(Part 2) Best products from r/bettafish

Hello! Welcome to the wonderful world of betta keeping! I'm a bit late to the game, since this was posted a bit ago, and you've already recieved advice, but I'd like to offer up some as well.

As everyone has already said, it's a pretty big misconception for nearly all new betta keepers that bettas can be kept in small spaces without a filter or heater. This stems from the belief that bettas live in mud puddles, when it couldn't be further from the truth.

Bettas come from vast rice paddies, that will usually never dip below knee height and stretches for miles on end. In the dry season, the paddies do tend have lower water levels, but certainly not puddles. It's a densely planted ecosystem with moving water, and natural filters, ie. The plants and bacteria.

Since you're new to fish keeping (I assume, but apologies if I am wrong) you may not be aware of something called the "Nitrogen Cycle." While it may be confusing at first, essentially the beneficial bacteria that breaks down your fishes waste into ammonia, then nitrites, and then nitrates. This process is crucial for your fishes health and well being, and is very important in the fish keeping world, but I'll get into the specifics a bit more later in this comment.

While the "recommended" amount of space for a betta is commonly agreed to be 2.5 gallons, which is perfectly fine as a bare minimum, I would honestly not recommend such a small space for a beginner. This is because of the nitrogen cycle. I would go with a 5 gallon tank, or even a 10 gallon, which will be much easier to cycle and keep your fish much safer during the process.

As for the nitrogen cycle itself, the process happens on it's own, but you have to be the one to keep your fish safe during it. Basically, ammonia and nitrites are deadly to your fish, and for the first few weeks, these will be all too common. What your aiming for is the much safer, but still harmful in large quantities, and manageable nitrites at the end of the cycle.

The nitrogen cycle starts with the addition of ammonia into a new tank. This can be done in 2 ways, fish in or fish out. What you'll be doing is a fish in cycle. Beneficial bacteria will begin to grow in your tank to break down waste and convert them into the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates. The bacteria grow on surfaces, such as decor, gravel, filter, heater, glass, and is NOT present in the water itself. This means that for the next few weeks, you gotta stay on top of your water change game.

50% water changes every other day for 2 weeks. 30% water changes every other day for 2 weeks. 40% water changes about every 3-4 days for a week. 30% water changes about once or twice a week at the end of the cycle. I know it seems like a lot, but your fish will appreciate it.

For more information on the Nitrogen Cycle, you can search it on google, and a helpful video to watch on it is KGTropicals youtube video "everything you need to know about the nitrogen cycle." They break it down so well and have more visual representations, so I definitely recommend it.

Some things to consider getting for your fish as well, and things that will help your cycle a TON. I'll be adding links for visual representation, as well as trying to find you the best prices I can.

1. A good sized tank. I recommend a 5 or 10 gallon, much easier to start and keep a cycle in a bigger tank, but yes, 2.5 gallons is perfectly fine if you need it space wise. Be aware that even more water changes will be required to keep and maintain your tanks balance though.
   
   No links for this one since shipping a tank is a PAIN, but 5 and 10 gallon tanks can be bought from places like walmart, or local stores, or petsmart and Petco. I'm not sure if petco is still having their dollar per gallon sale, but a 10 gallon tank would only be $10.
   
   
2. A good water conditioner. I recommend something like Seachem Prime or Neutral Regulator. These will remove any heavy metals, chlorine, and chlorimine from your water, AND detoxify ammonia, and nitrites for 48 hours. This is SO GOOD for keeping your fish happy and healthy during the cycling process.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Safe-250-g-8-8-oz/dp/B0002A5WOC/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?keywords=seachem+prime&qid=1572116532&sr=8-8
   
   
3. A good filter. Personally, sponge filters are the way to go. Easy, cheap, reliable. Most local fish stores will have the sponge filter itself, but they can also be ordered on Amazon. The other things needed would be airline tubing, and an airpump. The tubing and air pump can be bought even at big retailers like walmart or meijer and replaced easily sin e they're so readily available.
   
   To clean a sponge filter is the easiest thing. While your changing tank water, out some in a clean bucket, take your sponge filter out, put in bucket of removed tank water, squeeze sponge filter, put back in tank. It also holds an awesome amount of the good beneficial bacteria and will not lose it when you clean it, unlike changing cartridges for a hang on back filter. They also aerate the water, bringing more oxygen into it, and don't create a high flow that will tire your betta.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Lefunpets-Biochemical-Sponge-Breeding-Aquarium/dp/B07VM8DN5Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?keywords=sponge+filter&qid=1572116736&sr=8-7
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Tetra-Whisper-Pump-Gallon-Aquariums/dp/B004PB8SMM/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=fish%2Btank%2Bair%2Bpump&qid=1572116792&sr=8-3&th=1&psc=1
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Penn-Plax-Aquariums-Flexible-Standard/dp/B0002563MW/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=airline+tubing&qid=1572116832&sr=8-3
   
   Hang on back filters can be used too though, I just don't find them as reliable.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Tetra-Whisper-Power-Filter-Three-Stage/dp/B001CHXJSK/ref=mp_s_a_1_16?keywords=fish+tank+filter&qid=1572117085&sr=8-16
   
   Be sure to use a hang on back appropriate for your tank size. Bettas can tire easily of water flow is too high, and in some cases you may still need to baffle the filter.
   
   https://youtu.be/Hse7F3pvHqI
   
   
4. A good heater. Ideally, you want one you can adjust. Choose a heater for your tank size as well. Too small, won't keep water warm, too bug, could possibly cook your fish. That's never a good thing.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/HITOP-Aquarium-Reptiles-Thermometer-50W-Grey/dp/B07MJJJ4QQ/ref=sxin_2_ac_m_pm?ac_md=1-0-VW5kZXIgJDIw-ac_d_pm&keywords=fish+tank+heater&pd_rd_i=B07MJJJ4QQ&pd_rd_r=429ee2a8-3699-45aa-8e2b-e30164b14a2a&pd_rd_w=uFCrj&pd_rd_wg=125c4&pf_rd_p=808372f4-ce06-4458-88ef-16b605aa053a&pf_rd_r=T4YHMVDAP5EAQSAGXKJV&psc=1&qid=1572117367
   
   
5. A good food. The recommended I've seen so far is Northfin betta bits, or Fluval bug bites. You can also go the frozen food route, but it's a bit more expensive and involved.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Northfin-Betta-Bits-Pellet-Package/dp/B01C1ARV3K/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=northfin+betta+bits&qid=1572117834&sprefix=northfin+&sr=8-2
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Fluval-A6577-Tropical-Granules-Medium/dp/B07194GD1F/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=fluval+bug+bites&qid=1572117868&sprefix=fluval+bug&sr=8-4
   
   I use a mix of Aqueon, Northfin, and Fluval for some variety in my bettas diets along with frozen blood worms. They love them. I've heard Hikari betta food is good too.
   
   I don't recommend the generic foods sold at walmart. The pellets are too big, and the formula is low quality. It'll keep your betta alive, but just isn't great for them. Also, flake foods are a no no. It's just too messy, the fish doesn't eat all of it, and just isn't worth it.
   
   Lastly, you want to decide what kind of decor you will go with. If you go artificial, be sure to use soft, silk plants so your bettas fins do not get hurt.
   
   I recommend live plants always though, cause they help a lot in keeping your tank clean, produce oxygen, and will help absorb some of nitrates in the water. All around good stuff. Easy plants to take care of are anubias, java ferns, java moss, water wisteria, and floating plants like water lettuce.
   
   Bettas also need hiding places. This can be anything really. From the decor sold at walmart, natural looking rock caves, or even a terracotta pot. It doesn't really matter, as long as it doesn't have sharp points.
   
   The decor is up to you and what you like.
   
   Ummmmm, I can't think of anything else really. But if you need any help with anything, feel free to reach out! A lot of us are passionate about our quirky little dudes and gals and will be more than happy to help with anything you need advice on. And use the internet to your advantage too! There's TONS of good information and videos out there now, and you can find what you're looking for at the touch of a screen now.
   
   And also also, please do not feel bad about your start at betta keeping. We all start somewhere, and more than likely, we have all made this very same mistake. I know I did. The best thing to do now is to just work on upgrading your little dude and providing the best care you can for him. He'll start to heal up and REALLY shine.
   
   Apologies for extremely long message, but I hope this helps and wish you and your betta the best of luck!! ☺️

u/ShySquids - Continued comment:

For your next adventure into betta-keeping, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this tank: https://www.petsmart.com/fish/starter-kits/top-fin-essentials-aquarium-starter-kit-5262256.html 5.5g tank

My bettas love theirs! https://i.imgur.com/6M2Qu58.mp4 <-- Here's my pink-red combtail boi Raiku, wiggling super excitedly in his 5.5g tank :)

OR better yet: https://www.petsmart.com/fish/starter-kits/top-fin-essentials-aquarium-starter-kit-5262353.html (comes with bonus 50w adjustable heater too, so one less thing to buy)

Just be sure to mod the included filter like this: https://i.imgur.com/QYNiVEV.mp4

With these (or similar, but aquarium-specific) materials:

- https://www.amazon.com/Fluval-SPEC-Biomax-2-1-ounces/dp/B0049RNW96?th=1&psc=1

- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R38MMXG/

- https://www.amazon.com/Marineland-PA0100-Bonded-Filter-312-Square-Inch/dp/B0002565PW/

​

OR better yet:

Here's my favorite sponge filter setup which I use in my own 5.5g tanks (they're rated for up to 20g and are nice compact sponge filters, so do not take away much space from your tank).

https://www.amazon.com/Powkoo-Double-Biochemical-Aquarium-Gallons/dp/B01M3VALFU/ My bettas (and I) LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!!!

AND from Petsmart - I HIGHLY recommend the TopFin Quartz BioBalls ceramic filter media, the rounded pearl shape makes them fit a lot more into a small space such as the dual-media chambers in the sponge filter I highly recommended above. It looks like this in store: https://i.imgur.com/Xz50k5F.jpg (I think it's not yet listed on their website because the stuff is still a new release).

https://www.amazon.com/U-picks-Aquarium-Gallon-Quietest-Accessories/dp/B07RRNDMXJ/ Nice air pump with all accessories to set it up - quiet mini air pump, check valve, and airline tubing.

See it all in action: https://i.imgur.com/KAyjMaj.mp4 (not my tank but my friends when she was fishless cycling hers, and the sponge filter is nicely visible. Mine is hidden behind bunch of silk plants :< lol)

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the above sponge-filter setup as it provides excellent filtration + is very gentle on the betta. (IF & when you get this filter + all the stuff to run it, let me know and I can walk you through the setup of it in full details at that time).

Your 3g tank, while it certainly wasn't the worst, is still well below the minimum tank size we recommend for betta here, which is 5 gallons. As I explained before, a smaller tank requires far more maintenance than a larger tank, and is also far less stable in the nitrogen cycle which can result in issues with water quality.

​

I hope you'll start your next betta tank adventure with either the 5.5g or the 10g kit (or larger lol) and FISHLESS cycle. The Nitrogen Cycle and the Fishless Cycle - getting your aquarium ready for fish - INJAF

Must-Have items for your Fishless Cycling process + Additional Info:

https://www.amazon.com/API-FRESHWATER-800-Test-Freshwater-Aquarium/dp/B000255NCI/ <--- ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE, VERY IMPORTANT, liquid water parameters test kit. Three main things to check every-other-day: Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate. Not cycled will read 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite, 0 Nitrate. Cycling in progress will read some ammonia and/or some nitrite, but little or no nitrate. Fully Cycled will read 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite, and 5-10 ppm of Nitrate, then when nitrate reaches 15-20 ppm in a cycled tank a water change is necessary to reduce said nitrates.

https://www.amazon.com/Seachem-116012300-Stability-500ml/dp/B0002APIIW <-- Beneficial Bacteria blend, add 2x-3x the recommended amount of this directly into the filter, filter media, & tank water, especially after a water change. Add the bene-bacteria on a DAILY basis, for up to a week or longer if you like. Don't worry about "overdosing" on Bene-bacteria, the more the better when trying to kickstart a nitrogen cycle.

https://www.amazon.com/Seachem-116043304-Prime-500ml/dp/B00025694O/ <--Best water conditioner, also temporarily binds ammonia into less harmful form.

Optional but might be good to consider getting: Dr. Tim's Ammonia (for fishless cycling)

Hey there! Bettas can be super fun to have and you’re gonna love watching Harmony grow!

It looks like a lot of people already started pointing you in the right direction, I want to add on to that a bit since this is a baby betta (or just much younger, cant tell that well haha sorry)

Babies need a little bit of extra care to survive, they’re more fragile than adults.

So important stuff: feeding, temperature, water changes, and “cycling” (Disclaimed: I may repeat stuff others posted)

Feeding babies - Since she is small, she only needs a bit of food each day. Babies need a lot of nutrients to grow, and we can’t always give them that super varied live diet, luckily there’s options like using supplements and frozen foods. It’s best to feed small amounts throughout the day, frozen bloodworms would work, soaked in Seachem’s Nourish for nutrients and vitamins she needs to grow healthy! You could feed one whole bloodworm a day or tiny pieces of crushed pellets, Fluval Bug Bites or Northfin Betta Bits are healthy pellets with minimum fillers and preservatives, lots of good ingredients too but shell probably still need a supplement like Nourish. You could probably find it online, I linked an amazon link below. In order to properly digest and metabolize the food, she’ll need the proper heat.

Temperature - Adult bettas can thrive in water temperatures between 78-80°F, babies on the other hand need the water to be a bit warmer at around 81-82°F. To achieve this temperature, youll probably need an adjustable heater. The smallest adjustable heater I can think of is a 25watt heater, which would be too strong for a small bowl like that.

