SETTING UP A 5-GALLON BETTA TANK
CHECK-OUT AQUARIUM (FISH TANK) CARE FOR A MORE DETAILED LOOK ON GENERAL FISH TANK CARE.
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First things first.
Fish should never be kept in tanks lower than 19 liters (5 gallons).
When there is no space for him to swim, your betta can die of ammonia poisoning and depression. It is common for bettas to be sick when being sold because of how they are kept.
Here are the steps I recommend you follow.
A 5-gallon aquarium with a lid (or if you don’t have a lid don’t fill it to the top because Bettas tend to jump at least 3 inches ) and volume of 19 liters (5 gallons) is recommended. We recommend the Aqueon LED MiniBow Small Aquarium Fish Tank or the GloFish Aquarium Kit Fish Tank these are both great 5 gallon tanks, which are both Amazon’s choice, in different styles.
It is recommended that you buy at least a heater something like the PULACO 25W Small Aquarium Betta Heater is a great option.
You should buy a filter. You can use a Pawfly 3 Pack Aquarium Nano Bio Sponge Filter sponge filter are great because they develope good bacteria and most sponge filters include an air pump which oxygenates your water. But mechanical filters like hanging waterfall filter are super great because most already include a biosponge and these types of filters actually help clean the water, hanging waterfall filters such as the Tetra Whisper IQ Power Filter this is an excellent silent filter and also works for 10gallon tanks or the Aqueon QuietFlow 10 E Internal Aquarium Fish Tank Power Filter. Be careful with getting filters that create strong currents. Bettas don’t like strong currents and it will stress them out. I actually use a sponge and waterfall filter in my Betta tank.
Buy substrate that isn’t sharp like lava stone balls. We recommend Glofish Aquarium Gravel, Solid Black, 5-Pound Bag it is an excellent choice for a betta fish tank. Rinsing the gravel before using is recommended but not with soap or detergent, just water.
Invest in a dozen live plants like these (anubias rotala jawa swordplants, etc.)
Get an MQ 8 in Submersible LED Aquarium Light and a timer.
Hardscape, such as draftwood and rocks, can be collected or purchased.
Here’s how it’s done.
Install the heater and filter in the tank and fill it with 20% or 30% tap water.
You can place the substrate and the hardscape however you like.
Then put in some snails and antichlore such as Seachem Prime Fresh and Saltwater Conditioner which, in my opinion is the best in the market and start the filter.
After 4 weeks, you will have your fish cycle ready to go. You can also use SEACHEM STABILITY which will help in the process. With Seachem fish and other aquatic species may be introduced at any time as long as dosage is maintained for 7 days.
Make sure that the temperature is between 26 and 28 Celsius.
The time has come to buy your first betta for the aquarium. Don’t buy tankmates like fish. Shrimp are OK, snails are OK.
You should gradually introduce your new pet to the water over the next 90 minutes adding drops of the tank water into the “fish store bag” the betta was placed in.
Release him into his new world.
Feeding him brine shrimp and live food is nice, but frozen food is OK as well.
Good quality food can be found in a few brands (betta pellets).
As long as you follow these instructions, the betta should be fine.
MAINTAINING A 5 GALLON BETTA TANK
Cleaning a Betta fish aquarium.
Let’s talk about how to maintain a five-gallon aquarium with a betta now that we know that this beautiful fish is suitable for this size aquarium.
There is still some care required for betta fish, despite their size. A betta fish tank must be cleaned regularly if you plan on keeping this type of fish.
Betta tanks can suffer nitrate and toxin overload despite a quality aquarium filter. The problem arises if you don’t clean them regularly or change their water frequently. Ultimately, this can be fatal.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about cleaning a Betta fish tank. Aside from this, you will learn a few other tips that will make the process as smooth as possible.
To keep the aquarium clean, you should do a partial water change of about 25%-40% every week. You should also add a filter that is suited to bettas and a heater to keep the water clean and at a stable temperature. The temperature should be kept between 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally, make sure to feed your betta a healthy diet of small, high-quality pellets two to four pellets, once or twice per day. Pellets expand when placed in water and are very filling for your betta fish. Once or twice a week, they can be fed freeze-dried or fresh food instead of pellets.
Since you have to change the water regularly and more often than a larger tank, it’s actually more complicated than taking care of a 10 gallon or 20-gallon aquarium.
Should you remove your fish from the tank while cleaning it?
If you are cleaning your aquarium, it is suggested that you keep the betta fish in the aquarium since removing them can stress them — only remove them if you are changing at least 80% (which really isn’t necessary in a 5 gallon tank where 25% to 40% water removal is sufficient). In the case that you do decide to do an (80%) water change, remove the Betta from the aquarium and place it in a large bowl or mug filled with water from the aquarium, making sure to cover it with something breathable.
Should you clean the filter at the same time as the aquarium?
The Tetra Whisper IQ Power Filter or the Aqueon QuietFlow 10 E Internal Aquarium Fish Tank Power Filter are the best aquarium filters to use for your betta tank. However, you shouldn’t clean the filter while you change the water. Changing filters while changing the water can have disastrous effects on a healthy tank ecosystem. Filters are full of beneficial bacteria colonies that create a healthy ecosystem and will be there supporting the ecosystem after you change your water. You should clean your filter days after a water change.
These tips will help you take care of your five-gallon aquarium in order for your Betta to live a longer and healthier life.
