Betta fish questions

[black_cat]

Bettas don't usually need air bubbles or water filters. I personally don't think you'll even need a filter unless you plan on having other types fish in the same aquarium as the Betta. If you're concerned about algae buildup I would recommend just changing the water or getting a Pleco fish to take care of it for you.

I'd feel more comfortable with a filter Does the one in the kit look like it'd be ok for a betta? Does the light look good for growing plants?

 

[black_cat]

I've figured out an approximate time frame:
Because I'm aiming for chicks in the spring, I have to be careful about asking for too many things at once. I'm thinking that sometime around a bit before christmas, I'll make my presentation and show my saving up, hopefully get permission, and a bit after christmas, I'll start the tank with the live plants and try to do a fishless cycle. Once everything is set up well, I'll get a fish, probably mid winter next year. Although it's kind of sad that I'll have to wait a long time, it gives me lots of time to research and plan, as well as lots of time to save up. I"ll keep adding to the betta savings jar, and if I don't end up using it all it on startup, the extra will just go to continued spending, like food, water tester things (I have to buy lots of those, right?) reverse osmosis stuff, etc. I've officially decided I want a betta over a hermit crab

 

[black_cat]

https://www.petsmart.com/fish/tanks...s-aquarium-starter-kit-40713.html?cgid=300207
Would this kit be worth getting for a betta in the 10 gallon size? Is it actually cheaper to get it in the kit? It seems like it, because the stuff is expensive alone. Is this a good kit with stuff I could use?

@HappyClucker7 , what do you think of this kit? I"m mostly worried about the filter being too strong. Is it worth it to buy the kit and a different filter? @ChocolateMouse , I'd love your input as well

 

[NatJ]

https://www.petsmart.com/fish/tanks...s-aquarium-starter-kit-40713.html?cgid=300207
Would this kit be worth getting for a betta in the 10 gallon size? Is it actually cheaper to get it in the kit? It seems like it, because the stuff is expensive alone. Is this a good kit with stuff I could use?

Kit: probably fine.

Filter: probably fine, but if it moves the water too fast--just put a rock, branch, or plant in front of it, and that will slow the water down.

Light: probably fine for fish, OK for low-light plants (java fern, java moss, maybe a few others), not good for most other kinds of aquarium plants.

I cannot see details about the light, I'm just going with basic idea that a kit never has a plant-specific light.

For the price I'm seeing, it's probably a fair deal.
If you try to buy the parts separately, you may end up with "better" forms of some of them, but I think you will end up spending more money. I also think the quality in the kit will be fine.

https://www.petsmart.com/fish/decor...ted-aquarium-substrate-44058.html?cgid=300201
Good substrate for plants?

I wouldn't bother with it. Just get some pretty-colored gravel.
Some plants do not grow roots, and even the ones that do can be fine in gravel.

If you mostly want a betta, don't get complicated with the plants. Stick with simple ones (like the java fern I keep recommending).

If you really want to do an underwater garden, then you've got a lot more research to do before you buy anything. Different plants have different needs, so you have to either choose the plants and then meet their needs, or choose the conditions and then only get plants that like them.

Also be aware that algae is a plant, but one that many people do not like. You might need to regularly scrape it off the glass, so you can see into the tank, for example. You will probably have some algae no matter what you do, but the more you make conditions right for plants, the faster the algae will grow.

Algae can have its good points-- it will use fish waste just as well as other plants will (which is good for the fish), a layer of algae can make things smoother which is good for betta fins, and aquarium decorations like castles or pirate ships can look good with algae growing on them.

There are also forums for aquarium owners, and even specific ones for people growing aquatic plants--just reading through the old posts on such a forum can teach you a lot!

