Vases and bowls have been the first choice of many beginning fishkeepers for their new betta for years. After all, a vase is cheap, doesn’t take up much space, looks pretty with a plant in it and bettas are very hardy and don’t require much specific care at all, right? Unfortunately, this info, which is mostly spread by pet stores who are trying to maximize their profits, is often accepted without second thought. People assume pet store employees are knowledgeable and never look up additional information. When the betta dies after a few months, they are told it passed away from old age. Keep reading for information on what a good betta tank should actually look like, what equipment it should contain and, most importantly, tons of photos of beautiful betta tanks that will hopefully convince you that an actual aquarium looks much better than a bowl anyway! For more information on exactly why bowls are unsuitable betta homes, check out why betta bowls are bad. Try to go for a minimum of 5 gallons (19L).

Tanks that size will actually cycle when a filter is used (click here for more info about cycling an aquarium), which reduces the need to do water changes. Tanks of 15 gallons (57L) and up can sustain some types of tank mates besides small snails like trumpet snails. A good example of an aquarium suitable for a single betta is this aquarium kit. But why not just a bowl? Bettas are naturally found in ponds, rice paddies and slow moving rivers in Thailand and Cambodia. fish tanks for sale lethbridgeContrary to popular belief, they do not live in animal footprints and tiny pools and therefore can’t just be kept in jars and bowls.coolest fish tank accessories But I see big fish rooms with tons of bettas in jars all the time!, I hear you say. fish tanks for sale kempton park

However, these fish are kept by experienced betta breeders who often use a drip filter system so their bettas are supplied with fresh water 24/7 and heat their entire fish room to a stable temperature. Without a drip system, a full water change has to be done every other day to prevent ammonia poisoning, which is of course quite stressful for the fish (and for you, when you’re sick, tired or just in a hurry). jebo fish tanks cape townBowls, jars and vases are also often too small to put a heater in, and without heated water bettas will get lethargic and stressed from temperature fluctuations. jebo fish tank filterIn short, an aquarium is just much easier and reduces the risk of stress-related illnesses or even death.jebo fish tank for sale durban

Heater – Bettas are tropical fish that require a stable temperature of 77-82 F (25-28 C). Without a heater, they will become lethargic because of the cold water and fluctuating temperature. This is a major cause of premature death in bettas. In their natural habitat, bettas are constantly surrounded by overhanging plants and aquatic vegetation. This creates a fairly dark environment where the fish can feel safe and rest on the leaves (which makes it easier for them to dart to the surface to breathe air at night). When this effect is imitated in the aquarium, bettas will often be calmer and less skittish than when they’re in a very bare, harshly lit environment. This gives us two general guidelines when decorating a betta tank: As mentioned earlier in this article, stick to just your betta in aquariums under 10 gallons (38L) – a few small snails like trumpet snails are fine, but there are very few fish that can be kept in such small tanks and their additional bioload could disturb the balance of the aquarium.

If your aquarium is bigger than 15 gallons (57L), you can keep your betta with some types of tank mates. Stick to fish and invertebrates that are calm, won’t nip your betta’s fins and are big enough to avoid being seen as a snack by a hungry betta. Don’t get tank mates that have different requirements than your betta when it comes to water values and temperature. Do some research before running out to the pet store. Examples of bad betta tankmates: Examples of good betta tankmates: Note: Mystery snails are popular betta tankmates but produce a lot of waste and are unsuitable for tanks under 15 gallons (57L). Yes, this is possible! Many betta collectors keep their bettas this way. For a divided tank, try to go for something that is at least around 10 gallons (38L). To keep maintenance to a minimum, bigger is better: a 20 gal (75L), for example, can house up to 3 bettas when divided correctly. When dividing an aquarium for your bettas, be sure to use a divider they can’t wiggle past or jump over.

Many a betta has gotten stuck or ended up in another one’s territory, with fighting and injuries as a result. This is a great article by Sitting by the Koi Pond with more information about dividers and this is a great guide which explains how you can make a cheap but safe divider yourself. Although there are some general guidelines, there are countless possibilities when it comes to decorating an aquarium for your betta. To provide you with some inspiration, the wonderful followers of the Aquariadise Tumblr have allowed me to share photos of their own tanks. Real plants and fake ones, divided aquariums, small aquariums, big aquariums, examples of every kind of betta aquarium can be found in the gallery below.Enjoy & be inspired! A huge thank you to all the lovely people who submitted photos of their aquarium. If you want to share your own experiences with setting up a betta tank, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. Featured Product Videos: Big Al's Mega Build SeriesDive into Thomas' Mega-Build following the set up of his massive 265 gallon aquarium, from start to finish!

Themed Aquarium of the Month: Sunny ShallowsThis month's aquarium theme is Sunny Shallows! Click to see more beautiful photos and view all the products we used to create this masterpiece. Aquarium of the Month: AndyGThis month's aquarium spotlight is on AndyG's Brio setup! Check out the post to see more photos and details of the setup from start to finish. We’ve been providing the best aquarium supplies at Big Al’s Pets for more than 35 years, online and in-store. We carry pond supplies, pet food and pet accessories for every budget, ensuring that you’ll be able to find all the essentials you need to keep your pets healthy. You’ll find all of the top products from highly respected brands that specialize in pet supplies and accessories inside our store. Keep your fish tank and its inhabitants fed and clean. If your pets are land-lovers, we have plenty for them, too, including pet food and toys. Enjoy our low-price guarantee on fish food and feeding equipment, supplements and medications, plant care supplies, saltwater mixes, protein skimmers, UV sterilizers, water pumps and power heads.