Help me choose a new tank for my betta (and maybe more)

[dm800]

I have had a betta for several months in a small bowl and finally can't stand seeing him with no place to swim and want to get a good size aquarium for him. I have been checking around online and at some pet stores and actually saw a couple choices at Wal Mart I was considering. There was a 5 gallon Aqua Tech hex tank for $30 which after doing some research it appears is the same as the Eclipse hex rebranded. Then there was a 10 gallon setup for the same price, and a 14 gallon setup that had a heater and some other stuff for $60. So considering I would need to buy a heater for the first two setups, they all would come out to around the same price. The hex one has a bio wheel and the other two has the bio foam I think. I dont know much about those yet as I am still learning about the whole setup. Even though these sizes are much different, I am not concerned about the length because I have a very sturdy end table that is 24 inches wide that this would go on, and all are about the same width and height is no problem, so one really wouldnt take up more room than another.

So what do you guys think I should get? I have always wanted an aquarium and this gives me an excuse to get one now because my betta appears pretty healthy as his fins have grown very long and I can't stand for him to be in that tiny bowl anymore. I may also want to get a few more fish to put in there as well (whatever gets along with them). Is that a good idea or not to put other fish in there with him? I look forward to hear your opinions. Thank you!

[Blue Cray]

I suggest getting a 20 gallon tropical tank so you can have more than just the betta in the tank.

[Betta1]

Personaly I like bio-wheels, they allow anarobic bacteria to form. What that does I couldn't tell you but it allows a whole lot more of it to form then any other system. I'd say get the bio-wheel or the largest tank you can get, bigger is always better.

Keep in mind a betta doesn't need a heater although the other inhabitants you decide on may need one. It can be tough finding good tank mates for bettas as most often your going to get aggression one way or another, either from the betta or towards the betta. I've personaly seen a betta with guppies as well as rummy nose tetras. Niether attacked the betta though the guppy fry became dinner.

[dm800]

My betta would need heat because my house is about 60 degress at night and when I am not home. The biowheel just came with the hex one, so if I got the larger one I would either have to get a different filter, or would I be better off just buying everything separately?

[neilfishguy]

Originally Posted by Betta1

.

Keep in mind a betta doesn't need a heater although the other inhabitants you decide on may need one.

FALSE-dont spread false information bettas need temp 78 -80.

[dm800]

Originally Posted by Blue Cray

I suggest getting a 20 gallon tropical tank so you can have more than just the betta in the tank.

Do you happen to know the footprint of a 20 gallon? I am thinking that might be too big for my space. I know the 10 and this 14 I saw would fit there fine.

[Betta1]

Originally Posted by neilfishguy

FALSE-dont spread false information bettas need temp 78 -80.

it's more like 70-85 and i've had many bettas without heaters no problem, it's very common place to have bettas without heaters. They're extremely hardy fish

Also dm800 water holds temperature mutch better then air, your tank won't drop to 60 at night

http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/ti...bltanksize.htm

24" x 12" x 16"

[neilfishguy]

betta they will be much healthier in warmer water. just because you have had bettas without a heater does not mean its a good idea. its common to have goldfish is bowls too. a temp fluctuation is unsafer for fish as well...

[Chrispy]

if your shopping at wallmart i suggest buying the tank alone and then what you want on top of that. I bought a 10 gallon at walmart for $9.99 and was able to get everything else for it there for under 10 dollars more. and i also got the little heater they sale later for about 12 dollars. so i must say buying it individually is cheaper and will give you more creativity.

[emc7]

A lot of people like the "all-in-one" look of an eclipse, but all thing being equal (check the prices), I'm with Chrispy, get everything separate. Often you can go bigger if you buy the pieces. I've heard of these little acrylic tanks suddenly springing leaks and then you are out the whole amount. If a 10 gallon glass tank leaks, you just reseal it. If you crack it, you are out $10. It also lets you customize and swap things if your needs change. For just about any fish but bettas, get a larger filter (30 gal filter for 20 gal tank, etc.). For live plants, get a better light. Again for any fish except betta, bigger is better. (for instance if you want 4 bettas, 4 fives is better than one 20). A 20 high will fit your space, so will a 15 long. If you don't want live plants, you can even put a 10 gallon light on a 20 gallon tank or even skip the light altogether. If you only intend to have 1 betta, a 20 high is big enough to have a little school of cories or neons. And perversely, a 20 gallon tank is easier to care for than a 5 or 10. Its more stable, less likely to have crises.

[Dr_House]

Originally Posted by Betta1

it's very common place to have bettas without heaters. They're extremely hardy fish

In my opinion, this is poor reasoning. Just because a fish can tolerate something doesn't make it a wise setup. It is true that bettas are extremely hardy, but when you subject them to conditions that are not ideal, you roll out the welcome mat for disease and shorter lifespan. I am glad you haven't had these problems, but I would like to encourage you to be wary of the advice you give, as the person to whom you are giving it may not have the same luck.

In terms of the setup, I don't know exactly what is included in each, so it's difficult to make a recommendation. In my experience with Aqua Tech, which is manufactured by Marineland, they are made cheaply and perform as such. I'm glad they have decided to add the bio-wheel to the Aqua Tech brand, as that didn't used to be the case. However, I would still be hesitant about purchasing such products.

