FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I currently keep my bettas in dual betta hexs and I'm not very happy with the results. The fish aren't very active and I don't belive they are all that healthy. I did an experiment by putting two females into a 5 gallon tank and I was shocked at how much more interesting they are to watch when they have bigger surroundings. I would like to update my current betta setup into something pratical and healthy for the bettas and eye catching for me and visitors. What I want to know is what do you all keep your bettas in and what do you recommend I buy to get the look I'm wanting. I don't have much room but I do have a small area that I'm think about making the setup in.

Thanks for any help you can give me. I don't have that much money to invest so please keep that in mind. But any help/ideas would be very welcomed.

Most people would recommend at least one gallon per betta... it just makes them happier. In that case, places like walmart have this uh... I think it's called "aqua scene" tanks... the one gallons are sort of triangular and I believe the two gallons are hexes. The one gallon ones are ten bucks a pop at walmart. They come with a light built into the hood and an undergravel filter system.

I keep my males in two gallon kritter keepers. They're pretty cheap, and you can buy the light that goes with it. I had to cut a hole in the lid to accomodate the plug for the heater, but it wasn't difficult.

If you want to spend a little more money, go for the 2.5 gallon minibows... they look spiffy and make for a really nice tank. I have a five gallon minibow. It came with an internal filter that's got an adjustable flow... the betta in there doesn't seem to mind it at all.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

Right now I have 2 bettas. One is in a 2.5 glass tank and the other is in a 1 gallon bowl. I've had bettas in duel hexes and I did not like the results. My biggest problem was not that they were always fighting (duel hexes) but that disease spread so quickly from one side to the other. Within 2 weeks, they were both dead.

Some people who reeeally like bettas claim that they should always go in a filtered/heated tank. I've had my betta in a 2.5 gallon tank for 2 years. I had a box filter in for 1 of those years and, to tell the truth, it didn't make any difference, except it was a pain to clean out. Then I got an internal power filter and it was too big and too powerful. Heaters are not that important, if you keep the fish under a light, that's all the heat you need.

If you are looking for a cheap/space-saving setup. Then I'd reccommend a glass bowl. They make them in 1 gallon sizes, which are just enough room for a betta. They take up virtually no space and you can get the whole setup, including the fish, for under $10.

Good luck

- DJ :88)

Another idea would be to get two 2.5 AGA's (get the ones with the glass top), sit them side by side. Cut a small triangle out of the corner of the glass cover for air and feeding purposes. A piece of cardboard cut to size and fit in between the tanks is a good barrier for the 2 Bettas not to be in each other sight 24/7, and you can take it out from time to time to give them some "exercise". A 24" light strip fits perfectly on the top and really lights the Bettas colors up nicely This is a smaller version of what I have setup which is four 2.5 AGA's with 48" light is the only difference in my setup. Although I guess you could use 2 24". Here's a pic...Good luck!



Jessnick attached this image:

Jess and Nick, That's very, very nice looking!

How much was the light BTW?

The 48" light strip was $70, but is was cheaper than 2 24" lights.