New user here, I have a couple questions

[Wondersoap]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forums and to fish in general.

I'm going to the pet store to pick up an aquarium. I'm getting a 5g (All I have room for) tank, a small filter (Ill be doing weekly water changes), a heater, and some silk plants.

I was wondering about gravel, would it be better to get gravel or sand or something else?

Would it be okay to keep my Betta in front of a window?

Thanks in advance :D

[rubyfire]

Hello and welcome to the forum ;)

You can have watever subtrate you want.
If you keep the tank in front of a window you will get lots of algea growth.

[Wondersoap]

Alright, thanks

Would there be any downside to feeding it freeze dried brine shrimp or bloodworms exclusively?

[rubyfire]

(someone can correct me if not)As long as you rehydrate them first I dont think there is any downsides. Soak them in some water for a couple minutes before feeding.

[Romad]

Originally Posted by Wondersoap

Alright, thanks

Would there be any downside to feeding it freeze dried brine shrimp or bloodworms exclusively?

Exclusively isn't a good idea. They need a more balanced diet. Buy some Hikari Betta Bio-Gold pellets for the main diet. A small pkg. will last you forever.

Bloodworms/shrimp can be given as a treat. A few each time maybe twice a week. And you do have to rehydrate them in some tank water before you feed your fishy. Dry swallowing those can be a problem to some.

[5green]

i would use gravel not sand because gravel is easier to clean and the sand is bad for your betta because they may digest it and sand is NOT good for a betta

[rubyfire]

Originally Posted by 5green

the sand is bad for your betta because they may digest it and sand is NOT good for a betta

:/ I have sand in my breeding tank...No deaths related to the sand and all the bettas that I've had in there with the sand are and still healthy. And the sand looks really cool in there too I might add ;)
This pic was taken before it was the breeding tank.

[creamcookie]

You shouldn't put your tank in front of a window where your betta can get direct sunlight because firstly, the UV rays from the sun may cook your betta, secondly, constant direct sunlight will freak them out, and thirdly, sunlight may cause the water temp to fluctuate, which may also kill your betta. You can keep it on a windowsill, if your tank soesn't receive direct sunlight. Oh, and I would use gravel because I think that it is easier to clean than sand. Good luck with your new fish!