Suggestions on what to buy first...

[LoveSGSE]

Hey everyone. I need advice on what I should buy first. Currently have a 0.5g tank, red HMPK in it.

1-2g tank
Gravels
Filter
A new betta with 0.8g tank?

So I was just asking, if I could only buy two items, what would it be? Im in Singapore so the water temp is always 28.5C constantly. And I have plenty of ketapang leaves too. Advice appreciated! Cheers!

[BettaxFishxCrazy]

IMO bettas should be kept in 2.5G tanks or more. I would buy your red HMPK a 2G so he has more room to move in. I'm not sure if they have Walmarts where you live, but there's a 5G kit for $30.

[LoveSGSE]

Ok thank you. I dont have walmart here, but I do have a very good local pet store. What about Gravels and other accessories ? As for water changes, how much do I have to change ? And how many days should I change it once? My HMPK is really happy right now. But I guess getting him a 2.5g tank would make him crazy. Thanks again.

[BettaxFishxCrazy]

On my 2.5Gs I change the water twice a week 100% (taking everything out and cleaning it). When we say the bigger the tank, the better it's because getting a bigger tank means less cleaning you have to do. For a .5G bowl/tank, that should be cleaned once a day 100% because ammonia builds up very quickly in smaller bowls/tanks. Bettas love plenty of hiding places, so getting tall wide plants and something he can hide in will make him very happy. You can use a coffee mug if you want or a terracotta pot. Some people get fake plants for really cheap at thrift shops, but make sure to let everything soak for a couple days to make sure the color won't bleed.

[LoveSGSE]

Roughly how long can a live plant last before changing it?

[BettaxFishxCrazy]

Oh, I don't know anything about live plants, sorry. I have fake ones in all of my tanks.

[LoveSGSE]

Ok no problem. Thanks for the suggestion.

[LoveSGSE]

How do I wash gravels ? Can't find answers in the forum...

[vilmarisv]

My suggestion...
Get the heater and the tank first.
You can buy the gravel and decorations later on.
Also, if you get a little creative, I'm sure you can find a few things you can use in your tank that you already own.
Also, check out craft stores for substrate and decorations. They are a fraction of the price than petstore stuff. There are river rocks, plants,crystal and plastic beads in my local pet store that can be used for tanks. You just have to judge what CAN be used. Stay way of painted stuff. If you're looking for plastic items, for example, look for the item that had the plastic dyed before being produce over the one that was produced and painted on.
Hope I make sense

[LoveSGSE]

I dont really think I will be needing a heater. Cause last night my thermometer read 30C. Thanks for the suggestion.