I would suggest a fishless cycle. Bettas are known to be jumpers so I'm not sure about the Chi because it doesn't have a lid. Maybe you could make one. But generally I think 5 gallons is good room for bettas (yeah I also think those tiny tank are awful). I have mine in a 5 gallon. He seems to enjoy his time lying around and watching people.
5 gallon good for bettas?
I got a Fluval Chi 5 gal still sitting empty becaue I haven't figured out what to put in it. It is my first tank that I got for my 4 yr old and my self to keep together. He has been begging for one. The pet store guy tried saling us on a little cube thing for a betta but that seems cruel. Is a 5 gallon a good size for a betta? Will they get lonely? Is it ok to cycle the betta is the tank or best to do a fishless cycle? Thanks!
1 - 20 of 25 Posts
Thanks...I have been concerned about the jumping issue as well..thinking of getting a canvass screen so if it tries to jump it will hit something soft and won't get hurt.
You could also try floating plants. That might stop him from tryingThanks...I have been concerned about the jumping issue as well..thinking of getting a canvass screen so if it tries to jump it will hit something soft and won't get hurt.
Depends on the betta some jump some don't. My girlfriend had one that didn't jump she had it in a tank with no lid for 3-4 years.
White clouds would do OK in a 5 gallon and you wouldn't need a lid for them I have kept them in a 5.5 gallon with no lid for about a week never had a jumper. They also don't need a heater which is a bonus. Dirt cheap as well I got 6 for $2 at my LFS. If you had more than 3-4 you would have to do frequent water changes they are also very hardy so you could do a cycle with them. I bet a 4 year old would love them they are very active.
RCS are also a good choice no heater needed you could start of with half a dozen or so it's also a good way to make a little extra pocket cash when they start over populating.
2-4 Guppies would be OK but you would need a heater. If you don't have any females you don't have to worry about over-populating.
A lot of people may consider some of this slightly overstocking but if you do frequent water changes and keep the tank clean you will be fine. As long as you don't have 12 neons or 4 goldfish like I have seen before you'll be OK.
Fish stocking seems to be less of a mathematical formula and more of a common sense thing. 1" per gallon is kinda a bad rule. You wouldn't put a 10" arowana in a 10 gallon tank and according to aqadvisor.com 50 white clouds in a 30g breeder is only 72% stocked. You can't just look at fish size you have to look at everything, behavior in groups, activity level, bioload, and aggression.
Good Luck the people on these board are VERY helpful I am learning lots everyday.
White clouds would do OK in a 5 gallon and you wouldn't need a lid for them I have kept them in a 5.5 gallon with no lid for about a week never had a jumper. They also don't need a heater which is a bonus. Dirt cheap as well I got 6 for $2 at my LFS. If you had more than 3-4 you would have to do frequent water changes they are also very hardy so you could do a cycle with them. I bet a 4 year old would love them they are very active.
RCS are also a good choice no heater needed you could start of with half a dozen or so it's also a good way to make a little extra pocket cash when they start over populating.
2-4 Guppies would be OK but you would need a heater. If you don't have any females you don't have to worry about over-populating.
A lot of people may consider some of this slightly overstocking but if you do frequent water changes and keep the tank clean you will be fine. As long as you don't have 12 neons or 4 goldfish like I have seen before you'll be OK.
Fish stocking seems to be less of a mathematical formula and more of a common sense thing. 1" per gallon is kinda a bad rule. You wouldn't put a 10" arowana in a 10 gallon tank and according to aqadvisor.com 50 white clouds in a 30g breeder is only 72% stocked. You can't just look at fish size you have to look at everything, behavior in groups, activity level, bioload, and aggression.
Good Luck the people on these board are VERY helpful I am learning lots everyday.
I actually found a great little flat heater that's hardly noticable in the chi. Sits behind the pump. I also found a plant that can sit in the box in the top and float on the water may discourage jumoing as well. I have my heart set on a betta lol. They are so pretty! Don't wanns do more water changes than nessasary either
Bettas are very cool fish and don't require many water changes. Have fun with your new fish he/she will be very happy in a 5 gallon. Much better than a little jar that 90% of them will end up in.
I suggest you try putting some hornwort in the tank. It'll help with preventing excess nutrients and if you have enough you could cycle the tank for a shorter time. In theory well planted tanks don't need to be cycled because of the high plant mass absorbing all the ammonia from the fish waste I usually wait 2 weeks before I stock my tanks just in case the plants don't start growing well immediately. Hornwort is a very low light and low maintenance plant that is easy to grow so it would be suitable for your setup. Since it floats it could help to prevent jumping as well. Another nice thing about hornwort is that it can be a nice little bed for the betta. One time I saw a betta in a half-decently sized tank in a fish store resting on a some hornwort like it was a chair. It was really cute to see.