Tank - A 3 gallon tank would fit a 25 watt heater nicely for now, then when she gets bigger you can upgrade her to a 5 gallon and still use the same heater! (A general rule is 5watts per gallon, but a 25watt would work fine in a 3 gallon) You’ll also need to cycle the tank, which i’ll explain more below, and do frequent water changes once its cycled because while the fish grow, they produce a hormone that if it builds up in the water can stunt the fish’s growth - decreasing the lifespan. In a cycled 3 gallon tank, 3-5 small water changes each week would be great in my opinion. You also want to keep the water clean of course! Gravel vacuums are great for that.

Now onto the big part, cycling and the nitrogen cycle.

Since you already have your fish, you’ll have to fish-in cycle.

Fish-in cycling -

Basically consists of 1/2 water changes every day using Seachem Prime. Do this until your tank is cycled, which I’ll explain how to know that below.

While cycling, add the beneficial bacteria directly into the filter daily.

• ⁠A good filter set up is something with low flow, it can be baffled if needed. For filter media (or the guts of the filter) cermaic bio media, aquarium sponge, and filter floss would be great. Don’t replace any of this unless it starts breaking down, then you’ll need to seed new media, but you shouldn’t have to worry about that for a long time.

You’ll need an API Master Test kit, this is an accurate way to know your parameters (such as ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate). This is more accurate than strips, with test strips its super easy to get an inaccurate reading. The kit also lasts longer so you’ll get your money’s worth. I’ll include a link below to the kit.

When the tank is cycled, you’ll test and find 0 parts per million (ppm) ammonia, 0ppm nitrite, and ‘x’ amount ppm of nitrate. (Dont focus too hard on what parts per million means, its just how this stuff is measured. Nitrates should be kept under 20ppm, they arent as toxic as ammonia or nitrites but can be in large amounts.)

After your tank is cycled, you’ll need to do weekly water changes a few times a week using a gravel vacuum preferably. Gravel vacuum/siphons allow you to get the dirt out of the gravel easily without needing to take it out. (Leave the fish in when you gravel vacuum, take care to watch where she is especially since shes small) Highly recommend getting one of these! Its a necessity!

• ⁠Avoid large water changes, it could offset the balance of your tank. Never rinse the filter media in tap water, that can kill the beneficial bacteria (which I’ll send links to explain that more in a second). To clean the filter inserts aka media, just take them out and swish or squeeze in old tank water till the gunk is out. You’ll probably only need to do this once a month or so.

You may want to opt for a sponge filter, it should be safe for the baby so she doesn’t get sucked into any filter intakes. To set it up you’d need an air pump, standard airline tubing, a check valve, and things to make a bleed valve so you can adjust it.

Links-

Information:

Nitrogen Cycle: https://fishlab.com/nitrogen-cycle/

Fish-In Cycling: https://www.reddit.com/r/bettafish/wiki/fishincycle?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app

My diagram/explanation on the cycle:https://www.reddit.com/r/bettafish/comments/c8evu4/nitrogen_cycle_art_by_me/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app

Supplies:

API Freshwater Master Test Kit 800-Test Freshwater Aquarium Water master Test Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000255NCI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_cEpvDb8R85Q1K

Seachem Prime Fresh and Saltwater Conditioner - Chemical Remover and Detoxifier 100 ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000255PFI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_u-kKDbTMV2W8K

Northfin Food Betta Bits 1Mm... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M4Q5DQ4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

This is the best quality pellet I’ve found, here’s why:

• ⁠Nutritious, includes whole ingredients
• ⁠No fillers, hormones, or artificial pigments
• ⁠Packed with proteins, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals
• ⁠Floating pellets, roughly 1mm (they float for a bit then drop, my bettas chase them down)
• ⁠Easily digestible to promote optimal nutrient absorption

(This stuff is advertised by seller, but if you read the labels its all good. Harmony will be able to eat 5-6 of these daily as an adult. 2-3 in the morning, 2-3 at night)

Seachem Nourish 100ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018CM0DO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_sekRDbR4YR0NG

(If you do some research and find a supplement you like better, then by all means go for it!)

Helpful other supplies:

Seachem Stability Fish Tank Stabilizer - For Freshwater and Marine Aquariums 500 ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002APIIW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_k.kKDbDZMVD4J

(Bacteria in a bottle, it’ll help speed up the cycling process.)

Gravel Vacuum/Siphon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q97ZPSF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_LblKDbFT79MAB

(Of course you don’t need this specific one, I just chose the best seller off Amazon as an example of what to look for. The local pet store should have these for around $10)

How to use a gravel vacuum: https://youtu.be/LYv5n0a85OY

150 is totally realistic. Planted tanks are the best. I'm not sure what advice you've already received but 10 gallons is "big enough". It is just that the larger the body of water the easier it is to keep stable. 10 gallons is an awesome starting point. I'll take a shot at a $150 total setup, that is plenty for a planted tank:

• API master test kit. Most important of all important importants :). No really though, get one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000255NCI/ref=sr_ph_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497496243&sr=sr-1&keywords=API+master+test+kit - $30
  
  
• 10 gallon tank from petsmart or petco - $14.99
  
  
• Aquaclear 30 hang-on-back filter - $32.00. This will eliminate the need for a air pump and sponge filter.
  These things are awesome.
  They are reliable, have adjustable flow, and make it so you can stack the media you want in your filter without having to go crazy expensive witha
  canister filter.
  They also come with really decent media. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00020SVDG/ref=sr_ph_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497495329&sr=sr-1&keywords=aquaclear+30
  
  
• This light will grow low maintenance plants easily and is highly reviewed - $17.99: https://www.amazon.com/NICREW-Aquarium-Light-Extendable-Brackets/dp/B0191EWII2/ref=sr_1_4?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1497495518&sr=1-4&keywords=aquarium+led+light
  
  
• Cheap and awesome heater AND thermometer combo - $14.00 - https://www.amazon.com/Aquatop-Aquarium-Submersible-100-Watt-Thermometer/dp/B06X3RYRMD/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497495598&sr=8-1&keywords=aquatop+100w
  
  
• Food of your choice ~ $4-8. I highly recommend Hikari Micro pellets. They are one food that my most stubborn will eat and they are small enough that no matter what age fish you get they will be able to eat them.
  
  
• Seachem Prime $13 - Hands down best water conditioner out there. MUCH CHEAPER online. Do not buy it in stores if you can avoid it. It will last forever too: https://www.amazon.com/Seachem-116043304-Prime-500ml/dp/B00025694O/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1497495705&sr=1-1&keywords=Seachem+Prime
  
  
• Hiding places and plants - $??? - The rest of your budget I guess. I like to build caves out of slate tiles and silicone from home improvement stores ($1.98/sq foot). Bettas like to explore and like places to get out of the light when they feel like it. Building slate caves is a really cost effective way to do that. Another idea is the super cheap clay pots. If you get clay pots just make sure you plug the hole at the bottom of the pot (the edges are very sharp and will cut your betta's fins).
  
  
  • As for live plants I have had the best success with shopping on amazon or /r/aquaswap. Some great vendors (and I mean great, the plants come in amazing condition days later in the mail) are substratesource and Aquarium Plants Factory
    
    
    So that is ~$120.00 without the plants and hiding places. That leaves you $30.00 for plants which is a great amount of money to get a very nice planted setup going. My 1 best piece of advice is to heavily plant the tank from the very beginning. The more plants you put in there, the more competition there is for algae and the better everything in your ecosystem will thrive.
    
    Edit: forgot to include cleaning basic tools such as a siphon: https://www.amazon.com/Python-Pro-Clean-Aquarium-Gravel-Squeeze/dp/B00BDPFYEI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1497496172&sr=8-2&keywords=python+siphon and a bucket :) make sure you get those.
    
    =D

Okay, wall-o-text incoming! Here's some things I learned before and during the whole process.

• An adjustable heater is great to have. Having an adjustable heater was super helpful when I got an infestation of ich, since I just raised the temp for a few weeks and totally solved the issue. I got this one, which was the cheapest heater I could find that didn't have a lot of it-malfunctioned-and-killed-my-fish reviews. It does run a little hotter than the adjustment knob reads, but I just tweak it using my thermometer for reference. I'm happy with it and a lot of people on the aquarium subs I visit reccomend it.
  
  
• The filter: When I set up my tank, I wanted a small filter that didn't hang over the back (easier to put a lid on the tank, plus the waterfalls from HOB filters are louder than I wanted for a tank in my bedroom). I ended up getting this one, which has been really nice because 1) the output's adjustable so I can point it anywhere and 2) the flow is adjustable too so I can tweak it for a low flow that's not too much for my betta. It's also quiet!
  
  
• The light I went with was this one in a desk lamp. If you don't get a light that's specifically made for aquarium plants, make sure that it's in the temperature spectrum of 5500K-6500K (6500K is best). You're looking for something that mimics the temperature of sunlight. For brightness, people tend to argue about the best way to measure what you need, but since nobody wants to buy a PAR meter for just a 5g low-tech tank, you're probably okay going by the watts-per-gallon rule (that's actual wattage, not equivalent wattage). Low light would be 1.5-2 WPG, medium light would be 2-3. Mine's 2.6. Then there's how long you keep the light on: my understanding is that when you start a tank, you want to have the photoperiod shorter at first (like 6 hours/day) and then over a few weeks increase it to 8-9 hours/day. You can get a timer for a few bucks at Home Depot.
  
  
• Looking back at your plants, java fern and moss are great beginner plants and I've really enjoyed mine. Amazon sword grows leaves ~20 inches tall, which would be too big for a 5 gallon. Water wisteria also grows that tall, but you can keep trimming it back so it might still work. Anacharis and anubias are some other easy-to-grow plants that have worked for me.
  
  
• I started out using root tabs for fertilizer, but I've still had issues with nutrient deficiency, which in hindsight makes sense because most of my plants aren't super rooty. So recently I bought some liquid fertilizers - you need to take care of both macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, aka NPK) and micronutrients (lots of other trace elements). I bought Flourish to deal with the micros, and then Flourish Nitrogen, Flourish Phosphorus, and Flourish Potassium to take care of the other ones. The smallest bottles are about $8 each, but it's enough to last a long time for a 5g. Too early for me to see how it'll play out, though. Having a medicine dropper has been helpful for measuring both fertilizers and water conditioner.
  
  
• Lots of people also like to use a source of carbon for their aquariums (like Flourish Excel), although I haven't tried that yet. My understanding is that it's helpful for getting plants to grow better, whether or not you also use CO2.
  
  
• For cycling your tank and checking parameters, a liquid test kit is both more accurate and cheaper in the long run, so go with one of those. Having a lot of plants in an aquarium also helps it cycle faster, so that's good.
  
  
• A snail is great for cleaning up algae in your tank, although if you get runaway algae problems it's probably indicating some other issue. You can also try getting shrimp depending on your betta's temperament. For adding any tankmate, you'll be most likely to have success if you introduce it at the same time as your fish (or after majorly rearranging things) so he doesn't get a territory staked out beforehand and act more aggressive.
  
  That's what comes to mind right now, if you have any other questions feel free to ask and I'll try to help you as best as I can. /r/plantedtank is also super helpful for answering questions!

The most expensive part is gonna be the tank itself. Everything else you can find for pretty cheap on amazon.

I’d recommend a 5 gallon tank, this sponge filter, this heater, and you can find super cheap air pumps and tubing on amazon as well. I have also seen them for pretty cheap at petco/petsmart.

Sponge filters are super cheap to begin with and super easy to maintain and are best with bettas because of their low flow. I think they look nicer too and you don’t need to have a clunky, ugly lid since it doesn’t need to hang from the top.

Here is how my tank has evolved, and IMO has gotten much more aesthetically pleasing!

If you can I’d recommend pushing your friend towards live plants! They look nicer, are better for your fish, and help complete the ecosystem in your tank. There are some awesome plant options for low tech set ups (like so low tech you just put them in and add a bit of seachem flourish when they look like they need a boost). I currently have anubias, tropica fern, and amazon sword. Also moss balls look really cool!

You don’t even need to spend money on aquarium decor; clean mugs or jars work well as places to hide and I think it’s a unique look in the tank. I use little terra cotta pots so if you have those on hand those work great too (just plug the hole at the bottom).

Aqua swap is a good place to keep an eye out for a 2nd hand tank on the cheap, as well as plants, driftwood, basically anything else you’ll need!

Good luck finding this buddy a new home!! Post pics when he’s settled in!

I don't know if it's different in Hawaii, but in most states a 5 gallon tank is like $13, and a 10 gallon is the same price. Used 10 gallons tanks are typically $10 or less, and petco/petsmart both do a "dollar per gallon sale" pretty often where brand new 10 gallon tanks are $10.

If that's still a pinch, you can use a plastic bin that holds a simiilar amount of water for like $5 or less. It wont look as pretty but it will keep him healthy until a tank is affordable.

As for heaters, here's a really cheap one that I've used!

Filters can be really cheap as well, especially sponge filters. This one is only $3 and would be great in a betta tank. Since it's a sponge filter, you also need an air pump, but those are cheap too. This one is like $6, you could probably do some googling around and find even cheaper ones though. You'll also need some airline tubing, which is pretty cheap as well, here's some that is $3 and way more that you need.

I've had my share of money troubles, so I know a lot of ways to make keeping a fish healthy a lot cheaper. If you get the filter and heater I recommended, it'll only cost $20.84 (plus tax and maybe some shipping costs). And then the tank or plastic bucket/bin or something will be another ~$10. So that doesn't seem too unreasonable. If you can't afford that all at once, the bigger tank should be top priority, along with the filter. The heater is also very important, but less so than the filter and the bigger tank.

