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Is a 2.5g tank ok for a single betta?
would it be best to have plants and substrate or just a bare tank?
Could i have a few ghost shrimp in there as well???

He would be alot happier in 2.5g than those cups. I've done this in the past, and they was very happy fishes.

Best bet, a thin layer of rock bottom, and maybe a small cave or something for him to hide or play inside. I'd say maybe one plant, nothing to big that would take up his play room.

Fish tanks are an expensive addiction

You could try ghost shrimp, but it really depends on the temperament of the betta. Some will leave shrimp alone, some will snack on them.

Yeah, umm I bought some ghost shrimp friends for my betta... I came back and the attenas were sticking out of his mouth... just a heads up ^^;

it would work as long as you do a water change fairley often. i would say no to ghost shrimp, they are most suited for lager tanks with filters and more space to...well.....do whatever they do! yeah, maybe a cave or fake rock thing and a fake plant or two, make sure they couldnt rip his tail, and he should have plenty of swimming space. good luck!

What came first? the chicken or the egg? No really.....

Be careful with what are being sold as ghost shrimp, some suppliers are passing off baby long-armed shrimp as ghosts.

2.5g is fine, perfect for being able to filter and heat in winter too And that size can be cycled. Substrate is preferred, it helps keep the environment more stable. Plants will help keep the ammonia in check and give the boy something to play with or sit on



For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

thanks for replies, i am suprised u guys think it would be ok, but i am no expert on bettas.

Would i need a filter for this tank? if so i geuss i could buy a tiny lil HOB filter.

Callatya, where can i reliably get ghost shrimp. I have never seen htem in any Sydney store, i only have seen them online at www.livefish.com.au
For a plant, should it be floating or on the ground?
i was thinking java moss or fern for an on the ground plant, and elodea or duckweed floating. Would all these plants do ok light wise if i put them next to a window?
I could get a little 11w lamp, but i wont if i dont need it

Finally, any one know a good source of bettas in the sydney region?, especially breeders or clubs

The ones on Livefish look like the right species One of the wholesalers is trying to source them at the moment, so you *might* see them in shops soon, but go for the online ones if you want them soon

As with most things, bigger is usually better A 2.5g is big enough to cycle, filter and heat, and has room for a full flare and movement. It is also less of a leap from a jar, so that muscle tone can develop and the idea of living in something larger than 250mls can sink in without too much stress.

Where is the tank going? Does the filter need to be quiet? I usually use a large sponge filter in small tanks, I'm not sure how well a small HOB would work (if you are talking no-name palm size) as the media room is limited. You could even try a UGF, although in a tank that size it could get messy a bit faster than normal. Small internals will probably be too strong.

You could just do weekly water changes BUT at that size tank I have found it more difficult to keep it within good parameters than it is with smaller tanks/bowls. A tank of that capacity will be trying desperately to cycle within 7 days and it is much trickier to cut that process off once you get past about a gallon. If you go the unfiltered route, I'd still suggest cycling it and doing small partials instead of large changes as I've found this to provide better water conditions.

Any plant will be fine Hornwort, duckweed, anubias nana, or java fern would be my choices. Elodea has now been banned as of a few months ago, avoid it (and it is grown in coldwater here anyway so it'd probably rot for a while before it adapted and it'd upset your water quality). They shouldn't need a window. If you put the tank near a window, you are going to end up with the temperature dropping a fair bit overnight, I'd suggest that you try to find another place for it with a more stable temperature The 11w fishtank lights are a bit expensive IMO, even though they look really cool. You'd probably get similar benefit out of a screw-in fluro globe and a desk lamp.

I only know of one local breeder with any spawns at the moment, and what I have left from last year is pretty ho-hum. What are you after? I'm thinking of getting a box sent down from Brissie shortly if you want anything super-snazzy, but otherwise there are some pet shops with good things coming through.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

If elodea is banned, does that mean it shouldnt be sold any more? cause the LPS near my house still carries big clumps of it.

I think for a plant i will start with the spare bit of java fern from my planted tank
which of these would be a better filter:
http://www. /catalogue_products.php?prodID=2925&catID=29
http://www. /catalogue_products.php?prodID=3305&catID=4

Which pet shops? the only fancy betta i have seen was a CT who i hope to buy

No, it definitely shouldn't be sold anymore. It is classed as a Class 5 noxious weed in NSW, it shouldn't be sold and I'd bet that if someone was caught selling it they'd be in hot water. Just make sure you don't buy it

Not sure on which exact pet shops now, I haven't been on a crawl in a while, but St George is pretty good, SLS is good but very expensive, and there are a few others who might have some good stuff. I'll PM you


For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett