Aquariums: Give me tips!! I just set up my first legit tank.
Help me know how to improve! I want my betta to have a good life. Includes 3 snails, a fern, substrate, hides, rocks, a sponge filter, and a betta!
Posted by ProgressPurple6782
5 Comments
ObsidianWraith on
First thing to make sure it’s that your filter is cycled.
Don’t forget to give your fish some attention – bettas are quite intelligent and can learn tricks and games!
They are quite curious. They also like to lay on stuff close to the top of the tank.
Don’t spoil him like it did to mine by feeding blood worms all the time – they get picky and will expect the good stuff all the time if that’s what you primarily feed him.
Dark_Themes on
i dont see a heater bettas like warm water unless your home is very warm i would recommend one. more plants for sure and a floating hammock type thing, be it a betta log or plants but something to help them res up top can help alot.
Emuwarum on
What species of snail?
ItchyYam3267 on
I see a Betta fish, the size of that tank is perfect.
– You need to add a sponge filter and heater. This last one is important because they are tropical and need their water between 78-82 degrees. Buy one according the gallon capacity of your tank.
– Add more plants. You can add some rocks and buy Anubis plants, they don’t need to be planted, easy to care, just attach them between the rocks. Look some examples online. More plants you add, more clean and healthy will be the water, and more places to hide and rest for him.
– Don’t spend money on rocks, get some natural and small outside, from your garden, rivers. Before introducing the rocks in the water, you have to test them to see if they are safe for your fish. Just add a little (spray or drops) of vinegar to the rock, if you see bobbles then it’s not good at all, it contains calcium, if there’s not bubbles then it’s safe. Then introduce them in clean water overnight and at the next day wash them with an old toothbrush to remove any dirt.
– For the filter, there are many but Bettas prefer quiet environment so the sponge ones are good. You’ll need a pump, that can be noisy because of the vibration so put a towel or something soft under to pump to reduce the noise.
– Don’t install the tank directly or close to a window, or too much light for many hours, or you will have algae problems, they love light. If you get that problem, keep the tank with no light at all for some days. Your betta will be ok while the water temperature is correct.
– Betta fishes are very smart, they can recognize you so interact with him daily. Talk to him, play showing him things to follow you, like your finger through the glass. Put him in a place where he can see you easily. They look serious but they can be funny. Some people put a ping-pong ball so they can play while they are alone. I tried that with mine but he didn’t pay attention to it. You will notice when he gets mad, his gill will be flaring, so respect his boundaries.
– They like to be close to the surface so don’t worry if he stays there for a while. It will help him if you add something to rest himself close to the surface. I bought a hammock, yes, a hammock, for betta fishes. You can find it at Amazon for less than $10, it floats and you fish can rest very comfy. Look at them or any betta fish toys on google.
– Don’t over feed him. Just a few pellets and remove those that he didn’t eat, they can discompose fast and make his water dirty and toxic. The pellets float so it’s not hard to remove them with a paper towel or napkins.
– Avoid loud noises, like closing a door, hit this tank, or appear next to him suddenly, that scare them and over stress them. They are sensitive cute pets. Don’t install the tank over a dresser, the opening/closing cabinets will make his life miserable.
-I got at Home Depot three small white “charlotte pipes 1 1/2 inch”, and I put them inside his tank, he LOVES THEM! One of them it’s with a degree (curve) so it fit in one corner, like a little tunnel. They are his favorite place to hide when he gets scare, mad or just to sleep. I find him inside of one every morning so is his bedroom, too.
– Treat your little friend with kindness, he will love you more than you think.
ExplorerKey on
Maybe some more gravel? You could build it more upward at the back to add depth and the plants could grip it better. And some more plants for him to rest/hide, Etsy has some good priced plants and bundles. Heater ofc as others have said, besides that you got it pretty good
5 Comments
First thing to make sure it’s that your filter is cycled.
Don’t forget to give your fish some attention – bettas are quite intelligent and can learn tricks and games!
They are quite curious. They also like to lay on stuff close to the top of the tank.
Don’t spoil him like it did to mine by feeding blood worms all the time – they get picky and will expect the good stuff all the time if that’s what you primarily feed him.
i dont see a heater bettas like warm water unless your home is very warm i would recommend one. more plants for sure and a floating hammock type thing, be it a betta log or plants but something to help them res up top can help alot.
What species of snail?
I see a Betta fish, the size of that tank is perfect.
– You need to add a sponge filter and heater. This last one is important because they are tropical and need their water between 78-82 degrees. Buy one according the gallon capacity of your tank.
– Add more plants. You can add some rocks and buy Anubis plants, they don’t need to be planted, easy to care, just attach them between the rocks. Look some examples online. More plants you add, more clean and healthy will be the water, and more places to hide and rest for him.
– Don’t spend money on rocks, get some natural and small outside, from your garden, rivers. Before introducing the rocks in the water, you have to test them to see if they are safe for your fish. Just add a little (spray or drops) of vinegar to the rock, if you see bobbles then it’s not good at all, it contains calcium, if there’s not bubbles then it’s safe. Then introduce them in clean water overnight and at the next day wash them with an old toothbrush to remove any dirt.
– For the filter, there are many but Bettas prefer quiet environment so the sponge ones are good. You’ll need a pump, that can be noisy because of the vibration so put a towel or something soft under to pump to reduce the noise.
– Don’t install the tank directly or close to a window, or too much light for many hours, or you will have algae problems, they love light. If you get that problem, keep the tank with no light at all for some days. Your betta will be ok while the water temperature is correct.
– Betta fishes are very smart, they can recognize you so interact with him daily. Talk to him, play showing him things to follow you, like your finger through the glass. Put him in a place where he can see you easily. They look serious but they can be funny. Some people put a ping-pong ball so they can play while they are alone. I tried that with mine but he didn’t pay attention to it. You will notice when he gets mad, his gill will be flaring, so respect his boundaries.
– They like to be close to the surface so don’t worry if he stays there for a while. It will help him if you add something to rest himself close to the surface. I bought a hammock, yes, a hammock, for betta fishes. You can find it at Amazon for less than $10, it floats and you fish can rest very comfy. Look at them or any betta fish toys on google.
– Don’t over feed him. Just a few pellets and remove those that he didn’t eat, they can discompose fast and make his water dirty and toxic. The pellets float so it’s not hard to remove them with a paper towel or napkins.
– Avoid loud noises, like closing a door, hit this tank, or appear next to him suddenly, that scare them and over stress them. They are sensitive cute pets. Don’t install the tank over a dresser, the opening/closing cabinets will make his life miserable.
-I got at Home Depot three small white “charlotte pipes 1 1/2 inch”, and I put them inside his tank, he LOVES THEM! One of them it’s with a degree (curve) so it fit in one corner, like a little tunnel. They are his favorite place to hide when he gets scare, mad or just to sleep. I find him inside of one every morning so is his bedroom, too.
– Treat your little friend with kindness, he will love you more than you think.
Maybe some more gravel? You could build it more upward at the back to add depth and the plants could grip it better. And some more plants for him to rest/hide, Etsy has some good priced plants and bundles. Heater ofc as others have said, besides that you got it pretty good