Your betta fish depends on you totally to offer the proper circumstances for it to thrive. Because of this organising your betta fish tank is of essential significance in case your fish is to remain glad and wholesome. And but, it’s one step that so many betta fish keepers get incorrect.
On this article we’ll talk about every of the important thing parts you’ll have to get proper. We’ll take a look at what works finest for betta fish and mix all this information right into a step-by-step betta fish tank setup information.
By the top you’ll know all the pieces essential to correctly set your betta fish up with the proper captive habitat.
Let’s get began…
The Wild Habitat of Betta Fish
Betta fish are discovered naturally in Southeast Asia, in nations like Thailand. They’re freshwater fish, usually discovered residing in rice paddies and different slow-moving our bodies of water. They’re even encountered residing in seasonal puddles throughout the wet season.
Because of this betta fish have advanced to reside in environments the place they encounter few different fish, and the place there are many locations for them to cover away. That is doubly vital in captivity, the place their elegant fins can imply that they’re teased and nipped by extra aggressive fish.
Choosing the Greatest Betta Fish Tank
Quite a lot of misinformation has been shared about betta fish tanks over time. The reality is that betta fish shouldn’t be stored in tiny fish tanks like goldfish bowls. So what does a great betta fish tank seem like?
Dimension / Quantity / Dimensions
Betta fish needs to be stored in a correct tank holding a minimum of 5 gallons of contemporary water. For those who can stretch your funds to a ten gallon tank then your betta fish is prone to be even happier.
Such tanks not solely present appropriate swimming house however are simpler to setup and preserve than a lot smaller tanks, with their smaller quantity of water and fewer house for electrical tools.
Safe Lid
Betta fish have been recognized to leap out of their tanks, so the perfect betta fish tanks additionally incorporate a safe, tight-fitting lid.
A correct lid has a number of different advantages. For instance, a lid prevents different family pets like cats getting access to your fish, whereas additionally stopping family chemical compounds resembling furnishings polish or window cleaner from polluting your betta fish water.
Constructed-in Electrics
Even a 5-10 gallon aquarium isn’t large. Becoming the vary {of electrical} tools you’ll want right into a small tank can generally be difficult, so many betta fish keepers decide to decide on a tank that features all of the electrics.
To be clear; you definitely don’t have to pick a tank with built-in electrics, however when you’re new to conserving betta fish such an “all-inclusive” equipment can actually make your life lots simpler.
Environmental Circumstances
When you’ve chosen your betta fish tank, the subsequent factor to think about are the environmental circumstances that your fish requires.
Water Temperature
Coming from the tropical components of Asia, betta fish thrive in heat water. An optimum temperature for betta fish is between 78 and 82’F, or between 24 and 28’C. Because of this an aquarium heater can be essential.
Fish tank heaters are available in a spread of various sizes. When deciding on an aquarium heater examine that it’s designed for the scale of tank you’ve.
Chlorine
Most faucet water within the West has had chlorine added to it to assist human well being. For fish, nonetheless, chlorine might be poisonous so will have to be eliminated.
There are a selection of how to keep away from the chlorine in faucet water. Firstly, you might in fact keep away from faucet water totally, filling your betta fish tank with bottled water or rain water. For those who depend on faucet water, nonetheless, there are nonetheless two different options:
Time: Over time the chlorine in faucet water dissipates into the air. Subsequently you possibly can merely replenish your aquarium and depart the water for a interval of 48 hours or so, by which level it needs to be secure.
Dechlorinators: A better and extra environment friendly possibility is to buy a bottle of aquarium dechlorinator. Because the identify suggests, observe the directions on the bottle, including the required quantity to remove the chlorine in your tank. This tends to work nearly immediately so could be a way more sensible resolution.
Nitrogen Cycle
Leftover meals and fish faeces can create a poisonous setting to your fish. Over time, with the appropriate care, a colony of aquatic micro organism will construct up within the tank. These micro organism, in flip, will flip the poisonous ammonia firstly into nitrite, after which into nitrate. Nitrates are a lot safer to your fish, however even these might want to stored below management with common water modifications.
The purpose right here is that it’s essential to keep up the appropriate water circumstances in case your betta fish is to thrive. Certainly, one of the widespread causes for any pet fish dying is solely that the proprietor didn’t perceive the nitrogen cycle, and in consequence their fish have slowly poisoned themselves.
Fortuitously, biking your betta fish tank needn’t be too troublesome. You’ll want two issues: an aquarium filter to take away particles from the water, and time for the bacterial colonies to construct up.
Filters to your Betta Fish
Let’s firstly take a look at the perfect filters to your betta fish tank earlier than we take a look at encouraging the helpful micro organism that may management nitrogen in your aquarium.
