well said. I'm so glad you're getting Lucky's old tank!
Hey, make sure you clean it with some hot water and salt when you get it, just to be safe. He was never sick, but you know - just in case.


On the note of ebay - keep in mind that you have to pay shipping for tanks, and sometimes that's more expensive than if you just went to the store and got them yourself.

 

[Shark_Lover]

I think 1 gallon

 

[Allix]

5 gallon, i recently bought one for my fry and couldnt imagine buying anything smaller

 

[eudielynn]

Hey, make sure you clean it with some hot water and salt when you get it, just to be safe. He was never sick, but you know - just in case.

Will do. I've decided I'm going to bring Vince into work when he is well, as company for Hunter -- sort of. They will have matching tanks.

 

[MegTheFish]

I would love to get second hand tanks off Ebay, but I don't have my own credit card (I'm only 14) so I would have to use my parents, and they already said a big NOOO to that. They are worried that anybody will be able to see their credit card number and use it I know they should be protective of a credit card, but seriosly, I think they are too protective because they won't use it for ANYTHING on the internet (except for banking)! But whatever, its not mine.

 

[OrkyBetta]

All of my bettas are in one gallons, but I really hope to upgrade them someday. But if I do get enough money to upgrade, i bet it will probably go towrds more needy bettas, instead of more lavish homes for the ones I have. Just the way I am, I'd rather keep a lot of "economy class" bettas in modest tanks with the bare necessities, all of their needs covered, good food, clean water, the like, instead of keeping a few bettas in huge tanks, while leaving the rest to rot at the pet store. Just my opinion.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

It's really easy to tell other people what you think they should buy or have for their pets, but when you have to deal with the same financial situations they do you might see things a bit differently.

Hey im not telling anyone to do anything and yes i have been scint in the past before so don't start having a go at me for not understanding. The thread is about what you think should be a good permanent tank home size for a betta and im just giving my opinion and just because it doesn't go with the crowds veiws i don't see why everyone has to turn around and say i don't understand the situation at all.