 

[HappyClucker7]

@HappyClucker7 , what do you think of this kit? I"m mostly worried about the filter being too strong. Is it worth it to buy the kit and a different filter? @ChocolateMouse , I'd love your input as well

The kit looks fine. The filter might be a little strong, but you'll just have to try it out. If it is too strong, you can put some aquarium sponge in the outflow to buffer the flow.
Also, that filter is made for cartridges, which are a huge waste of money. But, you can put some aquarium sponge and 100% polyfill in the filter instead, which will last you much longer than the cartridges. You just have to replace the polyfill when it gets dirty, and squeeze out the sponge in some tank water every now and then

 

[HappyClucker7]

https://www.petsmart.com/fish/decor...ted-aquarium-substrate-44058.html?cgid=300201
Good substrate for plants?

This is okay. Fluval Stratum is better though.

 

[black_cat]

Kit: probably fine.

Filter: probably fine, but if it moves the water too fast--just put a rock, branch, or plant in front of it, and that will slow the water down.

Light: probably fine for fish, OK for low-light plants (java fern, java moss, maybe a few others), not good for most other kinds of aquarium plants.

I cannot see details about the light, I'm just going with basic idea that a kit never has a plant-specific light.

For the price I'm seeing, it's probably a fair deal.
If you try to buy the parts separately, you may end up with "better" forms of some of them, but I think you will end up spending more money. I also think the quality in the kit will be fine.



I wouldn't bother with it. Just get some pretty-colored gravel.
Some plants do not grow roots, and even the ones that do can be fine in gravel.

If you mostly want a betta, don't get complicated with the plants. Stick with simple ones (like the java fern I keep recommending).

If you really want to do an underwater garden, then you've got a lot more research to do before you buy anything. Different plants have different needs, so you have to either choose the plants and then meet their needs, or choose the conditions and then only get plants that like them.

Also be aware that algae is a plant, but one that many people do not like. You might need to regularly scrape it off the glass, so you can see into the tank, for example. You will probably have some algae no matter what you do, but the more you make conditions right for plants, the faster the algae will grow.

Algae can have its good points-- it will use fish waste just as well as other plants will (which is good for the fish), a layer of algae can make things smoother which is good for betta fins, and aquarium decorations like castles or pirate ships can look good with algae growing on them.

There are also forums for aquarium owners, and even specific ones for people growing aquatic plants--just reading through the old posts on such a forum can teach you a lot!

Kit: probably fine.
Yay!
Filter: probably fine, but if it moves the water too fast--just put a rock, branch, or plant in front of it, and that will slow the water down.

Light: probably fine for fish, OK for low-light plants (java fern, java moss, maybe a few others), not good for most other kinds of aquarium plants.

I cannot see details about the light, I'm just going with basic idea that a kit never has a plant-specific light.
That makes sense. If it becomes a problem, I bet I can replace the actual light with a better one of the same type/size but use the hood setup.
For the price I'm seeing, it's probably a fair deal.
Yay!
If you try to buy the parts separately, you may end up with "better" forms of some of them, but I think you will end up spending more money. I also think the quality in the kit will be fine.



I wouldn't bother with it. Just get some pretty-colored gravel.
Some plants do not grow roots, and even the ones that do can be fine in gravel.
I'll look into the plants I'd like. I was going to do blue gravel over it anyway.
If you mostly want a betta, don't get complicated with the plants. Stick with simple ones (like the java fern I keep recommending).
Yep! I was thinking I could go with java fern, anubias, and water wisteria.
If you really want to do an underwater garden, then you've got a lot more research to do before you buy anything. Different plants have different needs, so you have to either choose the plants and then meet their needs, or choose the conditions and then only get plants that like them.
I don't think that I need toooo many plants. Definitely not a full on garden, but I'll look into the plants that I'd like to get.
Also be aware that algae is a plant, but one that many people do not like. You might need to regularly scrape it off the glass, so you can see into the tank, for example. You will probably have some algae no matter what you do, but the more you make conditions right for plants, the faster the algae will grow.
That makes sense.
Algae can have its good points-- it will use fish waste just as well as other plants will (which is good for the fish), a layer of algae can make things smoother which is good for betta fins, and aquarium decorations like castles or pirate ships can look good with algae growing on them.
I've seen some conflicting stuff-it seems like algae is kinda regarded as bad, or a sign that you aren't cleaning your aquarium enough? Is there a way to prevent it, or if I want to grow live plants will I just have to deal?
There are also forums for aquarium owners, and even specific ones for people growing aquatic plants--just reading through the old posts on such a forum can teach you a lot!
That makes sense-but new forums are scary I'm nervous about joining any new forums, but it makes sense that they'd be very helpful.