Undergravel Filters
One common filtration possibility for betta fish are undergravel filters. Because the identify suggests, these filters draw water down via the gravel, the place any particulate matter floating within the water then turns into trapped.
This filtration helps to maintain the aquarium water trying clear. Moreover, helpful micro organism are allowed to construct up within the gravel, the place they’re consistently being “fed” with the fish tank waste.
The draw back of undergravel filters, in fact, is that routine upkeep might be troublesome. Even worse, if one thing goes incorrect then you might have to take away the aquarium gravel to achieve the filter media.
Canister Filters
Canister filters don’t sit below the gravel; as a substitute they sit in a single nook of your betta fish tank. These filters draw water into their central canister, the place it passes via the filtration medium, earlier than being ejected again into the tank.
Canister filters are my private choice as a result of they’re simpler to entry – and therefore preserve.
That mentioned, you will need to perceive a number of key components when selecting a filter to your betta fish.
Firstly, in fact, canister filters can take up extra space in your betta fish tank, so care needs to be taken to pick a filter that also permits loads of swimming room to your fish.
Secondly, and equally vital, betta fish have a tendency to not be very sturdy swimmers. That is hardly stunning making an allowance for their luxurious fins; how nicely would you swim carrying a marriage gown or a ball robe?
In sensible phrases this implies you don’t need the water in your betta fish tank to be shifting too shortly. A powerful present because of a strong canister filter can actually trigger points.
As soon as once more, subsequently, select your betta fish tank filter rigorously. Do your analysis to discover a mannequin that isn’t solely sufficiently small to suit into your betta fish tank, but additionally one which has a variable circulation fee which you can flip right down to the bottom setting.
Biking the Tank
When you’ve chosen your filter and have stuffed your tank with water you possibly can start a course of often called “tank biking”. It is a fancy identify for encouraging the expansion of helpful micro organism. The method is kind of easy. Every morning merely drop in a tiny pinch of fish meals.
This uneaten meals would be the “catalyst” that the handful of naturally occuring micro organism will feed on. The colonies will develop over time, till you’ve sufficient micro organism to course of your betta fish waste. That is the purpose when it’s secure so as to add your fish.
Testing Water High quality
All this discuss of nitrogen cycles is nicely and good – however how have you learnt when it’s secure so as to add your fish? Firstly, most individuals discover the nitrogen biking course of takes some 7-14 days relying on circumstances – so this offers you a ballpark determine.
Nonetheless, time alone just isn’t sufficient of a sign. The caring betta fish keeper can even perform water exams utilizing an aquarium testing equipment. Trying reasonably like a schoolboy chemistry set, you merely use the equipment to measure ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. When all ranges are passable some weeks later you realize you’re able to go.
For those who’re on a funds observe that some aquarium shops will really check your tank water for you – usually without spending a dime. So when you decide to not buy your personal water testing equipment scout your native space to see if any retailers will enable you out.
Lighting
Betta fish are diurnal – which means they’re awake throughout the day. All the identical, the muddy puddles and rice paddies during which they naturally reside are sometimes shady, or are crammed with particulate matter.
Because of this aquarium lights aren’t completely essential for betta fish. All the identical, most house owners select so as to add lights to their tank, to allow them to absolutely benefit from the colours of their fish.
For those who’ve chosen an “all-inclusive” betta fish tank then this can seemingly have already got lights fitted. For those who’re organising your personal tank from scratch, selecting tools on the fly, then LED aquarium lights might be significantly sturdy contenders. Not solely do LED aquarium lights keep good and funky – in order that they don’t mess along with your aquarium heater – however in addition they use little or no vitality.
Substrates for Betta Fish
After you’ve chosen your tank and electrical tools it’s time to begin interested by landscaping your tank. Step one right here is usually selecting an appropriate substrate – one thing to line the bottom of your aquarium.
A load of choices exist however two of the preferred options are:
Gravel: To my thoughts gravel is the best choice. It’s simply sources, low cost to purchase, seems nice and is available in a complete load of various varieties. Attempt to decide on gravel with items that your fish can’t eat for security. For those who decide to make use of an undergravel filter then observe the rules as to what depth is required.
Sand: A second possibility that has turn into common in recent times is aquarium sand. Like gravel, this is available in quite a lot of completely different colours and may look very visually interesting. If there’s a draw back it’s that the extra closely-packed particles could make it tougher for the helpful micro organism it is advisable to turn into established.
No matter possibility you select be sure you totally wash the substrate earlier than putting it into your tank. On this manner you’ll restrict the mud that such substrates naturally embody, stopping your aquarium water from going cloudy.
For my full information on betta fish substrates please click on right here.
Betta Fish Tank Decor
Including some gravel to your betta fish tank is one factor, however most of us wish to create a gorgeous focus of our tank. One thing that may actually assist your betta fish to look its finest, whereas offering an appropriate setting to your pet.
