New Tank

[Embrace]

Hi,
I could cycle the tank if you think that it will help?
I bought my 60L second hand and the filter had been off for about 3 weeks. I cycled it with ammonia and it only took 2-3weeks to cycle?

If I cycled it in a bucket do I then just transfer the filter to my new tank when I get a Betta?

 

[ShinLi]

I think a 26L.... thingy is way too small for a betta, it's way too small for most fish, maybe you can put some shrimp in the tank? Especially if you want it heavily planten, there's no room for the fish to swim! You also have to take the dimensions of the tank into account. And especially if you won't/can't install a filter/heating I really wouldn't recommend putting any sort of fish in there. A Betta really needs a minimum tank size of 60cm (50/60Liter) in order to be happy betta, and to be able to show his real personality and behaviour.

 

[Embrace]

Bettas can be kept in like 2 gallons of water? I only would have it heavy planted if I was going to have more than one (which I am not now).

I have heard that 28L is quite big for a single betta.

 

[ShinLi]

A Betta can grow to the size of 7cm. How big would a 28L be? 20cm in width? Maybe 30? It could barely swim two times and it would find itself at the other side already. A fish isn't much different to keeping a cat or a dog or any other type of animal. If you want a pet, you have to give it the space it needs and deserves. Of course a betta could live in a 28L tank, but will it live long? Will he be happy? Would you be happy living in a 2 square meter room? I don't think so.

Also in such a small tank, without a filter, it would get polluted very quickly. It's the same as keeping a goldfish in a fish bowel, it will die in it's own feces. I'm sorry if I sound a little... extreme. But I'm very against keeping fish in too small aquariums. I'm really not lying if I say a Betta needs at least 60L of water and a minimum tank size of 60cm. You wouldn't put a group of 5 neon tetra in a 26L tank either? Or any other type of fish for that matter.

26L is brilliant for making a nano aquarium. For holding a few shrimp in there, but no fish.

 

[Assaye]

Uh oh . . .

I can see the bowl brigade, the 3-5 gallon brigade and the 10-15 gallon brigade having fun here!

Embrace, you'll find a lot of opinions on tank size. Most threads on betta tank size get closed because they become arguements between the different factions. if you do your research and honestly believe you can keep a betta healthy in your tank, then go for it. There is no conclusive evidence for the space needed for a betta because it is very subjective.

As for the cycle - you need a working filter to cycle the tank and the cycle will take many weeks. If you can't keep the filter on 24/7, I don't see your tank ever cycling properly. During the time it is off, the bacteria will die back significantly.

ShinLi - unless it is a very, very tall thin tank, a 26-28 litre tank will be around 45 cm long, giving a full grown (non-gaint) betta more than 6 times it's own body length. My plakat male in a 28 litre tank has over 10 times his body length and is fit, healthy and highly active. I'm not arguing that bettas don't need larger tanks than they are often afforded but I will say that 26 litres is perhaps rather bigger than you think.

An interesting article from PFK

 

[Embrace]

Its about 35 cm width. I didn't realise such conflicting information
I will cycle the tank in a bucket of water and ammonia.
When I do get the betta I will test the water straight away and monitor it.
Thanks for all of your advice but I think that I will keep quiet now and let the thread fade away

 

[BethK]

28ltrs aka 7.4 US Gals is perfectly fine for a betta, I think Shinli is slightly confused with the size preference.

For a sorority, the only reason I would say it is fine, is that the more girls, the less fights. Females seem to prefer swimming in the plants (well, mine do).

It's all about experience, yes, you have to go with the tried and tested approach too, to see what works for you but that is what makes experience all the better.

I personally believe betta vases and bowls under 17ltrs are too small for a betta but that's through experience too. If you want a happy and healthy fish, research is the key, wait an extra month to build a few more pennies up to get that extra couple of litres. There are some good deals on ebay for 2nd hand tanks too, I got my firs 30ltr off of ebay for £12 GBP, bargain, considering it may have cost £60 in a shop.

We are here to advise and yes, if we feel that something is not going to go in the favor of a fish and it's owner, we'll say. But I would personally take the advice off members who have kept females and males, more so females if you're after sorority advice. Anyone can jump in, as Assaye points out about the brigades but if it helps and I would strongly suggest reading through past posts on members in the betta section, there is some good information here.

If you are still confused about all this, I am sure if you PM a mod, they will direct you towards the members who they feel will hand out better advice for your own comfort.

Remember, we're here to help, not judge x

 

[OldMan47]

The darned big tank brigade has no place here at TFF. I am well aware that they exist and can be very, very pushy about their opinions, but bashing other fish keepers will not be tolerated. Advice is a different matter. Any constructive advice, even from people like me who favor larger tanks is welcome. I keep my present male Betta splendens in a 45 gallon endler tank. He is in charge of eating surplus fry but he should be fired from that job. He is terrible at it. I also have a single Betta pugnax, who is far bigger than a splendens at about 8 cm, in my 120 gallon large fish community tank. He spends his day in the company of things like my 5 inch rainbow cichlids and a few 4 inch tall angels.
As a minimum size for a Betta splendens, you can take a cue from the breeders whose livelihood depends on them keeping stunningly good looking male Betta splendens. Since only the males require isolation, they run huge sororities but keep the males in jars. For good growth, the jars are at last a couple of litres volume but seldom much more. The fish's quality of life is why I favor company for my Bettas and also favor larger tanks. It is not because I am deluded into thinking it is a must for their health. If I get into breeding them, which I have done before, I am usually generous and give the young males a whole gallon of water, along with the frequent water changes. Many betta breeders would think I am crazy to devote that much space to them but hey, I am a hobbyist, not a commercial breeder.
The temperature for healthy Betta splendens is best at about 77F, 25C. For breeding you raise it a bit higher to around 80F, 27C. Simply raising the water temperature that high will often be enough to get a healthy male busy building a bubble nest.

 

[Embrace]

Thanks for the replies
I have taken on board what you have said and I really appreciate you advice .
Thanks very much