Setting up your first betta fish tank can be somewhat intimidating, but it shouldn’t be scary! In fact, it is good if you do feel a little worried, it proves you care and want to learn. This post will cover important steps you should take in order to create the perfect setting for a betta fish tank, it will state the importance of water cycling and give you tips for taking care of your new fish.
Getting the perfect set up
The tank have you chosen your bettas home yet? We have selected and reviewed some of our favorite betta fish tanks in this guide. Here are a few tips on choosing your own…
We recommend 5 gallon (20 – 25 litre tank) or more, this will ensure you have the healthiest and happiest betta fish – which is what having a pet is all about.
Another tip is that is is also good to have an aquarium that is longer than high. This isn’t too important but if we were to think of the betta fish’s natural environment – shallow streams – you will see that water depth isn’t too important but longer horizontally swim areas would be of benefit.
Position the tank where there is no direct sunlight, but still remains open and visible. Bettas like attention and don’t like dark corners of the room.
Do I need a filter for my betta fish?
A filter is a must to help keep the water cleaner for longer. However betta fish do not like strong flowing water / currents. So what is recommended is a gentle aquarium filter, or one that has an adjustable flow. The filter will keep the water clean and healthy for the fish.
The filter should have a manual that shows you how to set it up. After adding it to the aquarium make sure that it works and hopefully it won’t be creating too strong of a current. If you think the filter is too strong and your filter isn’t adjustable you could create a baffle from an inexpensive tank divider or make sure there are a few plants in the way to break the current.
Does a betta fish need a heater?
Betta fish are from tropical waters. The water temperature they like is around 77 – 80 degree Fahrenheit. This means that in most countries, yes you should have a heater on your tank.
It is important to keep temperatures at a constant. Fluctuations can be dangerous to your fish’s health. This is the job of the aquarium heater, it includes a thermostat ensuring a constant correct temperature even if the temperature in your house goes up and down. We have reviewed some ideal aquarium heaters and produced a guide here.
On very small tanks having a heater can be dangerous to the fish’s health due to the temperature of the water warming and cooling too fast. (But we know that betta fish should not be kept in small tanks anyways. )
Beginner betta fish tip: When using large gravel uneaten pieces of betta fish food fall and place themselves down the gaps of the pieces of gravel. This is hard to clean and leads to dirty water. Smaller finer gravel will help combat this.
If you want to use live plants you may have to look into the substrate so that the plants can grow and flourish. Before adding any live plants it is advisable to half fill your tank with water as it helps you to place the plants.
Live plants are recommended. Check out our guide for more detailed information on how to add live plants to your aquarium – this offers step by step instructions.
Adding some decorations
This is a great step! ? Now it is time to make the betta fish aquarium that you have set up look great and be a fun home for your fish buddy.
Add some fun aquarium decorations or maybe create a themed tank with the use of some ornaments – there are unlimited possibilities. It is always good to think of whose home it is and cater for their needs though. Betta fish love little hidey holes, nooks and crannys to swim to and from. The traditional and iconic aquarium castle actually makes a great feature to the betta fish tank – and they love hiding in them. Or how about a SpongeBob themed Aquarium?
A few things to avoid –
Plant pots – there has been a small craze of putting terracotta plant pots in fish tanks. This has led to many fish injuries! The drainage hole of a terracotta plant pot has very sharp edges, and fish (especially betta fish) swim quickly through this hole which can lead to huge and deep grazes.
Sharp fake plants – quite often fake aquarium plants are made of plastic. If you buy plastic plants make sure that the leaves do not have sharp edges. Betta fish fins are very delicate; any sharp edges can easily tear a betta fish fin. (Keep this in mind for all your decorations).
Don’t put your betta fish in the tank yet…
So your tank set up is ready and the decorations look great but the water conditions aren’t quite there yet.
- PH – an ideal PH is 7
- Temperature – 77 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit
- Ammonia – should be 0
- Nitrite – should be 0
A fishless cycle is what is required next.
Without a fishless cycle your betta could experience ‘new tank syndrome’ – it can kill fish.
Basically what this cycle does is build up beneficial bacteria in the tank / filter. These beneficial bacteria are used in the tank to break down harmful fish waste (ammonia) into a less toxic form, first to nitrite and then down to nitrate. Once this cycle is established your tank should stay at a steady Ammonia reading of 0 and Nitrite reading of 0.
A lot can be written on this subject and it’s a whole other blog post but it is important to know! That’s why I have to point you towards another page on the web that says it all. (Yes, I’m pointing you away from my site. Not many other bloggers would do that, but this is a great page that includes a calculator).
And now you have set up a betta fish tank! It’s time to choose your new betta fish from the local pet store and add it to the newly setup aquarium.
If the aquarium you have chosen is larger than 5 gallons you may also be able to add a tank mate or two, however there are a few things you should know…
Firstly, add fish slowly to the newly set up aquarium (not numerous fish in one day), this links back to the nitrogen cycle.
Secondly, betta fish have another name that you may be aware of, Siamese fighting fish, they get this name for their aggressive and territorial nature.
It is important to know what fish can live with bettas, this blog post will go through the details, but in summary no two betta fish should live together, you should avoid colorful fish with flowing fins and your tank needs 5 gallons of personal space for your betta fish.
And remember, please don’t use tiny tanks or vases – the water gets dirty / poisonous fast and limiting the movement of the fish is unhealthy and just plain cruel. Yes, betta fish have evolved to survive in small areas of water for periods of time before finding their way back to a stream but the keyword there is survive – they are not happy or healthy, that isn’t a life!
Hope you now have your betta tank set up perfectly with many happy years of friendship ahead of you :). Leave a comment describing your betta fish tank or even better a picture or video and let me know what you thought of the article – or if you would like to add to it.
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More tip :
15 Common Betta Fish Diseases Prevention and Treatment
MYTHS AND THE TRUTH ABOUT BETTA CARE
The most expensive betta fish in the world.
All of Betta Fish A Guide on Patterns, Color in the world