Listed here are a few of the hottest choices for designing a lovely betta fish tank…
Driftwood
Items of gnarled wooden can look very pure certainly in a betta fish tank. They add visible enchantment and also can present locations to your betta fish to cover away when the temper takes it.
Some wooden has a nasty behavior of floating to the floor of the water so be sure you soak it for 48 hours earlier than putting it into your betta tank.
Rocks
Rocks and pebbles also can make a helpful addition to your betta fish tank. It may be price including further substrate when you plan to include rocks into your tank design, as this can assist to “wedge” the heavy stones into place, lowering the danger of them falling onto your fish.
Caves
Betta fish actually admire locations to cover. Each driftwood and rocks may also help to realize this, however an alternative choice is without doubt one of the pre-made aquarium “caves” obtainable from many pet shops.
Many of those are designed to look as reasonable as potential, however might be made to look even higher when they’re mixed with different decor parts like wooden or crops.
Floating Decor
Betta fish like to softly relaxation close to the floor of the water. Within the wild there could be all types of floating materials, or crops rising over the perimeters of their swimming pools. Moreover, betta fish are recognized to “relaxation” on plant leaves near the highest of their tank.
Because of this, many betta fish keepers decide to incorporate a number of floating items of decor designed with betta fish in thoughts.
Vegetation
Aquarium crops could make the distinction between an “OK” betta fish tank and one that appears unimaginable.
Whereas reside aquarium crops are common, they do add to your upkeep workload. In actuality, reside aquarium crops can have fairly specialist necessities and will require ongoing care if they don’t seem to be to die and spoil the water chemistry in your tank.
Fortuitously, over time synthetic aquarium crops have improved by leaps and bounds.
Ignore ugly-looking plastic crops, and as a substitute take into account a few of the lovely silk aquarium ornaments at present on sale.
Many look amazingly lifelike, present comparable locations to cover however require a lot much less ongoing care. An ideal compromise for many betta fish keepers.
Essential Concerns When Choosing Decor
Whereas most fish keepers choose tank decor primarily based totally on look it’s also vital to think about the sensible implications. Earlier than you begin decking out your tank, subsequently, listed here are some useful hints and suggestions it’s best to take into account…
Sharp Objects
The elegant fins of betta fish can simply turn into scuffed or torn on sharp objects.
When deciding on decor to your betta fish tank it’s subsequently sensible to deal with these choices with easy surfaces. This consists of crops; these with lengthy, easy leaves are typically extra appropriate than something “spiky”.
Hygiene & Chemistry
As we now have already mentioned, water chemistry is of the utmost significance when conserving any kind of fish. All too usually this isn’t given sufficient thought.
For instance, individuals frequently choose up engaging rocks or driftwood from the seashore, then place it into their fish tank with out thought. Quickly sufficient the saltwater of this stuff begins to leach out, ruining the water chemistry and killing their fish.
It subsequently advisable to solely select tank decor from a good aquarium store, reasonably than utilizing no matter you occur to search out within the countryside. Even then, be sure you correctly sterilize it earlier than use.
The best possibility I’ve discovered is to buy a big plastic container that’s used just for fish tools. Your decor might be positioned inside after which boiling water might be poured over rocks and wooden.
Notice that boiling water can injury silk crops, so if doubtful as a substitute soak them in an aquarium-safe detergent.
Mud & Filth
Many substrates and pure decor objects can have all method of mud and filth on them. Wooden, specifically, can launch “tannins” – pure dyes that may flip your aquarium water a wealthy purple or brown in shade.
Whereas that is unlikely to do an excessive amount of hurt to your pet, it may be fairly ugly, and an actual annoyance when you’ve put vital effort into creating a gorgeous aquascape.
Earlier than including any tank decor, subsequently, take the time to totally wash and scrub them. In your peace of thoughts you may additionally wish to soak them in a bucket of water in a single day, altering the water if the water shade begins to alter.
Hiding Locations
Lastly, don’t neglect that betta fish love locations to cover, and can be a lot happier if this want is met. When contemplating tank decor, subsequently, actively take into account the way you’ll present these secluded areas.
Whereas it’s tempting so as to add minimal decor, in order that your fish is all the time on show, that is in all probability not probably the most appropriate setting for the long-term well being and happiness of your fish.
Step-by-Step Betta Fish Tank Setup Information
By now it’s best to have gathered all of the tools you’ll have to setup your betta fish tank. This could embody:
- Suitably sized aquarium – A minimum of 5 gallons, however ideally a minimum of 10, with a close-fitting lid.
- Aquarium heater – Chosen primarily based on tank dimension, and able to conserving the water between 78 and 82’F, or between 24 and 28’C.
- Filter – Chosen primarily based on tank dimension, with a gradual circulation fee.