If you can't get ANYTHING at all yet, in the meantime you'll need to be doing daily water changes (at least 50% of the water or more) to keep the ammonia down and safe for him. Make sure you're only changing the water with new conditioned water, not tap water. The chlorine in tap water is toxic.

One last thing, check your local craigslist listings too! I know Hawaii tends to be a bit more expensive than around here, but sometimes you can find REALLY good deals on used fish stuff compared to buying it new. That's always a good option on a budget.

Hopefully this helped a little bit!

I got the Marineland 5 Gallon Portrait off of amazon, I love it. It's on sale right now for $41 and comes with everything you need except for a heater, thermometer (It *MIGHT* have come with a stick on the glass thermometer, I can't remember, but I don't think it did) and of course accessories like substrate/plants. I did have to remove the pump and turn the flow all the way down, as it comes cranked all the way up, and I made a baffle out of a water bottle to redirect the water flow a little so it doesn't blow him all over the tank. It's easy to play with the outflow and get it where you want it to be. It also has a little notch built in for your heater cord, which is nice, because there is not a lot of room to run cords thru where the covers are. The instructions say not to place the heater in the filter compartment, but I have read of many people doing it without issue, I haven't tried it because I'm scared lol, but it would definitely be more aesthetically pleasing that way. It is literally the perfect betta tank with a few modifications. I love the lid, everything fits nice and tight, no worrying about jumping out, or even snails escaping. If you have a cat that might be inclined to step on top of the lid... it's not going anywhere at all, so thats a big plus for some folks. The filter and pump is all tucked into a compartment in the back so you don't see any of it. Plenty of room to add more biological media. The light is adequate as well, very bright. I have seen videos of people modifying the filter set up, theres plenty of room in there to make modifications. Here is a video about the tank from Aquarium Co-Op on youtube. If i remember correctly he shows you the modifications he made to it. I really do love it, and my fish has been very happy in it!

​

If you decide to get plants... be careful buying them at the store. I spent way too much on plants at the store that weren't in the greatest condition (granted I was buying for a 40 gallon and a 10 gallon as well and you won't have to spend much to fill a 5 gallon), they were about the same price online, and arrived MUCH healthier than the ones in the store were. I ordered a low light bundle off of amazon and was pleased with it. I also find that by buying at the store, I have no idea what the hell I'm looking at/for because I am a noob. That is why I bought bundles of plants that someone else pre-picked to work in a low light tank lol. I have also shopped eBay, you can get buy 2 get 1 free on a lot of plants, and the sellers are incredibly helpful!! Here is a nano aquarium bundle on amazon, I don't think you could buy these in store for less than that price either! The description says " This is a live plant bundle for smaller/nano aquariums or betta tanks.The plants do not need any special fertilizers or CO2, just enough light from an aquarium lamp to thrive. All plants are smaller and none are taller than 6". The plants in this bundle includes a Rosette sword, Marimo Moss Ball, Cryptocoryne Parva, Lobelia Cardinalis, Micro-Swords, Anubias Nana. "

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It is more expensive than gravel, but I would look into Fluval Stratum or the Seachem Black for your substrate if you do real plants. Someone with more experience please correct me if I am wrong on any of this!!

​

I hope that helped some, all just my opinion based on what I've experienced/learned thus far with my 5 gallon & plants. I am a noob to planted tanks, but I really wanted to get away from plastic plants since they can hurt fins. I am still learning, so I am sorry if I gave you any misinformation!

If a fish is inactive, it usually means they don't have enough room to swim around and explore. 5 gallons is beautiful for a betta, you should do a 5 gallon with live plants, it's beautiful to look at! If you're concerned about price as well, here are some good options:

• Petco has 5 gallon Aqueon tanks for sale for ~$16 dollars.
  
• A good filter to use for these would be the Aqueon Quietflow Internal Filter AT10. I use one of these in a 1.5 gallon hospital tank, but the gph is good for up to 5 gallons. And it's only $15!
  
• You can use anything for a tank lid, but if cost is an issue, these guys work great, ~$7.
  
• A good, inexpensive heater is the Hydor 25 watt heater. ~15 bucks and from what I've heard (I'm getting one tomorrow for my new Spec V so I'll update if anything goes wrong) it's amazing.
  
• You can use any substrate that supports plant life, but I personally use Eco-Complete Plant Substrate. It's around $20 for a 20 lb. bag, so it's a pretty good deal as well.
  
• Plants in general can be quite inexpensive. If you just buy a couple of Anubias (the large variety) and some java ferns, maybe some Anacharis to float or bunch, you're looking at ~$34 dollars (give or take) for the entirety of your tank's plants.
  
  All in all, you're looking at ~$107 for a better tank for your fish, or ~$53 for just the basic set up (minus the live plants/plant supporting substrate). If you want lighting, I've heard that basic desk lamps like this one work great in lieu of expensive LED setups.
  
  OR
  
  You can buy a Fluval Spec V, they're on sale for $59.99 and come with a filter, lighting, lid, etc. All you would need is substrate and a heater.
  
  Let me know if you have any questions!

I've kept Bettas on a budget before- there are some things that you really do need, and some things you can do ugly and cheap. The trouble is that you're starting with two and have limited space, a bad combination. I'd suggest you really try hard to rehome at least one, but proceeding on the idea that you're absolutely determined to keep both, I'll lay out the least expensive way to get things done in my experience.

To pick up now:

-Dechlorinater/water conditioner: In your grandma's days, there were fewer additives in water than they are now, and not all of them gas off when left to sit out. If you absolutely can't afford even a tiny container of prime, which can really help in small tank situations because it temporarily neutralizes ammonia- then pick up a cheaper water treatment. Most pet stores carry generic ones, or API is $4 and change on amazon. Can't emphasize enough how much better prime would be though. The smallest bottle should last you for a couple months, so don't worry too much about volume.

-If you can do it, Petco's dollar/gallon sale is the best value you're likely to get on a 10G, as mentioned. Failing that, check your local thrift stores. I think a 10G would be ideal for you if you can make it work- it'll be cheapest and the least amount of maintenance, if you use dividers. Here's a way to make mesh dividers for it yourself from things you can pick up at any craft store, for a couple bucks total (you can also make lids out of the same material). I've made these before and as long as you measure them right, they work fine. If you absolutely can't get or fit a 10g, you bare minimum need about 3g per betta in separate containers or you'll be courting ammonia burns and finrot super quickly. Bowls aren't ideal, but if you're doing a temporary setup they may be easier to find. Be creative if you have to- you want something with horizontal swimming space, rather than vertical (avoid anything taller than it is long), but there are all kinds of odd glass vessels at your average salvation army. A ~3.5 gallon spherical bowl is going to be 12" in diameter. Anything with flat sides, measure and calculate the rough volume in cubic inches, then convert to gallons. Whatever you get, clean it thoroughly. If you use bleach, let it sit out in the sun for a few hours before filling it with water.

-Hides: Cheapest part. In college I had a Betta setup with a half-buried coffee mug and some silk plants from Michaels in it. Grab a couple mugs at the thrift store or throw in your least favorites. You want ceramic not plastic or metal, minimal or no paint if possible. Bury them halfway in the substrate. Craft store silk plants are inexpensive and are fine in a pinch, just boil them first. You want at least some that reach up to the top of the tank, to give them cover at all levels.

-Substrate: Whatever's cheapest is fine. A 5lb bag of imaginarium sand will run you $5 or so at petsmart. If you have a local fish store, they may sell gravel or sand in bulk for cents to the pound, so you could call around and ask. Whatever you use give it a quick rinse before adding it.

-Here's a $10 adjustable amazon heater. If you're doing two 5 gallons, get two 25 watts. A 10 gallon divided, get the 50 watt. A heater goes a long long way to keeping your fish healthy- once you need to start buying medicine your budget is blown. You won't see many non-adjustable ones for much less than this, and they're less reliable since they heat at a constant rate regardless of water temp. Get a cheap glass thermometer with it, they're in any big-box pet store.

To pick up soon:

-Filters and pumps: Sponge filters are the way to go in small betta setups for sure, and they are extremely cheap online. Here's one for $2 for a 10G; here's the one I use in my 7G for $4. Make sure to carefully read the guide on cycling before you put a filter in, because things will get less stable before they get more stable, which is why in your situation I'd be vigilant about water changes (see the caresheet for frequency) and put off the filter til you can afford an API test kit. Because things can spike so so fast, it's really not advisable to run through a fish-in cycle blind in any small tank. You'll pair it with an air pump, this one's $7.

-API master test kit: This is the most expensive thing on the list, which is the only reason it's under later. API also makes test strips, but they're $10 for a pack of 25, wheras the master test kit has far far more uses in it for $20 and is much more accurate. Knowing your water parameters is good any day, but essential once you introduce any kind of filter.

Altogether I think you could get this kind of absolute barebones setup done for around $30 up front and $30 later if you play your cards right, less if you find a home for one fish. It'll still require elbow grease to put together, though.

You have tons of people already going at you with the "just go for the 5 gallon" so I won't bother with that (2.5 gallon is still perfectly acceptable. I have a 1.5 gallon with a happy betta). Anyways, for filter you have a few options. I've used all of these filters as well.

Finnex Pure-5 Power Filter: https://www.amazon.com/Finnex-Pure-5-Power-Aquarium-Filter/dp/B004NP66M4

One of the very best filters for small set ups. A definite feature you'll love is the adjustable flow it has. Make sure to baffle it up if necessary. I personally use this one the most in my tanks.

AZOO Mignon Filter 60: https://www.amazon.com/AZOO-AZ13097-Mignon-Filter-60/dp/B005VEWCMO

An amazing filter that is very quiet and very powerful. Comes with a pre filter as well so your betta's fin will be super safe. Baffle it up though since it is quite powerful but it's also adjustable.

Fluval Nano Filter: https://www.amazon.com/Fluval-A455-Nano-Aquarium-Filter/dp/B004BZKDZC

This one is for when you do get a 5 gallon or bigger. This one is an amazing filter if you are willing to do some DIY on it. One of the major problems is the impeller is sometimes loose in some units and you'll have to wrap some teflon tape on it. If this bothers you, I'd skip this one but this is seriously a great filter.

Another option for filters is a sponge filter which is always cheap and readily available/easily made.

For heaters, you have a few options as well but I'll just list the ones I usually use. NOTE: I personally buy new heaters every year because the possibility of overheating still exists.

Tetra HT-50: https://www.amazon.com/Tetra-26447-Submersible-Aquarium-50-Watt/dp/B000OQO69Q

Don't let the 50 watt scare you because this one is probably one of the best and trusted non-adjustable heater. It is non-adjustable though so it will keep it at around 24-26°C.

Hydor Original Theo: https://www.amazon.com/Hydor-Submersible-Glass-Aquarium-Heater/dp/B0006JLPG8

One of the most trusted adjustable heaters. Useful for when you need to raise the temperature of your water. I haven't really used this one as much as the Tetra one but it does the job for me.

XiLong Heater: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Water-Heater-Fish-Tank-Adjustable-25-50-100-200-300-Pretty-Aquarium-Submersible-/261412637763

This one may seem like a sketchy buy but I honestly prefer it over the Hydor Original Theo. I use this for my 5 gallon and it keeps the temperature very very stable. Cheap as hell too.

Finally at work so I can give some links, lol

Here's a cheap sponge filter, I love these for bettas because they have a gentle flow and no mechanical intake for the betta to get sucked into. The bacteria will live in the sponges so make sure to never clean them with tap water or else you'll kill them! You'll also need an air pump and some airline tubing to get the filter going. I've used all of these and it's a pretty simple and cheap setup.

To actually measure the ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels, you'll need a test kit. I know some people and stores use strips, but they are hilariously inaccurate. You can have levels of 70+ ppm of nitrate (which is usually deadly) and the strips will tell you that you have 0 ppm. The liquid kit also lasts a lot longer! Your tank is cycled when ammonia is at 0 ppm, nitrites are at 0 pmm, and nitrates are at 0-20 ppm.

To make it easier to clean his tank, you can use a siphon. It sucks up the water for you, all you need is a bucket/tub to catch it in. Makes cleaning a lot less hectic!

Just a side note, Betta are actually tropical (and cold-blooded fish), so they need a heater. This is good for a 10 gal, it's what I use :) You can also get a glass or electronic thermometer to make sure the water is staying at the recommended 78-80 F. If you already have a water conditioner this is optional but Seachem Prime is what I use as it binds and neutralizes low levels of ammonia.

Here's the sub caresheet/wiki, and here's a guide to fish-in cycling (which basically just means cycling the tank with a fish already inside). I know this is a lot of info/expenses all at once but if you ever have any questions you're always free to PM me! I'm happy to help to the best of my ability. I'd recommend getting him a 5 gal or bigger ASAP, and with clean warm water his fins will be healing in no time :)

It sounds like Swim Bladder Disorder, which, while alarming to see, is actually not life threatening in most cases. He will most likely heal on his own in time, if you give him a good suitable environment for him.

I recommend Seachem Prime as a water conditioner, it's the board favourite around here and the good thing about it is that it converts ammonia (produced from fish waste and anything else decomposing in the tank, is toxic to fish) into a harmless form for 24 hours. Since you do not have the Nitrogen cycle established in your tank, this property will be very useful in keeping your fish comfortable while the cycle gets started.

If you don't know what it is yet, please read this article about the Nitrogen Cycle and then this guide to Fish-in Cycling. This is not optional information in fishkeeping!