I’ve kept and spawned betas for 30 years. Although I’m sure it can be done I’ve never had one jump out of the tank. I currently have a nice red betta in a 10 gallon tank. To keep him company I hung a small mirror on the outside of the tank. He really shows his finest colors swimming in front of that mirror. BTW a 5 gallon is a terrific size for a single betta. As others have said they are a low maintenance fish. Their primary oxygen is not from gills but from “breathing” air at the surface of the water. This is accomplished because bettas and gouramis have a labyrinth to utilize oxygen. I once tried keeping angels with a betta. He tore their long fins up in no time. Just don’t feed him too much and the water will stay pristine longer. Charles
Also how do u acclimate a betta since they come in those cups? I knw the ones in bags u put the bag in water til up to temp but unsure with the cup. Thanks for all the suggestions!!
I've done it that way and they have been fine. Just let the cup float in the tank until they are the same temp. Some people like to add tank water to the cup a couple drops at a time.
I float the cup with the lid on it. After half an hour or so I use a medicine syringe and remove some of the water from the cup. I replace it with water from the tank. Bettas are fairly tough creatures. But I do take about 1 ½ to 2 hours of acclimation to the new water. Since my tanks are all planted I inject CO2. Adding a fish to CO2 injected water can be a shock also. Charles
They are lovely fish and I keep loads of em'! But to say they dont need many water changes is wrong. Just as a heads up get into the habbit of doing weekly water changes. Little effort and will prolong your fishes lifespan. Also it will keep the water nice a clear. You dont want the betta dying especially with your 4 year old. Ive seen the Fluval Chi at my LFS, he will be fine in there.Bettas are very cool fish and don't require many water changes.
But in your selection of fish try and pick out one that has nice finnage, is reactive to movement when you touch the tank and has no abnormal swellings. Ive heard alot of places in the states keep them in poor conditions so this could be hard, but they are few key tips to getting a healther fish.
Swan
To me, weekly water changes is not a lot of water changes.They are lovely fish and I keep loads of em'! But to say they dont need many water changes is wrong. Just as a heads up get into the habbit of doing weekly water changes. Little effort and will prolong your fishes lifespan. Also it will keep the water nice a clear. You dont want the betta dying especially with your 4 year old. Ive seen the Fluval Chi at my LFS, he will be fine in there.
But in your selection of fish try and pick out one that has nice finnage, is reactive to movement when you touch the tank and has no abnormal swellings. Ive heard alot of places in the states keep them in poor conditions so this could be hard, but they are few key tips to getting a healther fish.
Swan
roud:
Thanks for all the help!! The hornwort suggestion was great! I'm gonna pick some up. My boyfriend is gonna use some in his tank too! He has tetras. Since this is my first tank I have been nervous about it. I don't want to kill the poor fish. That would devastate my son. I feel much more comfortable with all the advice!
I was looking at some bettas at petco/petsmart and was really surprised at the some of the quality bettas. If you haven't gotten one, look for nice fins, good solid colors and healthy aggressive personality.
Since they are aggressive, they are better alone in a 5G tank. In a larger tank, you can have other tank mates for them.
Since they are aggressive, they are better alone in a 5G tank. In a larger tank, you can have other tank mates for them.
I would like to add a plant suggestion along with the hornwort. I have java fern in with all 21 of my bettas. It seems to be way harder to kill then hornwort. Also with hornwort I have noticed it does great in some tanks while in others it falls to pieces. So it makes a huge mess if it does die, rather than java fern which is almost impossible to kill and way less messy if it does.
Keep in mind if you do get a bigger tank for your betta at some point, not all bettas do well with tankmates. Each one has a different personality and even calm bettas can go on killing sprees. I think they do best alone, I also think they prefer it that way. They obviously aren't very social. Good luck with your 5 gallon!
Keep in mind if you do get a bigger tank for your betta at some point, not all bettas do well with tankmates. Each one has a different personality and even calm bettas can go on killing sprees. I think they do best alone, I also think they prefer it that way. They obviously aren't very social. Good luck with your 5 gallon!
I was thinking the same thing. hornwort always falls apart for me. lol. i use java ferns, windlov ferns, java moss, vals and a moss ball would look nice in such a contemporary tank.
Yeah honwort falls apart for me too, and leaves a mess. For floating plants, maybe frog bit or something similar - if the honwort falls apart.
Yeah I had the same problem. I thought I would try it and within a week it grew twice its original size and was dropping bits off all over the place. Try some Java Fern around the center piece, there easy to care for.
Swan
Swan
1 - 20 of 25 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
The Planted Tank Forum
A forum community dedicated to Aquatic tank owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about flora, fauna, health, housing, filters, care, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Top Contributors this Month
View All
Kwyet
134 Replies
Galabar001
58 Replies
Creature From The Tank
58 Replies
Recommended Communities
