[pic taken by me during my last visit to my LFS to admire and do research 😭]
I'm planning my first planted betta tank, doing extensive research on tanks, conditions, cycling, aquascaping, plants, livestock, tech etc. I am looking to get my tank and begin setting up hardscape and get it cycling for a fishless cycle over the next couple weeks.
That all being said, I'm conflicted on whether I should start with a small (5.5 gal) tank to house one betta only (along with his plants) or go straight to a larger (15-30 gal) tank. Eventually I would like to attempt a community tank (rasboras, corys, shrimp), but knowing a backup plan is necessary in the event the betta doesnt get along with his new roomies, starting with a 5.5g single occupancy tank then moving to something larger with the 5.5 as a backup seems like a good plan. Lower start-up and maintenance cost, good start for a newbie before transitioning to a more expensive, complex system, IF I'm succesful on the smaller and decide I still want to go larger and try a community. I thought I'd decided to go that route…
…but then I began to see comments and posts indicating that larger tanks are easier to stabilize, experience fewer fluctuations, etc. "Get the largest tank you can afford" is advice I've seen bandied about often. Knowing that I'm the type to throw myself headlong into a hobby, (and as my partner says, will likely want to get another larger tank rather quickly anyway) should I just jump straight to a larger tank that has room for a community, cycle and establish it, and start my betta straight in there? Higher start-up cost, but potentially easier to actually establish, and skips the "small" step since I plan to go to a bigger tank anyway? I would still of course have a quick backup plan in place when it came time for the community attempt.
I've flipped back and forth on my decision about five times already and every time I think I've decided I start second guessing again. Any advice or first-hand experience is greatly appreciated before my impulsivity takes over and decides for me!
https://i.redd.it/slltwy6p692g1.jpeg
Posted by madefrmemories
3 Comments
If you want to try the betta in a community tank, the community tank should be established before you attempt to add them (fish stocking is typically done in order of least to most aggressive; and bettas are at the aggressive end).
So if you only want (or can only afford; this is an expensive hobby and that’s something I think often gets overlooked) one larger tank, then start with the smaller one for just the betta.
I think starting with a 5 gallon would be best for a beginner, and then working your way up to a community if your betta happens to be compatible in a community tank, which you won’t know unless you try. I think 20-30 is a great size for introducing a betta into a community.
I am not a fan of the “get the largest tank you can afford” mentality. I think you shouldn’t start too small (i.e. below 5 gallons), but I also think that you have to dip your toes lighltly in a hobby before you go full throttle. I’ve seen people strike out thousands of dollars in the saltwater and freshwater side of this hobby when they weren’t 100% committed, and all they did was get frustrated with too much info/ too many options too quickly.
imo i would start with a 10 gal, they’re pretty cheap usually and its easier to keep water parameters stable!
not huge but def enough space for a betta and some smaller tank mates! ( maybe not larger cories but pygmy cories + a small rasbora species would do fine in a 10 )
if you want to expand you always can! but i would start with a smaller tank because they’re easier to maintain