By the way, those fake plants you have--bettas have very delicate fins that are easily torn on the typical plastic aquarium plant; here we have something that's referred to as the "pantyhose test", which is basically what it sounds like--stretch a pair of pantyhose over your fingers, and run it over any tank decorations you have. If the decorations snag the pantyhose, they are rough/sharp enough to tear a betta's fins. For this reason, silk fabric plants are recommended for betta tanks over plastic plants. Make sure any hides you have for him don't have any holes small enough that he'd get stuck (I learned this one the hard way), bettas are curious fish and like to stick their heads in everything.

I posted this list of affordable but good tank supplies for someone else yesterday, so here you go:

Here is a list of affordable supplies:

Aqueon Quietflow Filter, $14. I replaced the filter cartridges inside this unit with ceramic filter media (gives nitrifying good bacteria a place to grow for biological filtration) and Seachem Purigen (absorbs organic waste) along with a good chunk of filter floss (way cheaper than buying filter pads) to make it more effective, but it's not strictly necessary if you're on a budget.

Hydor Theo Submersible Glass Heater, $20. This is my favourite heater, I've set up five tanks so far using this model. It heats up well, holds the temperature steady automatically, and it's adjustable, so if you ever need to turn up the temperature (sometimes needed to treat illness), you're all set.

Seachem Prime, $5

API Master Testing Kit, $19. This is extremely helpful to have when setting up your tank, so you can test the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels in your water. All three are toxic to fish in high quantities, in order of most to least bad.

If your betta is sulky or a picky eater, you can try tempting him with freeze-dried bloodworms (but feed very little, as they expand when they get wet and are super fattening) or soaking his pellets in garlic juice.

Edit: Also, yeah, do not feed him "generic" fish pellets. Bettas are carnivores and need to be fed as such. I suggest Hikari Bio-Gold betta pellets.

It's very kind of you to not just let him die! If you get him spiffed up you may be able to find someone who likes fish to take him in, so you don't end up feeling burdened...

but in the meanwhile, there is some basic stuff you can do. If your measurements are correct, then he's probably in a 2 1/2 or 3 gallon aquarium, which while not the best, will certainly suffice. This means the main things you'll need are a filter and a heater.

It would also be nice if you got him some stuff to hide in, so he doesn't stress. They make aquarium decorations, but a clean, well rinsed ceramic coffee mug or unpainted terra cotta planter will do the trick for cheap.

By the way, can you post the name of the water conditioner that you found in the tube? It will help me be able to figure out if it's a dechlorinator or not, which is the most important thing.

Also, does the tank have a lid? Bettas will jump out of water, especially if the water quality is bad.

Anyway, there is plenty of inexpsensive, decent equipment for a tank that size:

I personally happen to like this filter for a tank that size, and it's very easy to install/maintain.

Here's a nice little heater that's worked very well for me. You'd want to maintain his water between 75 and 80 degrees, so it's always a good idea to have a thermometer to make sure the heater is doing its job properly.

From there, maintenance is pretty easy. Feed him just 3 or so of those little food pebbles a day, and once a week give him some of the bloodworms for variety. The main thing is to not overfeed, because they have very small tummies.

Once a week, change out about 25% of his water, and rinse out your filter pads with old aquarium water if they need it. They make little syphons especially for this, because the suction they create helps you vacuum poo out of the substrate.

Hello! It's good to see someone new to bettas doing their research ahead of time! Aquarium kits are kind of tricky: they seem nice since it's a all-in-one package, but since bettas can be rather delicate fish, the equipment that come with the kits tend to be too powerful.

I recommend checking your local pet store (if you're in the USA, PetCo and PetSmart are pretty common) and see if they have any individual fish tanks available on sale. For a filter, I recommend investing in a sponge filter + an air pump. These types of filters are very gentle, low flow, and quite effective for smaller setups like a 5-gallon. Also keep in mind that bettas live optimally in heated water. Since your setup is small, you have a couple options for heaters:

• Undergravel style
  
• Traditional tube style
  
  If you haven't purchased fish yet, read up on the nitrogen cycle and consider doing a "Fishless Cycle" to get your aquarium prepared for your betta.
  
  Good luck with everything!
  
  EDIT: Also, don't forget to pick up an aquarium thermometer! :)

Here's what you'll need:

• 5+ gallon tank with a lid. You can go for one of the nicer-looking (but more expensive ones) or just a plain ol' tank from any pet store. Lids are necessary because bettas are jumpy by nature.
  
  
• Heater. Bettas are tropical fish so you need something that can keep the water at around 78ºF. I'd really reccomend an adjustable one because A) you can do extra fine-tuning and B) you can bump the temperature up if you need to (if the room gets extra cold, or if your betta gets stick, etc). Here's what I use in my 5.5g.
  
  
• Thermometer. Nothing fancy, but you need something so you can know what the temperature is. Get an internal one instead of the ones that stick on the front of the glass (those aren't very accurate). Again, you can find them at any pet store for a couple bucks.
  
  
• Filter. Filters are a must because they house the bacteria that maintain a tank's cycle (preventing your fish from getting poisoned). I would reccomend either reading up on the nitrogen cycle yourself and teaching your friend or giving them a link to a guide, since if they've got the fish in a little container they probably know nothing about it. An air pump + sponge filter is a cheap way to do it but as long as you can get a filter that makes less of a current you're good. Bettas (especially ones with long heavy fins) don't like fast flowing water. I've got this one in my 5.5g. The fact that it's adjustable is super convenient.
  
  
• Substrate. Looks nice, add extra surface area for more bacteria to grow, A+. You can get either gravel or sand. If you want to go cheap, regular pool filter sand or black diamond blasting sand will get you a ton for a few bucks.
  
  
• Decor. Bettas appreciate densely planted/decorated tanks with lots of hiding places. Make sure anything you get isn't rough/sharp enough to snag panty hose, because that means it'll also tear betta fins. That means no coarse decorations, plastic plants, etc. Silk plants are popular, and mugs are an easy way to add a little cave.
  
  
• Gravel vac. When you're doing water changes you need a gravel vacuum to clean down in the gravel. I've found that this one is a great size for my 5.5g. Others I've tried pull out water too fast to get a good cleaning in before you've removed the water you need to. She'll probably need some container to put the water into as well. I just use a plastic 1-gallon pitcher for my 5.5.
  
  
• Test kit. Back to cycling, you need to have a test kit so you can know the pH, concentration of ammonia, concentration of nitrite, and concentration of nitrate in the tank. The API freshwater master test kit is far and away the most popular since it provides all four. Whatever you get, go for the liquid kits rather than the strips because strips aren't very accurate.
  
  
• Betta food, but she probably already has that. Although if she's got flakes it'd be a good idea to move her over to pellets, since flakes make the water a lot dirtier. Also I would reccomend you advise her on how much she should be feeding her betta. They're little piggies and will eat themselves sick if you let them, so people who don't research betta care are prone to overfeeding.
  
  
• Water conditioner. Water conditioner removes chlorine from tap water so fish can live in it. Oftentimes you'll see betta-specific water conditioner at stores, but this is just a scam that preys on folks who don't know better. It's overpriced, comes in tiny bottles, and is watered down. At 1/10 mL per gallon, a single bottle of Prime for instance is way cheaper and will last way longer. I'd reccomend you also get a 1mL syringe for easy dosing. Whenever I want one I pick one up from my school's chemistry stockroom for like 25 cents.

Hello! The tetra 3 gal is the best choice imo of the 3. If you don't want to go all out, then this hood and basic tank. Petsmart has small 5 lb bags of white or black sand if you don't want to do gravel and depending on what all you will have in you tank, I've found sand to be pretty easy to deal with when cleaning tanks. I'm a big fan of Hydor heaters and I've heard a lot of good reviews on Eheim too.

In all honesty, if you are able to go just a little bit bigger, I'd suggest a Fluval Spec V. I have 3 tanks and 2 of them are the Spec V's. They're sleek, have a nice pump that has not only adjustable flow, but has a directional nozzle, you can fit a Hydor heater next to the outtake tubing, and already has a light. If you get that with a heater, you can take a small bag of sand, the Sponge Bob pineapple home, some colorful silk plants, and a moss ball or two you'd be all set as a beginner and not have it take up much more room. If you do get a snail, perhaps your son would name it Gary? (the snail in Spongebob? haha not necessary but it is possible to have a vacuum to eat any leftovers the betta doesn't eat.)

Just remember that if you move a fish tank, you'll want to drain out some of the water to make moving easier as well as safer. I take it this will be pretty sudden so a fishless cycling won't really be a thing so please make sure to have betta water conditioner.

Good luck!

So you have a filter on a 6 gallon tank that's rated for 68 gallons per hour. This is great filtration (I use an eheim that's rates for over 120 gallons that's running on a 5.5 gallon tank here temporarily). However I myself found that i HAD to control the filter flow.

If you live near a PETCO they may have the Fluval sponges on clearance for 70.cents if not less. don't pay more than 2 bucks for one. I found out my Local petco had a a whole bunch of them on clearance for 70 cents so i picked up close to 30. lol

These sponges look nice, and work well. What you do is fit it over the outflow of the filter. if you get a couple you can cut them to your needs and even use one as an internal filter sponge if your filters design will permit it.

Bettas are used to being in still water. you want the water to have a very very gentle flow, it will look almost still. There's a good chance hes fighting the current and cant get up to the top to breathe regularly.

You mentioned your Nitrates at around a 5? i would prep some water (chlorinate it, maybe let it sit over night) and do a 50% water change, do this about twice a week until your filter is balanced and your tank is fully cycled. if you are seeing high nitrate levels you might be on the tail end of that cycle which is good.

As for clamped fins. Once the previous measures have been taken and your beta appears to be regaining health and vigor (give him a week or so) You can do "betta exercise" which is essentially putting a mirror in front of the tank for about 5-10 minutes once or twice a week. don't do it consecutively, so maybe Monday and Friday or something like that. This causes them to flare their fins and fan them out. preventing clamping and helping their muscles that they use for the fins get some strength. Just be sure to watch him and take it away after the 5-10 minute period. if he is in bad shape right now i would just do 5 minutes for a while and see how that works out.

That's about all i can give right now based on the info provided. Make sure the tank is not near a heavy sun window or an air vent.

Hang in there man and good luck. I know what its like to lose pets. Its a major let down and you feel like you failed. I've been there and im sure ill be there again at some point. I lost alot of dwarf shrimp in my early experiences, it will pay off once you figure out the nuances.

Best of luck and feel free to PM me if you need more help.

As someone that's gone thru the same scenario as you I'm going to give you some possible options you can take that will make things way easier on you. The initial investment may be on the higher side but it's the equivalent of a couple dinners and a movie for some high quality stuff that'll last a long time.

• You need 4 things for a happy Betta: A proper tank, a filter, a heater, and proper decorations.
  
  
• First, return that 1 gallon aquarium if possible. While Betta's don't need large tanks I'd recommend something at least 2.5+ gallons. The tank will stay cleaner longer and your fish will be more active.
  
  
• There are different quality aquariums. Look for something that's an all-in-one design (comes with filter and light) Personally I love Fluval, a company that sells all in one contained tanks that are high quality, run silent, and are well designed. For dorm life I'd recommend The Spec 3: https://www.amazon.com/Fluval-Spec-Aquarium-2-6-Gallon-Black/dp/B009K0ZKAQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1506546740&sr=8-5&keywords=fluval+spec
  If that's too much money this is also a good budget tank: https://www.amazon.com/Tetra-29095-Cube-Aquarium-3-Gallon/dp/B008CA7W7E/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1506546844&sr=1-5&keywords=aquarium+kit
  
  
• Buy a heater, any basic heater that can sustain a set temp is fine: https://www.amazon.com/Tetra-26447-Submersible-Aquarium-50-Watt/dp/B000OQO69Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1506547013&sr=1-2&keywords=tetra+heater
  
  
• Decorations: Bettas have long fins that tear easily on sharp plastic plants. Buy soft or rounded decorations and substrate.
  
  
• It's also highly suggested to buy any type of water conditioner to remove chlorine from tap water etc.: https://www.amazon.com/Tetra-16172-AquaSafe-8-45-oz/dp/B00068JW0A/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1506547213&sr=1-5&keywords=tetra+easy+balance
  
  
• Betta food is subjective, though I like Hikari's brand that comes in those clear packages with the maze looking thing to dispense food.
  
  

Good on you for taking the poor guy!

First, the spots don't really look like ich. Ich is more like the fish has salt grains sprinkled on them. The spots on the this guy look like either fungus or bacteria. Also, from the picture, it looks like he has some pretty bad fin rot and he's very pale.

I see an air pump, is it hooked up to anything in the tank? I don't see a filter, but you can use that air pump to set up a sponge filter.

The tank itself looks to be ok, although a very odd shape... I'm thinking it's probably 2.5-3 gallons which is alright for a betta (though 5 gallons is ideal)

Honestly, if there's no filter or bubble stone, I'd do a 100% water change, rinse the gravel really well to get any detritus out (judging by the state of the tank, I'm sure there's a lot...). Until you get a filter, you should do 50-75% changes every day. Look up fish-in cycling as well. I'm sure we have a link in our wiki. Scoop the little guy into a holding cup while you change the water, then slowly acclimate to the cleaner water. With his compromised immune system, too much stress may be a death sentence.

Like I said about the spots, it looks like a fungus or bacterial infection. Bacterial is more common and would fit with the MO of fin rot, so I'd start with that for treating. Any antibacterial would be good, but get him in clean water first.

Can you take a pic of the heater?

