New Tank

[lilacamy931]

Hello
I am new to the forum and this is my first post. I am currently setting up two tanks for puffer fish and am very new to the world of fish. My partners birhtday is in August and he has always loved Siamese Fighting fish. I wish to surprise him with a small tank set up and one of these fish.

Reading around the net and forums I have not found conclusive evidence on general set up - please help?

Would be looking at about a 2-3 gallon plastic/glass tank. Small layer of gravel at the bottom, couple of plants and perhaps a small cave.

With regards to filters and heaters - yes or no?

Heater - I live in England so relatively miserable not hot weather, goldfish have survived happily in the past.

Filter - recommended? Wish to know if absolutely essential or it helps to clean the water and lower water changes (do realise 2 changes a week). Would a air stone be beneficial to the tank?

Food - would probably go with the recommended foods and blood worms as treat.

Many thanks for any help!

 

[kizno1]

hello welcome to the forum
3g is the minmum but 5 g is a lt better
yes you need fillter and heater
if you get a fell taller plants for it to hid in and make bubblenests in(live or artafical)
i feed mine tetra pelets and dont give it blood worm more than once a week
hope it helps

 

[lilacamy931]

hello welcome to the forum
3g is the minmum but 5 g is a lt better
yes you need fillter and heater
if you get a fell taller plants for it to hid in and make bubblenests in(live or artafical)
i feed mine tetra pelets and dont give it blood worm more than once a week
hope it helps

Thanks very much!

 

[ct_hulhu]

I don't think you need an airstone, as they go up to the surface to breathe. In general they do not care for the turbulence that an air stone would create. I agree a 5 gallon would be better if there will be room for it!

 

[Curiosity101]

Also if you do get fake plants then please opt for silk ones. Long male betta fins can easily get snagged on plastic plants!

 

[lilacamy931]

Silk plants is good to know as did not realise the fins were that delicate, i will most likely opt for a 5g, silk plants, 25 w heater and filter with some sort of substrate. Thanks everyone for the quick replies!

 

[kizno1]

sounds good you could add a few shrimps if you want

 

[Curiosity101]

Sounds like you're going to have a very happy betta
Just another note, dont forget to fishless cycle your tank before you go and buy the fish.
Link to fishless cycling topic

Edit: Or an apple snail!

 

[lilacamy931]

I will leave added lifeforms to him when he gets the pressie! Dont worry on the cycling, as have another tank just about cycled now (freshwater) should be able to easily cycle a smaller one from this

Hardest part i think is keeping it a secret as long as possible (may have to banish from going into a room for a month - he doesnt go in the one i am thinking of anyway but the curiosity may kill hims!) alternatively may ask my parents or his to look after and collect if they take pity on me

 

[lilfishie]

if you have the other tank cycled and with fish in then you could get the filter for the new one now, then run it in the other tank (cycled one) until needed then you should have instant cycle

 

[Honeythorn]

I will leave added lifeforms to him when he gets the pressie!

Just don't add any more fish other than the betta. 5 gals is fine for one fish but any more fish based tankmates and you'll start running into water quality issues even with a filter. Shrimp should be fine though as they pruduce low waste . Ghost shrimp are good scavengers and rather amusing to watch,they are also big enough to not be eaten or really threatened by a betta if you end up with a feisty male.

 

[lilacamy931]

Nope no worries! No fishy friends at all - if there were to be multiply fishes then it wouldnt be with a beauty like these and definately a bigger tank! thanks for the good reminder though x

 

[lilacamy931]

Another question - live plants I have no experience of plants at all and generally only keep cactuses alive

Are there easy plants that I can add for a bettas benefit that would not have to do a lot for? Was thinking of adding some moss balls and would love some advice on other plants? Sorry to be a pain and thanks in advance

 

[lilfishie]

moss balls, java moss, cabomba, egeria are all easy plants to find and keep alive with minimum effort

 

[lilacamy931]

Thank you! off to research and source