 

[black_cat]

The kit looks fine. The filter might be a little strong, but you'll just have to try it out. If it is too strong, you can put some aquarium sponge in the outflow to buffer the flow.
Also, that filter is made for cartridges, which are a huge waste of money. But, you can put some aquarium sponge and 100% polyfill in the filter instead, which will last you much longer than the cartridges. You just have to replace the polyfill when it gets dirty, and squeeze out the sponge in some tank water every now and then

So it's ok to use the sponge and polyfill in place or cartridges? I just want to make sure I don't accidentally break the filter, which is totally something I'd do.

 

[HappyClucker7]

So I'm thinking that I'd go for anubias, java fern, and wisteria-possibly more than one of one of them. How much light would they need? @Tonyroo said something about algae growing in high light? Would one of those clip on lights be find, or would a whole hood+LED stirp thing be needed?

Anubias and Java Fern can grow in low light. Water Wisteria needs high light. If you go with medium light levels, then you should be able to grow them all together.
One thing you have to know about the anubias and java fern is that they have a rhizome which you can't plant under the substrate. You can plant the roots, but the rhizome must stay above the substrate.

That brings up a good point-if I wanted to add a few other little fish, would they be ok in a 10 gallon tank? Possibly guppies or those little silver and red things? Probably only like 3 of either one.

Bettas don't really like other fish. Also, a 10 gallon tank would not be enough space for a big enough school of the neon tetras.
Guppies should not be kept with bettas because bettas often mistake the guppies for other bettas and attack them. Guppies also need hard water and bettas need soft water.

Once you have the fish, do you still need to test the water every day? Or can you assume that it's doing its thing?

Once your tank is cycled, it's not really necessary to test the water every day. It would be good to test it every once in a while though.

How do you tell if a betta is healthy when you get it at the pet store? It's hard to see if they're active at all in those little cups.

When you look for a betta, get one that is actively swimming about. Hold his cup up to another betta and see if he flares.
Make sure there are no tears in his fins, and that he doesn't have finrot. A betta with finrot will have tattered looking fins.
I know you said you wanted a betta with really long fins, but those are not very healthy. Halfmoon, Rose tail, Feather tail, Over halfmoon, and Super delta tail are all tail types that should be avoided. Because of the long fins, those bettas often nip their own fins, they are more prone to finrot, and the have trouble swimming when they get older.
You should also avoid dragon scale bettas. They can get issues where their scales grow over their eyes and gills. They are also very prone to getting tumors.

Do I want a canister filter? Or a not canister filter? Is this one good? https://www.petsmart.com/fish/filte...qua-clear-power-filter-16885.html?cgid=300108

A canister filter is overkill for a 10 gallon tank.

Ok so I'm just going insane here but do 20 gallon tanks need stands? I know that they're more expensive, but if I go to a pet store and see actual sizes of things I"m not sure if I'd actually stick with a 10 gallon.

A 20 gallon does not need a stand as long as you have something strong and sturdy to put the tank on.

 

[HappyClucker7]

So it's ok to use the sponge and polyfill in place or cartridges? I just want to make sure I don't accidentally break the filter, which is totally something I'd do.

Yes, it's totally fine. I don't use cartridges in any of my filters. The cartridges are really just there to make more money for the filter manufacturers. They're not needed for your filter to work properly.