As far as buddies go, a single snail or a few shrimp would be fine with him. Nerite snails are one of my favorites. They eat all kinds of algae, lay eggs that don't hatch in freshwater, come in lots of colors, and stay relatively small. DO NOT do a mystery snail, they get huge and produce a lot of waste. Ghost or amano shrimp are good choices. Shrimp are much more sensitive to water quality though, so make sure you get the tank fixed before adding anything.

Finally, definitely get this test kit. You'll need it for cycling and is much more accurate and cost effective than strips.

Ha, love the name idea!

I'm not sure if you have read around and are aware of the proper care for a betta (if you have then ignore me) but if you haven't I'll go ahead and say a two gallon bowl isn't the best place for him, and is also another reason for the downvotes. He can live in it but he's not going to thrive. He does need a heater and a filter, if you have those then that is awesome, if not you can even get them as a broke college student.

If I can tell you one thing I'm positively sure of, there is always room for a fish tank. ;)

I'm just going to link you a cheap list of good stuff for little moneys:

Sponge Filter

Air Pump

Airline Tubing I bet you can find this in stores for less. Also less as an add on item.

Check Valve Most likely less at a store.

Heater, Heater 2 Costs a good bit more but I really love these.

Tank, Tank 2 There are many other options to look at.

If you go with the cheapest it will run you just about $58 with prime.

Hope the list gives you something to think about. If you've got any questions at all I'd be more than happy to answer them if I can.

Edit* Added a link.

So, I used to have the same filter that is in your picture. I was in denial that I would need to get a new one. I ignored every single sign that it sucked, I disregarded every bad review, I convinced myself it would work for me. It finally stopped working and I wish that I had ditched it sooner because I notice a difference in my tank with the sponge.

ANYWAY I ended up buying this one on Amazon. It is perfect! It hooks right up the air pump for the Tetra filter. Although, I did get a check valve thingy because the bubbles were a bit much for my 5.5 gallon, but now it is great and barely disturbs the surface. My fish even likes to sit on it and against it.

It did take awhile to get here, but I would definitely say it was worth the wait. I would order it immediately. One of the reasons I didn't was because I was put off by the wait time, but like that time passed and I still had a crappy filter at the end of it, so I should have just ordered it and had a nice filter at the end.

Edit:

As far as backgrounds go, I think a black one would be really nice. I got a cheap one from my LFS, the one that has blue on one side and black on the other. It sticks on really easy, I just rubbed some Crisco across the back of my tank and set the background on. Then I rubbed a credit card over it to get bubbles out. It's still stuck on there pretty solid and makes my tank look much more put together.

Last edit:
Your tank and your fish are very pretty! The green decorations would pop with a black background and so would your fish's gorgeous coloring. My fish is pink too and he looks so good in my tank against the background.

the fluval spec V is very popular, but also pretty expensive, you can also look around on craigslist for a nice 10g with a decent filter, heater and lid! A long tank is better than a high or round tank, since it has more horizontal swimming space (and it makes it easier for the betta to chill near the surface).

You can also get a bare glass tank and then shop for the rest. A sponge filter + air pump is great, a 25 or 50 V adjustable heater will do fine. Then all you need is a lid and maybe a light. If you live in the US, you might want to wait for the dollar per gallon sale to pick up a nice 10 or 20 gallon!

If you do want to get a kit, fluval, eheim usually have good systems. Be sure to always look up the filters and lights! The filter might be a little too strong for a betta, or the lights might be too weak for live plants (if you want them).

>What plants?

This is a good place to start. There are lots of good beginner plants that are hard to kill and don't need a lot of light or special requirements. Annubia, java fern and java moss are the sort of 'go to' beginner plants. Bettas also like shade, so maybe look into some floaters like amazon frogbit or salvinia (not sure I spelled that right). I also enjoy water sprite and cabomba (again not sure of spelling) for stuff to grow taller in the background.

>What substrate?

If you keep things simple, you won't need a special substrate. A lot of the beginner plants take in nutrients from the water column, so they don't need any special soils or substrate to grow. In fact, many of them don't need to be rooted down at all, you can just glue them to rocks to keep them in place.

>How should I plant them?

Taller plants toward the back. Do research on plants you intend to get, some do feed from the substrate primarily and might need root tabs for healthy growth.

>How long in advance to plant, how to cycle a tank?

So, plant them when you start up your tank. No need to cycle, just toss them in dechlorinated water.

As far as how to cycle, this is a decent guide for a fishless cycle. You're going to need a way to test your water through this, the best bet is an API master test kit. The best prices are online if you've got time to wait for shipping. A little pricier than the test strips, but they're more accurate and last way longer, so it makes up for the price.

>What filter?

Personally I use sponge filters, they're super gentle and have a stupid amount of room for your bacteria to grow. They're super cheap, I got 2 for less than 10 dollars (plus shipping), but they do need an air pump to run them. You'll also want some check valves and a way to restrict the air flow - they make little inlets that have flow valves to control the air for cheap.

Alternatively, I've heard great things about the aqua clear 20 filter. It's got an adjustable flow so you can slow it down to suit your tank, and does a better job than sponge filters for water clarity. Also pretty cheap, and you won't need to buy the air pump.

>What to do with empty tank?

Make it a shrimp tank!

Well, like you said, life is busy which is why appreciate your thoughtful replies. And is also why my own reply is so late!!

I just uploaded some new photos to an imgur link..to help portray some of the things I might refer back to as I go through this post: https://imgur.com/a/aXGPf.

As I am typing this I see an earlier suggestion of yours that addresses one of my photo's subjects. So due to the fish-in cycling stress of the tank it's normal for Christopher to be chilling mainly on the filter intake...upside down (for me it's the 3rd pic down, and he's bit opaque)?? He seems to swim normally and happily whenever he feels like it, and easily removes himself from the filter. A google search shows it may be okay behavior. I mean, if he wants that, I am totally fine with it, but I know I need to somehow slow the current of the filter to avoid too much more stress. I'm concerned more about a small bit of redness on the bottom of Christopher's belly/bottom fin. Elsewhere he looks fine, just a bit of new redness at the fin's tip. By, the way, I have say thank you again. By the time I got to doing the salt bath I mentioned earlier, to me he looked like a fish that wasn't going to make it. I was already looking at how to treat the tank if the betta died in it. But he is back to his old self, energetic, so I am pretty grateful. There's not way of telling, but I really think he might not still be here if I hadn't read through that link.

Thanks for suggesting the Polyfill, as you can see, my second, half-assed attempt at baffling isn't too effective. But at least the water is directed only to the tank's center, and not all over, so there's to move around it all. My first attempt where I carefully cut up the sponge was useless. Maybe since the water's not going straight down, Christopher Lee suddenly likes resting on the intake?

The first pic might seem random, but it is another new tank I am trying to fishless cycle. It's a Merineland 5 gallon portrait tank: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O8SZTKQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. It's highly rated and the pump/filter(?) strength is adjustable. So the first pic is this filter on the slowest adjustment, but it still looks strong to me, especially since the tank is deeper and the fish would have to swim up a bit to eat and breath.

I don't believe the filter on the first (Walmart) tank is adjustable, but someone else set it up and got rid of the box and instructions immediately after, and I had no clue what I was doing yet.

And the Amano Shrimp sounds like a good place to start. I never looked into what I wanted as tank companions beyond the tetras, which are Dwarf Emerald. I was never much of a fan of Plecos. I knew what they looked like, but not their name. They likely would not have been my choice when I got to the point of adding more tank pals. I'll definitely be doing much more research and referring back to this advice when I get to point of adding more companions.

By the way, do you have any quick, general suggestions for possible tank mates for a five gallon tank with just a betta?

Sounds like I will have to start googling live plants as an eventual goal as I already have a lot of "playing around" to do. Can I ask one lazy (and maybe silly) question though? Can a tank have a mixture of live and fake plants? Is there more attention and effort in maintaining live plants? Ok...I think I'm starting to get into the google questions.

I did water changes on both of my tanks this morning, and the filter on my first tank, the Walmart one, suddenly seems to have stopped working. It could be the cords, but will this affect the fish a lot if it takes a day or two to get a new filter? Any suggestions on a decent one on the lower end of price ranges? The heater seems to be working and the tank is at a good temp.

I apologize for my lazy formatting, especially with how wordy this response is! I only have short patches of time here and there to try to write anything, so this is pretty much get any sort of reply I can get sent at all.

What is your lazy betta's name? And what is(are) your setup(s) like, what kind of communities? Pics are cool!

A gentle filter, I find, is pretty much vital in any tank, whether it's 1.5 gallons or 20. Without one, you'll have to do water changes of much higher volume and far more often, and not only is it annoying for you, it can be more stressful for your betta to constantly have to be acclimated to new water. You can use a power filter and baffle it with something so it's not so harsh, but I recommend a sponge filter, they are gentler, quieter, easier, and a hell of a lot cheaper. I have a 4.5 gallon tank (Such a strange size, no?) and I use this with a tetra whisper air pump. I'm rather fond of the filter I have now, as it suctions to the tank wall and leaves more space for him to explore, and it's easier to clean the gravel. As for tankmates, it depends on the personality of your betta and what he works best with. Mystery snails are popular as they help keep the tank clean. Tetras and shrimp are also popular. You can only experiment. My guy works awesome with the snail in his tank, but others have had their snail mysteriously murdered. Experiment with it, see how he does.

He's a beauty! Good for you for seeking out help on providing for him. When bettas have big, warm, healthy environments they become very active and interesting fish. 5 gallons are generally the recommended minimum for bettas, and an ideal temperature is 78-80F / 25.5-26.5C. Lighting isn't really a big deal, but bettas really love swimming through dense live plants, so if you get some live plants you'll need some better lighting for the plants (I recommend anubias or java fern, easy beginner low-light plants.)

You will definitely need a filter, but in the meantime, make sure to do frequent water changes because ammonia builds up fast in a new tank that isn't cycled. You may have heard of something called "new tank syndrome" which means a tank hasn't established a nitrogen cycle, and there's no bacteria in the tank to eat ammonia. This will establish eventually, but if this is a brand new tank, you have to keep the water fresh and clean, otherwise he will poison himself with his own waste. I highly recommend Aquaclear hang-on filters although they might be a little big for a 5 gallon. Make sure filter intakes are always covered with sponges, bettas are slow swimmers with delicate fins that can be ripped off by filter intakes, and that filters are always on the lowest setting. Also, bettas can be jumpy - keep a lid on the tank if possible.

Also keep in mind bettas are carnivores, so make sure any food you get is made for bettas, or just get freeze dried bloodworms or brine shrimp. If you really want to spoil him, you can get frozen food to thaw out and feed him. Dehydrated and pelleted foods can sometimes cause bloating and constipation. Make sure you don't overfeed! Fish don't need to be fed every single day, and only need a little bit of food.

Keep an eye out for any changes in appearance and behavior, and don't be afraid to ask if you think something's wrong, there's a lot of common ailments that are treatable if you can catch and identify them soon enough.

Hi there! So here's the thing: betta can be pretty f-ing hardy fish even in the worst of conditions. They should be in a 5 gal or more with a low flow filter and heater and lots of plants and hiding spots. Do that, they will be so happy and pretty and healthy.

But i grew up watching my mother care of our family betta fish. We had 3 over the years and each lived for 3 ish years all dying because my mother would drop something on them, drop them, or poison them on accident. And she kept these boys in a 1 gallon tank with 1 hide or plant. Plastic plants of course (when they had them). She would use tap water for their weekly water change. No filter. No heater. Water anywhere from 60-67°. Those betta were not very active or happy, but they lived (somehow) for 3 years.

To anyone thinking I'm justifying that type of care: I am not! They are so much more enjoyable when they are happy and healthy in a 5 gal with a filter and heater. That being said, OP I believe your boy will be ok, just keep an eye on him.

As for good tanks I highly recommend the 5 gal portrait tank. Its $70 on Amazon but comes with a filter and light. Marineland ML90609 Portrait Aquarium Kit, 5-Gallon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O8SZTKQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_9Mi8tkRNTC8Fv

As for a heater I recommend one that has a temperature control so you can set it between 78-82°.

You might be having low oxygen issues with the water -- the filter should help by breaking that surface tension and getting things oxygenated. If this is the case, you should see improvement soon -- you might lower the water level in the meantime just to make it easier for him to come up for air.

The HOB is fine in the meanwhile, but if you want something simple that won't need to be baffled and provides a good surface for beneficial bacteria, I'd suggest picking up a sponge filter and a small external air pump like the Tetra Whisper 10. You can also make your own pretty easily: http://homeaquaria.com/diy-sponge-filter/

I like to stick an airstone inside mine, but thats totally optional.

They're perfect for your 20L tank and don't disturb bettas or hurt their fins, but still give nice filtration and gas exchange at the surface.

Hey there!
Since the tank will be placed on a book shelf, I'll just do a sponge filter (a small air pump won't take much space, I promise). It will not take much space inside the tank. I'm currently using this one in my 2.5 gal hospital tank and it works wonder. People are happy with the exact same one in their 5 gal as well but you can always use 2 if you'd like. Your snails will probably love the sponge filter since the sponge part can provide them delicious food and does not affect the current much, win win.

I bought a 8 gal long from a local store last week, it cost me 30 bucks, 5 gal long was 25. I'm (Canadian) in Korea atm. That being said, you can get a 5 gal for 20~30 bucks shipped to you. Petsmart has a 10gal for 15 bucks That being said, mine came with a lid, I don't know if yours will, but you can make a cheap wire mesh/plexi lid for ~5 bucks at home depot, I'm not a fan of glass lids since I'm a clutz.

