Help me shop for my betta!

[Eolith]

Not every day someone asks you to help them spend their money, huh?

I'm looking into getting my first betta, and I want to make sure I do things right... but I am on a limited budget so if we could stay below $150-$200 that would be dandy (less is more). I wanted to see what y'all thought of a petco kit I've found. It comes with some sort of filtration, but I'm not sure if it's adequate or even overkill for my future betta boy's needs. I don't think it comes with a heater either, so I'll need advice on how easily a heater could be added and what heater to get.

My dad and I had a 30 some odd gallon tank of tropical freshwater fish that we ran together when I was younger, so I'm not 100% clueless... but I'm a little rusty.

So here's the tank I've found thus far:
http://www.petco.com/product/12788/M...t=FishFC_Tanks

[Vikki81207]

I think that is one of the tanks alot of us betta owners get. I would get it.
So now all you need is
*water conditioner (I would get a big bottle)
*Plants
*gravel/rocks or marbles
*A cave or something to hide in
*Thermometer
*Aquarium salt
*Any meds you would want ahead of time(JFE or ich stuff)
*heater (hydor mini heater)
*& of course your betta!

If I forgot something, I'm pretty sure everyone else will say something.
Good luck when getting your betta

[Eolith]

The only thing in that list of needed items that really surprises me is the aquarium salt. Bettas like things a little salty? How much?

[Vikki81207]

1/4 teaspoon per gallon. It's more of a treatment/preventive. Some betta owners don't use it. But a lot of use just put that tiny bit in as a preventive to some sicknesses.

[Blue Eternity]

Haha thats a very large budget! Are you looking for one betta? Because trust me, once you get one, you'll NEED another ;]

Sets ups aren't nearly that expensive... This set up is very good, and generally inexpensive. This is what I use ^^ (mine is split though, for 2 bettas. so with this setup you could always split the tank and house two and they'll still have plenty of room!)

I'm going by how my local stores price things. I'm guessing it'll be around the same anywhere...

This is EVERYTHING I can think of you needing, and pretty much everything is a one time cost item except food and water conditioner ^^

italics are things you're going to have to keep buying. And you can check craigslist for cheap, gently used things. but just be sure to wash it good! :-]

10G aquarium (around $12)
aquarium topper (around $7)
Marineland 50W heater (around $23)
floating thermometer ($2)
fake silk plants (you can get a couple good ones for like $15)
a cave (mine was $6)
little accessorie, like a sign or a buddah like me! ($5)
subtrate (like $7)
a betta appropriate net ($4)
betta pellets ($4)
freeze dried bloodworms ($3)
aquarium salt ($3)
water conditioner ($4)
and last but not least, your betta! (mine were both around $5)
TOTAL : $100

And if you want to split the tank, you can make dividers for under 5 dollars. ^^

Hope I didn't forget anything!

[puppyrjjkm]

I have that tank!! Our male betta loves it, he's always got a huge bubblenest. Anyway you could do live plants if you wanted, although I tend to stick with plastic. 5 gallons seems to be a great amount for a betta, but there are other styles if you don't like the hex. Just a heads up if you place it in/near direct sunlight the corners of the tank quickly build up with algae. It's not difficult to clean, but I just thought I'd let you know. At walmart they have a 5 gallon kit with filter/hood/light/tank for about $25. (I'm actually going to pick one up today :) ) It is shaped like this ten gallon http://www.teskepetandgarden.com/prodimg/10010.jpg so just if you wanted a different shape ;) good luck with your betta! soon you'll see you just can't have one!

[Eolith]

Sounds good. I've got my internet shopping cart all filled up. Here's what I've got:

-- 5 gal tank w/ filter & hood
-- Hydor mini heater
-- gravel
-- 2 fake plants
-- aquarium thermometer
-- water conditioner
-- betta food pellets
-- freeze-dried bloodworms
-- aquarium salt
-- water quality testing strips
-- a cave/tank decor thing ;)

It comes to a grand total of $105... which is quite happily below my budget. Thanks for your help! The salt tip was particularly enlightening.

[dramaqueen]

I have 2 suggestions to make. In a 5 gallon you could get a 25 watt heater instead of the Hydor mini heater. I don't think the mini heater would heat that size tank very well. I would recommend a Marineland stealth visitherm. Also, if you are going to be testing your water, the strips are not reliable. I would recommend the API freshwater master liquid test kit.

[Eolith]

Ooh, good to know, good to know. I'll go edit. I also realized that I forgot a net... so that'll be added too.

[Eolith]

Hmm... there weren't any 25 watt heaters that I could find. Only 50 watt.