For what it's worth, I'm with those who say to buy the tank and the equipment separately. You will probably spend a little more, but you will have better quality equipment that will last longer and be less likely to malfunction. That is one of the things I would do differently if I went back. I would have saved up for the good stuff, since I always ended up having to replace the cheap stuff anyway.

[fishbone]

Wal-Mart stuff is overpriced crap IMO, I never trust all-inclusive kits. Also, avoid hex aquariums, they tend to have a small footprint, meaning they are tall more than they are long. Why don't you get an All-Glass-brand aquarium from your local fish store? I believe 5.5 gallon ones cost about $15 and 10 gallon ones $11 or so. A Tetra Whisper HOB filter and 50w heater will work just fine and are fairly inexpensive. I've been using their products for a year now and, knock on wood, no issues. Heater is around 12 bucks and filter is in the low $20s iirc. Pick up replacement media on Amazon.com, a pack of 6 pads and carbon will cost you about 15 bucks or so with shipping, not bad at all.

You know all the stuff about cycling an aquarium, right?

[JustOneMore20]

I agree with buying the tank separate from the equipment. I suggest paying a little more for quality equipment instead of buying cheap stuff. IMO, you get what you pay for.

There are many good brands of heaters that cost a little more than stuff sold at Walmart (and better than what would come in a kit). Visitherm heaters are great, as are Ebo Jagers and Hagen heaters.

Aquaclear and Marineland are 2 good filter brands.

How much space do you have available for a tank dm800? A 10g would be fine for a Betta and maybe some Harlequin rasboras. A larger tank would be better, but a 10g would definitely work.

[Betta1]

70-84 is a very large range for temperature and 95% of the people out there aren't going to spend the money for a heater on a betta, thats the main reason people buy a betta; all you need to invest is 10 bucks in a betta kit and 5 bucks on a fish, feed sparsley and change the water. They're a simple fish requireing minimal of everything.

Perhaps your correct, idealy they could benefit from heated water perhaps not. However this isn't a perfect world and most people looking to invest any amount of money isn't going to buy a betta.

[Betta1]

Originally Posted by neilfishguy

its common to have goldfish is bowls too.

Theres absolutley No comparing a goldfish in a bowl to a betta without a heater.

Bettas without heaters can live for years and years. A goldfish in a bowl.... goldfish grow to be a foot and produce unbelievable amounts of ammonia... no filtration and no room to grow = the worst circumstances seen in the hobby other then rare idiots.

[Dr_House]

Originally Posted by Betta1

Perhaps your correct, idealy they could benefit from heated water perhaps not. However this isn't a perfect world and most people looking to invest any amount of money isn't going to buy a betta.

There is no perhaps about it, Betta1. The ideal temperature for a betta is higher than 70 degrees. Again, I encourage you to strongly consider the impact of the information you purvey. To use the fact that we live in an imperfect world as justification for unideal conditions is, in my opinion, really missing the mark. If a person is not willing or able to provide for a certain type of fish, the prudent course of action would be to buy a different fish. (Sorry for the hijack, dm800...I'll stay off my soapbox from this point on.)

[Betta1]

I've never heard of a betta being in a heated tank unless it was with other fish, it's extremely common. I think your missing my point that the vast majority of betta owners aren't going to put a heater in a betta bowl. They can live years without. Working with customers has shown me that perfect fish keeping isn't always on the top of the list and not completely necessary, realistic and optimal are very different from one another. There is leway here and imo a heater isn't necessary for proper care, optimal though not required.

[fishbone]

Originally Posted by Betta1

70-84 is a very large range for temperature and 95% of the people out there aren't going to spend the money for a heater on a betta, thats the main reason people buy a betta; all you need to invest is 10 bucks in a betta kit and 5 bucks on a fish, feed sparsley and change the water. They're a simple fish requireing minimal of everything.

Sounds like a typical selfish, lazy fishkeeper who chooses to meet the bare minimums to keep a betta. Just because you can live in a closet doesn't mean you should. I had 2 bettas die on me due to illness that I can only attribute to stress related to low temps. 70 degrees exactly. Once raised to 78, the betta was happier, healthier and more lively. 70 is a good way to keep him/her in a perpetual lethargic state. 12 bucks for a decent heater? Come on, you can save that money by skipping the fries at the fast food a few times. 70 is low-balling it. 74 is more like it.

[JustOneMore20]

dm800 I apologize for your thread being hijacked, but I do agree that people should not be misinformed about the care of Bettas.

Although people believe that Bettas can live in any temperature (usually whatever room temp is), that is false. Bettas have shown to be listless, not as colorful, and more prone to disease and illness when they are in temperatures less than around 75F. 78-80F is the ideal temperature for Bettas and I believe responsible fish keepers should try to keep their fish in ideal conditions.

You may be right, Betta1, that most people will not invest in a heater for their Betta, but Bettas are fish that deserve to be cared for like any other fish. We should try to inform people of their correct conditions to keep their fish in and encourage them to setup tanks ideal for their fish (including Bettas). Just because everyone does something one way doesn't mean its right.

I can give you many websites on Betta keeping that say Bettas should be kept in temps in the high 70s to low 80s. I'm sure there are alot of sites that say Bettas can be kept at room temp though as well. The sites that I believe to be correct also give reasons as to why Bettas should be kept in their ideal temps (listliss, not as colorful, and more prone to illness are just some of the reasons).

[Dr_House]

dm800 - how is the tank coming along?