Heaters will also run you about 20~30 dollars for a good one, but you can get them cheap for about 10 bucks or so. Adjustable ones are great because they shut off if it gets too hot in the summer.

Lights: don't think too much on it. You don't have to get one that fits perfectly, and you don't need a professional aquarium lamp from the get go. You can pick a reptile lamp for under 10 bucks if you get them on sale. Unless you're going for a planted tank you don't need to spend 60+ bucks on lights and you don't need Co2. Hell, a desk lamp suffices.

Filter: bettas love slow water, I'd get a sponge filter like drysider said. pump is about 10 bucks, filter is 10~30 bucks depending on brand. air pump example Sponge filter example

Looking at your original post...

The responses were valid advice, even if the tone may have been a bit condescending, but your responses were also very defensive and rude.


If you want to keep your water from being cloudy, upgrade to a tank with a filter. 1 gallon really isn't large enough for a betta, and they are tropical fish so should be in a heated tank.

You can pick up a pretty cheap kit that includes a light and filter.
Something like this looks nice, is adequately sized, and comes with a filter (although its not a GREAT filter, its certainly better than none) This little heater works well for a 3 gallon (which is what I linked earlier) and doesn't take up much room or look crappy in the tank.

A filter is not a cure all, you will still want to do partial water changes occasionally, and if youre having trouble with cloudy water, you may be over feeding. your fish's stomach is about the size of it's eye, it only needs 2-3 or those little betta pellets once a day, and if you want to keep 2 male bettas, you'll want to get something at least 5 gallons, and the divider should be something they cant see clearly though as it will stress them out. You can usually pick up a little 5 gallon glass tank at most pet stores for about $11, but you would need to get a filter, heater, etc seperately. Bettas are jumpers, so youd want to either leave about an inch unfilled at the top, or put some kind of lid on there.

This little filter works great for ~5 gallon tanks, and has adjustable flow. (bettas dont like a lot of current, so you wanna keep the flow on any filter pretty low for them)

Getting a siphon, or just a 2-3ft piece of fountain tubing (you can get it from any hardware store) makes partial water changes a million times easier as well. If you WANT to put forth the necessary effort to properly house and car for your fish, send me a PM and I may be able to help you out if you truly can't afford it. But if you TRULY don't have the time to screw with it, give them away to someone who does, and try again when your life situation is less stressful.

aquarium cycling is the buildup of bacteria that convert ammonia and nitrite (poisonous) into non toxic nitrate. The bacteria mainly live in your filter media that you do not have because you don't have a filter. The nitrogen cycle is the single most important part about fish keeping. Daily water changes can be stressful. Do you keep him in the tank while changing the water or cup him? Sponge filters are good filter because they have an adjustable flow, but any filter appropriately sized for your tank can be baffled (slowing rate of water output). Whatever filter you get remove any carbon and replace it with biomedia such as seachem matrix or ceramic rings. How many gallons is your tank? Bettas need at least 2.5 gallons but the bigger the better because it will help keep your parameters stable. Also test strips are not that accurate so I would highly suggest getting the liquid test kit. Here are the links for everything I recommend. I hope your guy starts healing soon! Fin rot's best treatment is clean warm water. Maybe lay off the medicines for now because they can be harsh on their organs.
http://fins.actwin.com/mirror/begin-cycling.html
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f12/fish-in-cycling-step-over-into-the-dark-side-176446.html
http://www.amazon.com/Jardin-Aquarium-Cylinder-Sponge-Filter/dp/B005LMQCW2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1425449975&sr=8-2&keywords=sponge+filter
http://www.amazon.com/Matrix-500-mL-7-1-oz/dp/B004PBD4J4/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1425449994&sr=8-4&keywords=biomedia
http://www.amazon.com/API-Freshwater-Master-Test-Kit/dp/B000255NCI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425450046&sr=8-1&keywords=api+liquid+test+kit

If it was me, I'd start by doing this:

• Upgrade his tank to something larger, at least 3 gallons, although something like 5 is more preferable. Despite the common misconception that bettas need a minuscule amount of space to swim around, they actually prefer larger areas. It's like keeping a horse exclusively in its stable. ...Except underwater.
  
  
• Invest in a filter (this filter requires a separate air pump but it's worth the extra cost) and a heater. Filtration and heating are necessities for bettas, and poor water quality is detrimental. Buying a water test kit will tell you everything you need to know about your fish's quality of water. If you can't afford the kit, your local fish store might be able to test the water for you if you bring a sample of it to them.
  
  
• Make sure your plastic plant is soft enough that it can't rip his fins. A good way to check is to run pantyhose over the plant, and if the pantyhose rips, the plastic is too hard. Live or silk plants are normally the way to go.
  
  I hope this helps! I know it can get a little pricey but it's more than worth it to ensure Flameo's healthy and happy.

I just wanted to say, it sucks that this responsibility was thrust upon you but you seem like a great person who is really trying to do the best for his betta!

I know you said you're low on money, but sometimes Petsmart or Petco will have a dollar per gallon sale so you can get a 5 gallon for $5 or 10 gallon for $10 (I actually only have a 3 gallon because I am a poor college student, but plan on upgrading as soon as I graduate).

I have a more expensive heater to keep the tank at a stable temperature but before that I used this one and a cheap thermometer.

Your betta will be ok! It seems that you are trying your best for him and bettas are more resilient than we think :)

Sounds like fin rot to me, but it's hard to tell without a picture. Treatment for fin rot involves adding aquarium salt (1 tsp/gallon) to his tank with 100% water changes every day.

Sponge filters are great (I have this one) because they are small, make little to no current, and make great places for beneficial bacteria to grow when cycling a tank. Which brings me to my next point:

In a 5.5 gallon tank, cycling is important. Here's a guide to fish-in cycling with bettas. Once it's cycled, you'll want to just do 50% water changes once a week. Don't ever rinse gravel because it kills your beneficial bacteria that work to eat up the ammonia and convert it to less harmful substances, which is what makes a cycled tank so great!

Also, real plants are AMAZING. They use the waste that bettas produce as food. There are several plants that are very low-maintenence and can make a world of difference in water quality of your tank. Plus, you can get them for really cheap online (I've had luck with ebay!).

Looking to buy my sons and I our first Betta fish. They are 9 and 3 and I think it is something that we can enjoy together while teaching them some responsibility and work ethic in the process. Not looking to spend an arm and a leg, but would like the nicest setup available for $100 or less (including filter system and heater). I've linked a couple of aquariums below, but feel free to steer me in the direction of some others and/or better deals/quality. We are limited on space, so I won't be able to do anything more than a 5g tank. I've never owned fish, so I'm a complete noob here. Any and all help is appreciated!!!

http://www.petsmart.com/fish/supplies/aquariums-and-stands/aquariums/elive-3-gallon-aquaponics-semi-circle-aquarium-kit-40418.html?cgid=300065

Tetra 29095 Cube Aquarium Kit, 3-Gallon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008CA7W7E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_s4p.ybQZFS8V8

Penn Plax Curved Corner Glass Aquarium Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0069RR2CC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_y5p.ybJPG54RG

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hawkeye-5-Gallon-Panaview-Aquarium-with-LED-Lighting-and-Power-Filter/55134441

I was hoping Ny bc I would've taken him from you and put him in my hospital tank.

A vase is not a tank and a filter is recommended bc a tank needs to be cycled.Cycling is when it can sustain the nitrogen cycle using bacteria that lives inside your tank and your filter. Having a suitable tank, gravel and filter allows the tank to provide a stable environment for your fish.

The setup I recommend is
a 5.5 gallon tank from your local petstore. Petsmart or petco usually has them. If you can get a bigger one then I would suggest that.

The filter i recommend is either an aqua clear hang on back filter like this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000260FVG/ref=twister_B00MO35VD2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
or a Im pretty fond of these filters also, http://www.amazon.com/Penn-Cascade-Internal-Filter-Aquariums/dp/B0002DJLEQ/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1450977072&sr=8-7&keywords=penn+plax
Get a filter that is rated for a tank 1-2 times the size of the tank you would purchase.

I can't recommend a low cost heater but I do recommend you get one and also a thermometer.

Pick up a bag of gravel and maybe a little decorative house also for your fish to hang around and swim in. Providing a stimulating environment for your fish will combat him being "lazy."

I also suggest you read up on the nitrogen cycle and pick up a test kit so the next time you have an issue with your fish, you can tell anyone what the ammonia, nitrate or nitrite levels are in the tank. You can find out what those are from reading about the nitrogen cycle. I suggest this http://www.amazon.com/API-Freshwater-Master-Test-Kit/dp/B000255NCI/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1450977370&sr=1-1&keywords=aquarium+test+kit

Read more about properly taking care of you betta and you will see less of these problems and have happier fish. Feel free to ask any questions

I never imagined that I would be a fish owner, but I have found myself with one, and I have a huge soft spot for all animals, so I can't stand to see them neglected so I want to provide the best home the little guy I can! Here is the list of what I've gotten so far. Let me know what you think and if I have made any mistakes!

Aquarium Rocks

He already has ~5lbs so I figure 10 lbs should cover a 5 gallon tank pretty well.

Betta Balls

Gravel Vacuum

Seachem Prime

Thermometer

Heater for 5 gallon tank

5 Gallon Tank

API Freshwater Test Kit

He already has a betta log, betta hammock, a small decorative plant, Tetra betta pellets, and some bloodworms for treats. Hopefully this covers all bases for little Zazoo! (Yes, my gf named him after the bird from the Lion King. Lol) If you have any other tips for a complete beginner, I'd love to hear them! Thank you for your suggestions!

I haven't seen anyone give an extensive, quick, and friendly guide so here's a quick one!

You're going to need a 5.5 gallon in order for him to thrive, otherwise you're gonna have a very unhappy fish who might live but will not be doing good. An aquarium is a tiny ecosystem in an enclosed space, so a .5 gallon gets very toxic, very quickly. It'll hurt his gills, it'll hurt his fins, just everything. The ammonia will buildup quickly and reach very dangerous levels, and although 100% water changes will decrease that, an established bacteria colony (made up of harmless ones) needs to be there for the fish to really be healthy!

When you see a happy and healthy betta, you will never want to go back!

Cheap quick solution for now: Five gallon Rubbermaid from Walmart, this filter, paired with this air pump, and this connector tube. It will run you about $20, and can hold for a while!

Long Term: Buy a 5.5 standalone aquarium tank from Petsmart (only $14.99) and a little pack of gravel, and some live plants of your choice! Check our r/aquaswap for some cheap plants from other Reddit users. Just move over the filter and heater, and you have the perfect set up! There are also some cheap lighting solutions that you can buy to help your plants grow!

Everyone gets tricked in the beginning, but making steps towards helping your betta will enhance his life so much! The whole set up, the filter/air pump/tubing and tank from petsmart, will cost you $27.48 since you've already got the heater!

If your heater is too small, I've got the link to a $6 one (which is $10 less than the cheapest at any pet store I've been to) on amazon that works perfectly and is recommended all the time on this sub.

I'm getting him this for his birthday :) Along with some tankmate friends. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!

Also if someone know where to order live plants or decorations for a good price I'd greatly appreciate the links :)

Hannibal is my first fish ever, so I want the best for my little fighter!

Might be worth mentioning sponge filters. Tetra Whisper air pumps on Amazon run about 7 bucks and the sponge filter itself will run you all of 3 bucks and you don't have to worry about replacing cartridges or anything so that's really nice and easy for beginners!

I would recommend Seachem Stability, too! Great way to help a tank get cycled faster which is a great thing when you're fish-in cycling.

Best advice is to take your time and buy what will make you happy. You'll only spend more money in the long run if you compromise now. Luckily, not everything needs bought at once. Tank, filter, and heater are necessary purchases now. Lighting and decor can be figured out more slowly.

I can recommend what I'd get in your position.

If you're going to buy a kit, this is a good one. Personally, I like this heater, but they do sell a cheaper version. So, about $100 for the tank, heater, filter, and light.

If you want to buy the parts separately, you can get a 10 gallon tank for $10-$15 or cheaper checking craigslist. You'll also need some kind of lid to cover the tank. You can buy glass ones or some people get a piece of glass or acrylic cut to cover it. Tank + lid: $25-$30

Aquaclears are my favorite filters for my tanks, but you could use a sponge filter. You'd need an air pump for the sponge one. So, $20-$25 for a filter.

Real plants are nice, but not necessary. You can do fine with fake ones, just make sure the edges aren't sharp. If you do want plants, the Spec V light should be plenty for low light plants. If you want to buy the light separately, this or this would be fine. I've had a Nicrew one on my larger tank before and it's enough for low light plants.

Or you could just get a clamp on lamp from the store and a daylight bulb. That whole set up would be about $10.

Until you get a new set up, I would recommend water changes at least once a day, if not more. I would also strongly recommend buying a water testing kit.

My co-worker bought a betta for the office, and he's currently in a little .7 gallon plastic tank with one little plastic plant. I think he needs a better environment, so I am working on a shopping list based on research.

The tank needs to have a small footprint, and I want something that will be low-maintenance. (Not my fish! But I am willing to help keep Swatch happy and healthy)

I am looking at the Marineland Portrait Glass 5 Gallon - 5 seems quite large for the space, but I don't know if he would be as well off in a 2.5 or 3. (I like the 3 gallon Tetra cube, but it seems to be out of stock everywhere.)

Is this a good tank? I think I will also need a heater for winter, just in case.

I would like to get Swatch some little moss ball and an Anacharis plant or Java Fern. Is 5 gallons enough for a betta and a live plant? (Would 3 be enough for one fish and a live plant?)

At 5 gallons, is that enough for a tankmate (neon tetras? Ghost shrimp?) or should I let him live solo?