- Lighting – Ideally LED lights that may showcase your betta fish to finest impact.
- Dechlorinator / Water Conditioner – To take away dangerous chlorine from the water. Use according to the producer’s directions.
- Substrate – Gravel or sand of a shade that appeals to you.
- Decor – Rocks, wooden, crops and extra to create a gorgeous aquascape.
Now it’s time to place all this collectively and eventually arrange your tank.
Clear Your Betta Fish Tank & Decor
Begin off by guaranteeing that each the aquarium you’ve chosen and your equipment is all totally clear. Using aquarium-safe detergents can turn out to be useful right here.
You’ll wish to make sure that any chemical residue leftover from the manufacturing course of or from storage is eliminated to create a wholly sanitary dwelling to your fish.
Place Your Tank
Even small betta fish tanks might be heavy to maneuver as soon as crammed with gravel and water, so it is sensible to get the positioning proper to start with.
Goal to put your betta fish tank in an space the place it’s simply noticed by you (waist top or above) and away from loud noises (like TVs).
Attempt to keep away from areas the place the temperature is prone to change quickly – resembling in a draught or close to a radiator.
Lastly, keep away from direct daylight, which cannot solely overheat a small betta fish tank however also can lead to brown algae rising in your tank.
Add the Substrate
Add your chosen substrate to the bottom of the aquarium. Until you’re utilizing an undergravel filter simply an inch or two of substrate is required.
Many fish keepers decide to create a delicate slope, with the gravel on the again being increased than on the entrance, as this may be very visually interesting.
Add the substrate gently and slowly, reasonably than pouring it out of a bucket from an important top, which could danger cracking the bottom of the tank.
Half Fill With Water
Utilizing dechlorinated water half-fill your tank with water. This lets you begin including tank decor to create a gorgeous structure with the danger of water slopping over the perimeters once you stick your arms in.
If you wish to keep away from the substrate shifting then both pour within the water very gently or place a dinner place onto the substrate and pour the water onto this.
Insert Electrical Gear
Now could be the time so as to add your electrical tools. Rigorously observe the producer’s directions when becoming your filter and heater, guaranteeing that they’ve the advisable house to function.
Nonetheless don’t flip these on till we now have completed organising your tank.
Aquascape With Tank Decor
Now all the important thing parts are in place you possibly can start to let your creativeness run wild with tank decor. Take your time, guaranteeing you don’t block the sleek motion of water round your filter and heater.
Routinely transfer away from the tank, observing what it seems like from a distance. That is the actually enjoyable bit so take pleasure in it!
End Filling With Water
When you’re pleased with the design of your tank you possibly can then end filling it up with dechlorinated water.
Notice that betta fish tanks shouldn’t be stuffed proper to the very high. As an alternative, attempt to depart an inch or two of house between the highest of the water and your aquarium lid. It is because betta fish will generally select to take breaths of air from right here.
Flip On Electrics
By now your tank ought to look prepared for enterprise. Now could be the time to lastly activate all of the electrics.
Get your filter working, the heater working and, if relevant, your lighting arrange. Make any minor changes essential if the water circulation out of your filter uproots crops and so forth.
Monitor Tank Circumstances
Whereas the tools that we now have right this moment tends to be very dependable, it’s all the time price monitoring your tank for a while earlier than including your fish.
Use an aquarium thermometer to keep watch over water temperature (and alter the setting in your heater as essential). Additionally, use a water testing equipment to examine in your tank chemistry.
Solely once you’re glad all is nicely must you take into account including your betta fish.
Introduce Your Betta Fish
Lastly, as soon as your betta fish tank has been up and working for a number of weeks, and also you’ve confirmed that every one the environmental circumstances are proper, are you able to lastly gently introduce your betta fish.
It’s essential so as to add your fish correctly, giving them an opportunity to get acquainted with their new tank.
The best choice right here is to drift the bag that you just carry dwelling from the aquarium store in your tank for 30-60 minutes. On this time the water temperature within the bag ought to attain that of your tank.
The bag can then be rigorously opened, and your betta fish might be allowed to softly swim out into your tank.
Closing Ideas
Establishing a betta fish tank could appear to be an intimidating activity at first. Nonetheless, as we now have seen, once you break all of it down then it really turns into fairly easy.
For finest outcomes intention to arrange your betta fish tank at your leisure, taking your time and having fun with the duty. Let the tank sit for a number of weeks as soon as all arrange, in order that the nitrogen cycle can start.
As soon as your water check equipment exhibits that the chemistry is true you possibly can then take into account introducing your new betta fish.
As a remaining observe, when you’re planning to offer your betta fish some tank mates then introduce these methodically over time, reasonably than throwing all the pieces into the tank directly.
This can enable your water chemistry to recuperate with every new resident, and so ought to maximize your possibilities of success.