New Member Intro and first setup.

[nickdolin]

Hello, after visiting the store today we decided to get a Betta for our bedroom. I tried doing some research from my phone and got some basics but after reading more I already know some changes I need to make. But I purchased the 1 gallon bowl w/ lid, pellet food, some bloodworms, and a water conditioner. I'm fine with doing regular water changes once a week seeing as the tank is plastic and only 1 gal.

Future changes:
2.5 gallon or larger tank
heater
Something to hide in (are there any household items I could use?)
Regular gravel to anchor plants...those plastic jewels don't anchor well at all.
Remove base of fake plant to prevent any fin issues

Any other suggestions?





I'm also the proud owner of....

2 Dogs, 2 Snakes, 1 Hamster, 1 Sugar Glider, 1 wife...

[nickdolin]

Having read more, I realize that 50% changes every couple days may be more desirable than 100% changes once a week.

[amyteee]

You can use a clean small terracotta plant pot as a hiding spot, turned on its side. :)

Try to get a small gentle filter in your 2.5 gallon also. I use an undergravel filtration system in mine. Live or silk plants are also ideal for a Betta so they don't tear their delicate fins. ^-^

And welcome to the forums! I'm also a new member, I got my Betta a few days ago. :D

[nickdolin]

I wonder if a small coffee cup (6oz perhaps?) would also work? And good idea about the softer silk plant idea, I'll be sure and pick some up. I'm pretty sure the WalMart closest to me had a 2.5 gallon that had an UG filter. I would have bought a larger tank to begin with but the info I got with my phone at the time said that 1 gal was the min size but live and learn, it won't be an expensive fix.

[amyteee]

Yeah, a coffee cup will also work. :D.

I'm getting a half coconut shell for mine, some people use those big shrimp caves or resin hollow logs. Just some ideas. :D

[LadyVictorian]

Silk plants or live plants are also very nice. java moss is epic stuff and easy to care for and fish love it. Plastic plants are fin shredders.

[Bettanewbie60]

Originally Posted by nickdolin

Having read more, I realize that 50% changes every couple days may be more desirable than 100% changes once a week.

Exactly right! Congrats on the new betta and welcome to the forum! I'm glad you are doing your research...enjoy him. The 1g is perfectly fine with regular water changes...make sure you have a thermometer and heater too! I'm glad you joined us here!

[Perseusmom]

HI there and welcome to the forum, its a wonderful place to learn about proper Betta care and your little guy is very pretty love his colors !!! Just be sure whatever you use is clean and rinse in hot water over and over cause soap could kill your fish.

[AQUALUVA]

welcome. I've noticed they love a log or cave they can go in and out of.

[DragonFish]

Hi there, welcome to the forum and fantastic world of Betta keeping! ;)

I think everyone covered most of the basic advice, but I thought I'd just add a couple of things....

For water changes in a 1 gallon, you'll want to actually do 2 50%s and 1 100% per week. When you upgrade, if you're not going with all live plants, you can go down to just 1 50% and 1 100% per week.

Honestly, I wouldn't do a filter in a 2.5 gallon actually. Though a 2.5 can be cycled(which is really the only use/need for a filter with bettas), it can be a bit of a hassle with a tank that size to cycle. I wouldn't recommend a beginner to try and cycle such a small tank. So its not really worth adding a filter, IMO.....especially a UG filter. UG filters, from my experience, are just overall a serious pain anyway...the gravel gets all stuck under it and up in the tubes, there is no filter media for good bacteria to colonize so you can't properly cycle, and I can only imagine how much of a pain it would be to have to take it apart every week when you do your 100% change.....ugh...
Okay....sorry, UG filter mini rant over. xD When I worked at my old Local Pet Store, they used UG filters in all the tanks....oh goodness were they annoying!

Anyway....again welcome to the forum, feel free to ask any and all questions that may come to mind...we're all friendly and willing to help here :), and best of luck with your lovely new boy!