Also, I find the little suction-cup hammocks hilarious, so I plant to get one of those. And maybe a floating log.

So:
3 or 5 gallon tank
live plant
toys
tetras?

Does that sound like a good starting setup?

Yayyyyy that's my tank! You'll love it. Here's the heater I use in it. It's great. Looks nice, easy to read and adjust, works like a charm, just stick it in the back corner and go.

Are you getting him snails or shrimp? Hopefully he doesn't live up to his name...

Honestly I wouldn't bother with a kit. They are usually not that great.

Get a 5 or 10 gallon tank from wherever, walmart, petco, etc. 5-10 gallon tanks don't get much better unless you want to go with a high dollar tank with built in filters etc. You do want a hood. A clear glass hood is best as you can grow plants if you want later. If it fits your budget and you have room, a 20 Long is an amazing assed tank. Petco/Petsmart sells them for $34.

Next, get an Aquaclear 20 . They are perfect for a 5-20 gallon tank and won't be too much for your betta. you can adjust the flow rate so it will work. Aquaclear is the best I've used as it's dead silent and most importantly uses real bio media. You don't need to buy stupid expensive disposable filters. Disposable filters are horrible as you throw away most of your beneficial bacteria when you change cartridges. Aquaclear has a rinsable sponge which should be able to be used for a decade.

You'll need a heater. Get one that matches the size of tank.

I highly recommend doing a planted tank. It adds a lot to the tank and your fish will like the plants. I suggest doing a dirt capped tank. Look at this. Don't worry about "mineralizing" if you hear people talk about this as it's pointless IMO. If you do this method, be sure to get some frogbit or water spangles (check /r/AquaSwap ) to keep water parameters in effect. Frogbit eats extra nutrients, without this algae can be a problem. I capped my dirt with black diamond blasting sand (available at Tractor Supply), but pool filter sand (well rinsed) works great too. A Walstad type tank makes plants thrive, and the soil releases a little bit of tannins which bettas love. The tannins aren't extreme, you'll not notice them as far as water clarity goes.

EDIT: Thought I'd add, the next tank I do will be a HMF (Hamburg Mattenfilter). They are very elegant in their simplicity and not even possible to harm a fish with. You can hide heaters in the filter chamber, a corner HMF basically disappears, plus I'll grow plants in front of it so it will be practically invisible.

You won't need to change it ever, just clean it/rinse it with used (non-chlorinated!) tank water while you're doing tank maintenance every so often. (I clean my betta's sponge filter real good once or twice a month by giving it a few good squeezes in a bucket of used water before I throw it out.)

Basically you'll want a small air pump like this along with a tank-size appropriate sponge filter. I recommend one like this *and some airline tubing to connect them :)

It doesn't HAVE to be 5 gallons, that is best though. I use a couple of 3.7 gallon tanks with built in 3 stage filters. Sleek and compact but I keep up on weekly water changes to keep my boys as healthy as possible until I get my 33 gallon tank divided and cycled. I'll try to find a link for the tank. If you do end up getting one, a very specific heater tucks away in the last compartment of the 3 stage filter and I'll link that, too. Be back in a minute.

Tank Toss the carbon filter. It isn't needed unless you're trying to pull specific things out of the water and once carbon's done it's job it can leech bad stuff back into the water.

Heater Small, adjustable, submersible and inexpensive. I have 3 and they all work great.

Digital Thermometer This is the easiest way to monitor the water temperature.

If you do get this tank, I will mail you a little round sponge filter which slips over the plastic outlet and gives the fish a nice soft little bed out of the current. You can see it in the picture on the back left of my tank.

A single Nerite snail will keep algae in check and give the betta a buddy. My bettas just flair at the snails if they encroach their bubble nest areas. Snails only come after there's algae to eat so, you wouldn't get one right away.

Some other supplies you will want to consider are, Seachem Prime, API Freshwater test kit and some 5 mil droppers but I get those for free and the pharmacy counter in my grocery store.

As stated in title, Fishy is the newest member of our household.

My first instinct was to read up on bettas and in doing so, found this subreddit.

I have several doubts, such as:

• what kind of betta is this?
  
  
• Is it healthy? (Ive seen more vibrant colors on pics posted here)
  
  
• Can/Should I pair it with other fish?
  
  
• Are pellets preferred over flakes?
  
  As per suggestions on this sub, I think buying a bigger tank is my number 1 priority; im currently looking into a Tetra Tank (3 Gallons), this one is favored by my wife, as she finds its aesthetically pleasing (and I agree). However, most people suggest a 5 Gallon tank, so Im also looking into a GloFish Tank, we both dislike the blue led on this model and the black plastic lid it comes with.
  
  In any case, we're also looking to buy the following:
  
  
• heater
  
  
• Thermometer
  
  
• Silk plant
  
  
• Log/Hiding spot
  
  
• Filter * which we think we would only buy if we get the Tetra Tank, as per amazon commenters suggestions.
  
  We already have a net (for scooping), drops to dechlorinate water, aquarium salt (for cleaning) and what you see already in the tank.
  
  Please help us give this fish an awesome life!
  
  PS.: We are not in the US, if it even matters.

Bettas really shouldn't be kept in bowls. There is no filtration so they are being poisoned by their poop. There isn't enough water so they cant swim and their waste is more toxic quicker. They are also tropical fish and should have a heater to keep the water around 78F.

I know you are on a budget but I STRONGLY recommend getting a much larger tank. Right now Petco is having a $ per gallon sale so you should pick up a 10 gallon tank (I don't think the 5 gallon qualifies) for $10. Get a good heater (The one thing you shouldn't skimp on...don't want any cooked fish) Also pick up a sponge filter like this and a cheap air pump. If you want some cheap lighting you could do desk lamps with normal light bulbs. This pretty much covers the essentials of what you need to buy. On a side note though if you buy any plants don't buy plastic as they will rip your bettas fins to shreds insted pick up some silk plants.

Also I would recommend reading up on some basic betta care and this quick overview Also read up on the nitrogen cycle and some general information

Sorry if this is a lot of links but heres a lot of tanks i found for a good price,Do you think these are good and which one(s) would be the best.Heres the links (Most of the tops ones are from chewy.com rest are from amazon.com and petsmart/pet.co

1. https://www.chewy.com/aqueon-led-neoglow-aquarium-starter/dp/184971
   
   
2. https://www.chewy.com/marineland-contour-rail-light/dp/192853
   
   
3. https://www.chewy.com/aqueon-led-neoglow-aquarium-starter/dp/184969
   
   
4. https://www.chewy.com/aqueon-led-neoglow-aquarium-starter/dp/184971
   
   
5. https://www.amazon.com/Marineland-ML90609-Portrait-Aquarium-5-Gallon/dp/B00O8SZTKQ/ref=pd_sbs_199_5/145-3104720-5242664?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00O8SZTKQ&pd_rd_r=0f454631-940a-44bf-949b-2525ce0827ad&pd_rd_w=lQ50Z&pd_rd_wg=U2f3q&pf_rd_p=52b7592c-2dc9-4ac6-84d4-4bda6360045e&pf_rd_r=7850RYZ9WMZEJ2FHDZM4&psc=1&refRID=7850RYZ9WMZEJ2FHDZM4
   
   
6. https://www.amazon.com/Lifegard-Aquatics-Full-View-Aquarium-Gallons/dp/B0759P8WF7/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_img_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Z9NY9YD9FNR6QPV97XER
   
   I will also look at my locally-owned pet store and see how many aquariums they sell there. Anyways i hope this is not too much!

3/12/15 Update!

http://imgur.com/a82EFp5

I got a brand new filter, the aqueon quietflow internal filter

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AWV4R8I/ref=sr_ph?ie=UTF8&qid=1426184823&sr=1&keywords=aqueon+quietflow+10

Put it in my tank, did a 50% water change, and waited about half an hour and my tank is absolutely crystal clear! I'm so happy I decided to take your advice and get a filter. I'm sure there will be tough days ahead, but for now I'm celebrating a small victory.

The shrimp are being mischievous as usual, and my betta is currently exploring his new/old tank. (I moved some stuff around).

My only real complaint right now is the plants don't really hide the stuff as much as I had hoped, but I can always move the stuff around later on.

Oh, I also added a tiny bit (Half a cap) of Bacteria.

Anything else I should do in the meantime?

Thanks for any and all help!

You're welcome. This is the exact one, but I think I grabbed it on sale for about $50 from Amazon a little over a year ago.

Marineland ML90609 Portrait Aquarium Kit, 5-Gallon w/ Hidden Filter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O8SZTKQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_.4TbBb4BS0E30

Our son was gifted a Betta in a small plastic 0.5 gallon tank, and he was looking pretty bad. I got thid for him, got some black sand for the substrate which I LOVE, but it is a little bit of a pain when cleaning the tank, it can get everywhere. I pour new water with a large drink cup from a movie theater into the back filter chamber to prevent sand clouds. This is my favorite tank of the 3 we have, because it just looks really elegant and sleek. The LED has also kept Java Moss and an marimo moss ball alive for just about a year. I tried duckweed but it didn't live. I am goi g to try moving a small cutting of an Anubias to this tank too, we will see how it does.

So biomax stuff is your biological media stick some in the filter this is normally where they’d be I do have some scattered through the gravel. Just more surface for bacteria but your main source would be the filter. Never water change and clean filter on same day.

Nitro cycle
Is 0ppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrite and between 5/10ppm nitrate. If no ammonia and nitrite in tank, this is sign of established cycled tank. If present not established. You can buy bacteria in a bottle these days which helps.

I’ve also got a betta and in the beginning worried about flow myself. Fluval makes a pretty good sponge for this type of thing. It worked a treat. :)
Fluval Edge Prefilter Sponge https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002LL32RY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Tried to find that light, but maybe because it's not on the Canadian website. I did however find one similar that's led, it seems like most lights wouldn't be compatible with mine. Do most people have a clear top?

Edit: Maybe a Fluorescent Hood would be the better buy? Thanks for information


https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0191EWII2/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_y.VVzb13P5P84

Necessities

api liquid test kit

sponge filter

airline tubing for sponge filter

air pump for sponge filter

thermometer

fluval spec v kit. Comes with filter, decent light that can grow some lowlight plants, idk what else but I hear it's pretty good, I would look around on other sites to find it cheaper

dechlorinator if you don't already have it

heater, I happen to live somewhere where the temperature of my tank floats right in the bettas range, but if this isn't the case for you then you'll need a heater

You'll need something for a lid, can't find anything on amazon but you have a few options: going to a petstore and looking for a 5 gallon lid, going to other websites to look, or making a DIY lid, which can be done with greenhouse panels, or even wood if you don't mind cutting.

Substrate is optional, but if you want it you can either get pool filter sand, which you can find at your local Home Depot or lowes (assuming you're in the US), you'll have to rinse it first but it's really cheap, $8 for 50lb which is more than enough.

I would buy the tank in person at a store or on some site like Craigslist where you can find used tanks for cheap

Also, don't forget to cycle your tank, if you don't know what that is I would do some research on it, it's possibly the most important thing in keeping any aquatic creature

Off the top of my head, will continue to edit to add stuff

I have the first tank you posted, it works great! And also, you should consider putting some dwarf frogs in there (maximum two) but probably not any fish. You would need a bigger tank to add some fish!

here's a good tank heater:
http://www.amazon.com/Hydor-7-5w-Heater-Bettas-Bowls/dp/B006JVQ67K

you're also going to need a filter, even if the people at petco say you don't.

http://www.amazon.com/Tetra-25846-Whisper-BioScrubber-3-Gallon/dp/B000HHQ712/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1426271069&sr=1-1&keywords=1-3+gallon+filter

I got rid of the under gravel "filter" that came with the tank and installed this one instead, leaving out that stupid plastic tube that came with the tank.

With all of these resources you should have a super healthy happy betta!

O wow! That is amazing! I hope mine looks half as good as yours lol. In response to the cuttlebone and catappa leaf in the filter, I didn't realize you could add things inside the sponge filters. I'll post a link to the kind of sponge filter I decided on. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0056XVF82/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I2JDO6NECWVBL2&colid=OAA927L82TRN

Tank: I would suggest a 10G tank if you want tankmates other than ghost shrimps and snails. Petco $1 per Gallon sale is here until April 12. So a 10G would be $10. A 5G isn't part of the sale so the price of that is around $14. Cheaper to get a 10G!

Once of you an appropriate sized tank, some tetras would work or an ADF would work. What kind of tetras are you thinking of getting? Keep in mind that there are quite a few tetras that won't work with Bettas because they nip the long fins of the Betta.



Filter: I would suggest a sponge filter/air pump. That's what I use in my betta tank. It filters the water but don't create a current so the betta won't get pushed around and stressed.

What you'd need for a sponge filter:

• Sponge filter
  
  
• Air pump
  
  
• [Airline tubing] (http://www.amazon.com/Lees-Airline-Tubing-25-Foot-Standard/dp/B0002APXOQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1396795175&sr=8-2&keywords=airline+tubing)
  
  
  
  Heater: I haven't used enough heaters to really recommend a brand but adjustable ones would work the best and you can control the temperature better.
  
  I hope this helps!
  

I used these prefilters on my Spec tanks, and actually had to turn the pump to a higher setting. They slide on perfectly and no modifications were necessary.

Yes the koi was a great find, luckily my LFS hand picks there bettas from breeders. Most are show quality and very unique, hence me owning four aquariums!

That’s really unfortunate:( I hope he recovers. If you’re in the market for a new filter now, I definitely recommend a sponge filter, something like this. They’re probably the lowest-risk filter types and are often used for breeding delicate fish fry. I’ve seen plenty of people get away with using normal filter gear with bettas, but horror stories like yours have convinced me it’s the safest option for my boys.

