Betta Fish Tank Setup, if you are setting it up for the first time, then you might have known by now that how intimidating it was. But, don’t worry it is not as hard as you feel; here you can find some significant steps that can help you set up a Betta Fish Tank easily. In this article, you can find some tips and the importance of water cycling and other significant steps that can help you take care of your new Betta Fish and set-up a fish tank for your Betta.
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Betta Tank Size:
Choosing the right tank size is one of the important things that you should consider first when you want to keep Betta in a fish tank. According to the experts, 5-gallon or more tanks (20-25ltr tank) will the perfect option, and the 5 or more gallon tank assures you to have the happiest and healthiest Betta fish.
Also, it is recommended to buy longer fish tanks instead of deeper ones. The longer fish tank is a better choice for your betta fish as they like to live in shallow waters such as rice paddies, which is considered their natural environment. Betta fish like to swim in wider spaces, rather than deeper areas, and also they eat from the surface of the water.
Everything Your New Betta Fish Needs:
Things that are required to set up a fish tank for your Betta Fish include:
Betta Fish Tanks: A 5-gallon tank is the best size for a single betta fish. Keeping Bettas in a small glass bowl is not at all a good idea as they cannot live in small bowls.
A bigger and wider aquarium gives a lot of room for your Betta to swim happily as it makes the captive betta feel at home. Also, a bigger betta fish tank keeps water clear and doesn’t get muddy for a longer time. So, a larger gallon tank means fewer water changes for you. But, if you use a smaller bowl, then you need to change the water daily, however, for a 5-gallon tank, you can change the water once in two weeks.
Male betta fish are also known as Siamese fighting fish as the male betta fish is very aggressive towards other male betta fishes and other species. That is why it is important to keep male betta fish separately in one tank, whereas female bettas can be placed along with other aquarium fishes.
Keeping male betta along with female bettas is not suggestible unless you are an expert in handling aquarium fishes.
Equipment For a Betta Fish Tank:
Betta fish are very active fish and they like to jump out. That is why it is crucial to get a larger aquarium with a lid. An aquarium with a lid can help your betta stay inside the tank.
What do Bettas Need in Their Tank?
Also, choose the perfect lighting system to place in your betta fish tank as the perfect lighting allows you to view the beautiful colors of your betta fish as they swim with their long fins. Use small filters such as nano hang-on-back filet or sponge filters as bettas are not comfortable swimming in strong currents. Bettas are tropical fish and they like water temperatures between 78 degrees and 82 degrees Fahrenheit, so you need to buy an exact-sized heater for your tank.
Betta Fish Tank Decorations:
Aquarium decorations add more elegance to your betta fish. With aquarium décor, you can make your fish tank look more attractive and your pet fishes can have a fun time exploring their new den. Generally, many people put sand or gravel to cover the bottom of the fish tank, also, some people use fake plants or ornaments without sharp edges. But, if you could add live betta fish tank plants to your fish tank, then it looks even more natural and beautiful. Easy-to-grow plants like java fern, anubias, and marimo moss balls are the best options as they do not need any special lighting or substrate to grow, and these plants also keep the water clean and clear through natural filtration.
Also, don’t forget to place a de-chlorinator in the fish tank along with living plants and decorations as it removes hard water substances like toxic chlorine from the water and allows you to clean the aquarium easily. It also helps your sponge filter act in a more efficient manner making your pet betta fish happier and healthier. When it comes to feeding betta fish make sure to get high-quality pellets or freeze-dried bloodworms.
You should also get an aquarium water test kit; with this kit, you will know when to clean your aquarium. It also shows if the nitrite and ammonia level increased above 0 ppm, even if nitrate levels went above 40 ppm if these levels are more that means you need to change the water and clean the aquarium.
How to set up a Betta Tank
Once you are ready with the Betta fish tank setup and any other pet fish accessories, now it is time to set up your Betta Fish Tank. Place the betta fish tank in a good location where you can view your fish, and choose a place near an electrical outline as you can place the lighting system easily and source of water for easy maintenance.
Avoid placing the betta fish tank in direct sunlight as it can cause overheating depending on your local climate.
What is the Best Setup For a Betta Fish?
Avoid placing the fish tank where you get direct sunlight, why because algae grow quickly in the tank and prevent temperature fluctuation. Also, avoid placing the take closer to heating or air-conditioner units.
Make sure to get strong aquarium stand as fish tanks get heavy when it is filled with water and décor. Placing it on a strong stand assures you that the fish tank is resting on a flat and strong surface. Also, buy a water-resistant aquarium stand so it won’t be worn out soon.
Make sure to wash aquarium accessories thoroughly. Wash the supplies and the tank with warm water and rinse them thoroughly to remove debris and dust from the decorations, sponge filter, substrate, and equipment. Do not use any cleaning products like detergents or soaps as an option to clean the fish tank as these compounds may be harmful to your betta fish.
Before buying a used aquarium, make sure to fill up the tank with water to check if there are leaks and let the water sit in the tank for 24hrs to find any signs of dampness.
Once you get the fish tank, install the day/night equipment in the aquarium and put all the accessories and live plants inside the fish tank, and decorate your aquarium as you want. Also, remember betta fish doesn’t like harsh currents, so placing some plants or decorative ornaments in front of the filter makes it easy for your bettas.
Final Thoughts on Betta Fish Tank Setups
Betta fish are amazing pets that need an environment that will help them thrive. Once your betta fish tank setup is setup be sure to perform cleanings and maintenance to keep them happy. This will ensure your Bettas are at their peak performance.
Feed your betta splendens once per day with an approved betta fish food and never overfeed them. Part of your betta fish tank setup will require constant monitoring of pH, nitrogen cycle, ammonia and adjusting should any issues popup.
If you pay close attention to this guide on setting up a proper Betta fish tank, you will give your betta fish a happy and healthy environment.