Best of luck to you and your Betta. Don’t feel too bad - it’s not your fault that crazy shit like this happens sometimes. I hope he pulls through.

He's been in the tank for about a week. He eats well (mostly Hikari pellets, but also Betta Bug Bites) and has been getting more active with the lights on/off cycle and the same few people filtering in and out. He showed interest in the new thermometer I put in tonight and has stopped hiding every time I open the lid. (Probably because it usually means food time!)

I cycled the tank for about a week before adding him in. I did get the API Kit and my levels were good--0/0/0-5 and my pH is 7.4. I tested again tonight and have maintained the same levels.

I didn't rinse the substrate , as it said to add it directly and then water. I treated my water with the appropriate amount of conditioner that came with the tank kit. (I've ordered Seachem Prime for the water change and beyond.) I planted my plants (Not sure what I have, honestly) and left it to cycle. I dropped in an Aqueon Pure bio ball as well. I added Flourish tabs in two places after a few days when they arrived. I've also since added a moss ball.

This is my gravel vacuum. I also have a general tank kit (net, rake, etc) and a plant kit. I plan to stock Seachem Stability and Seachem Stress Guard. I ended up with a bottle of Tetra Safestart Plus because I thought I would need it, but haven't.

I'm so nervous! The last time I had a betta, my only knowledge was to take him out of the cube, put in fresh water, treat it, and dump him back in. I want to be a good fish mom!

Ditto with the craigslist idea. Also, you should try to get at least 3 gallons for him. A 5 gallon tank takes up less space than you'd think. You will need a heater (betta's like warm temperatures above 80) and a small filter. They aren't a huge fan of current, so get something with a low flow or you can add things to lower the flow by doing something like this.

Make sure any decorations you get are either silk plants or soft, they can easily tear their fins. You will also need water conditioner to make the tap water safe. Prime is the best out there. It's a little expensive, but goes far.

Here is a 3 gallon tank for under $30 that comes with a filter.

Another one.

Aaaand another. With this one, just don't put the divider in so he will have 2.5 gallons.

Once again, obviously bigger is better, but you are in a dorm so don't worry about it :)

Also you might want to upgrade if the tank is 1 gallon or less. A lot of people say 5 gallon is minimum, but I’ve had a lot of success with a three gallon tank with live plants and a snail.

While I highly suggest this tank, I think a lot of petsmarts have tanks in similar sizes with filters for a better price.
I would suggest that you also buy some Anubis nana to add to the tank, and possibly checking nearby ponds for duckweed you can heavily rinse and add to your tank.
Tetra LED Cube Shaped 3 Gallon Aquarium with Pedestal Base https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008CA7W7E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_0BjMAbE8KWRGP

I also have a certain type of plant I bought on sale that seems to grow like a weed, but it doesn’t have a shortened name so I’ll need to look it up

edit It’s a Bacopa, not sure on the full name but it’s the species petsmart sells.
It was in my tank for 4 months and grew from being little over an inch to five inches long

I highly would recommend the substrate. It harbors so much of the beneficial bacteria that it’s even recommended if you wanna change it out in the future you do very little at a time due to you crashing your cycle! Also if you plan having plants the roots grab on to the pebbles or sand or whatever you choose.

As a beginner with plants I would say start with anacharis. They are cheap and all they need is an additional light. This is the one I got for them and it’s more than enough! Give them time because when you buy them ($3 at petco) and out them in your tank they try to acclimate and look they are dead but aren’t really. This is the light And these are the anacharis it doesn’t need anything additional such as CO2 or blah as others do. Also moss balls are nice to have to entertain your betta. They like laying on them and are good little filter plants

I use a Tetra Whisper 10-Gallon air pump, with one check valve to prevent back flow, going into a 4-way gang valve, hooked up to three mini cyclinder sponge filters. The 4th output on the gang valve is closed.

I have 3x bowls. Two are 3gal, the other is 2gal (for now).

You could use a setup like this, with the gang valve only outputting to your tank, mostly closed to keep the pressure low. If necesarry you could open up one of the empty outputs on the gang valve to bleed off excess pressure, but I don't know if that's necessary, and it might make more noise that way. With my setup, I can barely hear the air pump, and the gentle bubbling in the bowls is nice.

It's a really great setup if you plan on getting more fish, in seperate bowls/tanks.

I always keep 2 different thermometers in each of my tanks... Helps me make sure the temperature is right, cause thermometers malfunction, just like heaters do and I don't like to take any chances. 1 digital like these:
Aquaneat Aquarium Digital Thermometer 3 PCS Fish Tank Water Terrarium Reptile Free Extra Batteries https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B077FNKM6F/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_VUOWCb37BWCGD
And 1 regular one like these:
Marina Floating Thermometer with Suction Cup https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0002AQITK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_8YOWCbH981P2D

Aquarium salts can help with fin rot. Macaryn Two is also a good choice. Be careful with aquarium salts though. Don't dose every time you do a water change like normal medication.

Also, I second the sponge filters. You can get one for a 10g one (which I'd recommend because the more filtration, the better) for like $5 on amazon. Plus you'd need an air pump which are also relatively cheap.

-Sponge Filter

-Air Pump

I’ve really never liked buying kits and I always have bad luck with them — you almost always get stuck with shitty tanks, heaters & filters while paying way more than what they’re worth. Most cheapy HOBs also don’t provide any real biological filter media either — just charcoal (which is useless & potentially harmful over time) and filter floss that they want you to buy replacements for.

If I were you, I’d invest in a 10g tank (14 usd at petco & 10 usd during the dollar per gallon sale), this heater or a similarly priced one, and a cheap sponge filter like this. Same cost for a bigger, better tank with a reliable filtrarion that you won’t have to suppress the flow on. You can also go with a 5g, but that’s a minimum and if she’s an active fish, she’ll definitely appreciate the 10g. it’ll also be easier for you as a new fishkeeper to keep the water parameters steady in a larger tank.

You may need to buy a light or lid, but you do have the option of buying a light that will grow plants or the cheapest LED you can find.

Did you know Amazon will donate a portion of every purchase if you shop by going to smile.amazon.com instead? Over $50,000,000 has been raised for charity - all you need to do is change the URL!

Here are your smile-ified links:

Basic model, very little flow that mostly goes up.

Double spongy action, with an outlet that can be placed above the waterlevel (even less flow!).

Corner filter, has more room for other types of filtermedia, a bit harder to clean depending on what you stuff it with. Has a cute little outlet that prevents our idiots from getting stuck.

I really like this one, it's quiet and comes with a valve

tubing

valve

---

^^i'm ^^a ^^friendly bot

Look, /u/piratesaurus is giving you good advice but IMO it's not the easiest way to introduce your friend to good fish keeping. For starters, everything for larger tanks is more expensive. The tank, the heater, the filter, the dividers...all more expensive. That's like a $100 setup. Another problem is that she'll have to learn all about the nitrogen cycle, so that's another big chemical concept. You want the easiest way to make these guys happier and spend an infinitely less amount of money? Here.

Two Med/large KritterKeepers - plastic, less expensive than glass, small, and no hassle doing an arts and crafts project for the divider and worrying about one fish jumping over it. Also comes with a lid, which actually is very important since some bettas are real jumpers. You just don't know which ones are jumpers and it's better to have a lid. Mine never jumps. Other people, their betta always did it and jumped and died the 1 time they forgot the lid.

Two small heaters - stick them in and plug them in.

Water conditioner - Prime is cheap and concentrated. 2 drops per gal

Gravel - not needed if you want the bare minimum

Silk plants from a craft store - way less expensive than pet store plants and almost always made of soft fabric, not hard plastic which can tear fins. Just cut off what you need. Bettas like to float on the surface.

2 thermometers - temp should be around 78

Pellets - NLS (for betta or small fish) or Omega one (for betta)

There you go. No filter for this cause it's so small. Do 100% change once a week. Feed 3 pellets 2x a day.

Buy tank separately, filters, heaters, and lights that come with tanks tend to be low quality so buy separately. I'd say go with 10 gallon for two reasons.

1. A 10 gallon is $15 while a 5 gallon is $13. Two dollars for 5 more gallons seems worth it to me and if petco is doing a $1 dollar per gallon sale than the 10g tank becomes $10.
   
   
2. You could also add other fish in the 10g like a small school of neon tetras, a couple of guppies and or mollies. A 5 gallon is too small for any other fish because most other fishes small enough to live in a 5g like space to move around so they won't be comfortable.
   
   I buy all my supplies on amazon cause i have prime and it's cheaper, i'm a college student so cheapness is everything. This is a good cheap filter and this is a good heater i also recommend a digital thermostat cause it's easier to read the temp rather than squinting your eyes to see the tab thermostats.

I know this might sound like bum advice but what about a nice sized plastic container? Here is a 16 gallon one for 6 dollars. It'd be ugly but hey it's better than a vase. For filter and heater though that's a bit more difficult.

I suggest this for how cheap it is and it does a fine job (if not a little strong).

For a heater this one works okay. You have to keep an eye on it but it's also cheap and I have some that have lasted me a great while.

I linked an item that might work to dampen the return flow. Most filters will work for a Betta but you might need to modify it accordingly for their needs. Heck, you could also make this yourself using zip ties and a sponge.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002LL32RY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

​

Good on you for having done your research! It breaks my heart to hear a pet store employee recommending going without.

Sand is pretty easy tbh. You shouldn’t have to worry about it blowing around, a betta tank shouldn’t have that strong of a flow. Sponge filter is the easiest option. If you want a HOB filter, put foam around the intake for a [mechanical prefilter and betta fin guard](LTWHOME Pre-Filter Sponge/Foam Set For Fluval Edge Aquarium (Pack Of 12) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J5Z44OE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_aIsNBbGW56V4D)
Just get a HOB rated at 10g or less and that has adjustable flow so you can turn it down. [Aquaclear](Aqua Clear 20 Power Filter - 110 V, UL Listed (Includes AquaClear 20 Carbon, AquaClear 20 Foam & AquaClear 20 BioMax) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000260FVG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_RKsNBbY81XP7A) and [Azoo Mignon 150 or 360](Azoo Mignon Filter 360 Aquarium Power Filter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LLJ8OFW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_BOsNBbVM2B6ZN)

Some bettas do fine with a filter like that and some don't. I have a sponge filter in my betta tanks, but previously used a Top Fin Power 10 (the recalled one actually) in a 10 for a different betta than the ones that I have now, and he didnt seem to mind it at all.

50 Watt ViaAqua. The price is right and I have had 0 issues. Adjustable and submersible.

I got all 3 of mine at PetSmart. Fish are delivered on Fridays, so that would probably be the best bet for getting a healthy one. Less time in the cup often helps, and they are sent in heavily treated water for stress and illness (although admittedly, it does in fact happen) If you have a LFS that is not a chain, that might be worth checking out.

Hey, the main thing is you're taking steps to fix it! :)

In terms of treating your water, seachem prime is pretty much the industry standard and does far more than most water conditioners. You can get a small bottle that'll last a small tank for close to a year for about $4 on Amazon. An aquarium thermometer would be good just because water temp can vary greatly depending on where the tank sits (i.e. if there's a draft or air vent nearby, or a window getting sun, etc.) You can also get these pretty darn cheap on amazon.

Hey there! I want to stay posted on this situation. Everyone else who has replied to your post has exhausted their good advice, however, I wanted to just share this with you!

Marineland ML90609 Portrait Aquarium Kit, 5-Gallon w/ Hidden Filter

If you happen to have 10 square inches of surface to spare, this tank could be a great investment for you! It’s dimensions are 9.5x9.5x16.

Christmas is coming up. Maybe someone in the family could help chip in??

I feel your pain. I have a 3 gallon nano tank and it took FOREVER to find a filter that won't be too strong for my betta. Finally I found a good one: Mignon 60.

There's a little nob on the intake that will allow you to adjust the flow. In a 5.5 gallon it should be perfect.

If even at the lowest setting you think is too strong, you can also take the black rectangle sponge and put it on the outflow (see the instructions here. I had to do this because my tank is only 3 gallon. But in your 5 gallon I think just the intake nob adjustment will be enough.

Good luck!

I've had the [3-gallon version of this aquarium](http://www.amazon.com/Marineland-Eclipse-Seamless-Integrated-Aquarium/dp/B0002Z7VRS/ref=cm_cr-mr-title
) for almost five years. Started with feeder goldfish because I didn't know any better... they didn't do too well. But it was a testament to the filter that they lived as long as they did.

Now I've got one betta in there and it's super low maintenance. It comes with a charcoal/mechanical filter plus a biowheel as a biological filter.

I did end up sealing the top black part to the aquarium so I could fill the tank up to almost the top without it leaking. That plus this heater and some decorations are pretty much all that I added to it.

The filter intake never bothers him, and he used to love swimming into the filter outflow, so it obviously wasn't too strong for him.

Here’s an inexpensive filter I use and a heater . You’re gonna need a API master test kit. It’s recommended that you cycle your tank. You can do a fishless cycle in which you’ll need ammonia to start the cycle. Or you can do fish-in cycling and add him after you put the water in.
Bettas love plants! Silk or real plants are the way to go, you should avoid plastic because it will rip their fins. if you get real plans i suggest java fern because it’s super hardy

This is a good cheap 3 gallon, I have one my self and it can easily fit on a desk. http://www.amazon.com/Tetra-29095-Cube-Aquarium-3-Gallon/dp/B008CA7W7E

You will need to get a heater for it though but you can get one for pretty cheap as well.