20 gallon long vs 20 gallon tall for betta, okay to do both?

So I will start this thread with saying that I am probably overthinking this, as my brain is fried from studying. I'm also experienced with general fish keeping (10+ yrs experience, have had tanks from 5.5-75 gallons, planted tanks, monster tanks), nitrogen cycle, etc (I say this just to stop any concerns about making sure I cycle the tank first, etc.). Also, I'm allowed maximum 20 gallon sized aquariums at my apartment.

I found a 20 gallon tall set up for super cheap on CL with nice adjustable HOB filter, glass lid, and other stuff that I am very interested in as it is in good condition and an awesome price.

This is less of a "can this be done" and more of a "what was is better for the fish" thread.

Anyways, I've read threads on here saying that longer, shallower tanks are preferable for bettas, due to their long finnage and swim bladders not being designed for deeper water.

I am wanting to get a couple male bettas again, who will be rescued bettas from craigslist that are living in bowls or other poor set-ups. Most likely, they will be veiltails, not the bettas with the extra finnage (can't remember their name).

Ideally, I would get two 20 gallon longs. However, due to space issues, it would be FAR more preferable to get a 20 gallon long, and a 20 gallon high (I don't wan't to relocate my dogs bed/doggy stairs to my bed, as I think they are in the best spot now to avoid future injury as she gets older).

I am planning on both tanks being pretty heavily planted, one or both SA biotope (tannin stained water and IAL for both, native plants, etc.). No other tanks mates except some snails (MTS, ramshorn- I'm sure will get brought in on plants, maybe nerites) and maybe some shrimp down the line, since that is what seems to be best for them (I read that super long thread last night about bettas and tankmates).

Is it okay for 1 betta to be in a 20 gallon tall, and the other in the 20 gallon long? Am I being cruel or selfish for condemning one betta to a shorter, taller tank? To the point where it would be better just to get only the 20 gallon long tank and have a single betta? Or just get a 10 gallon instead since it is shallower? (I really wanted a 20 for the extra gallonage) Or that I should try much harder to rearrange things to see if a 2nd 20 gallon long should fit, even if it would ruin how nice of a layout everything currently is? I figure with substrate the height difference is only a few inches, but obviously length is 6" different. At least some of the plants will reach the surface, so there will be lots of resting areas.

Again, over thinking this probably, but I just want to give my fishies a good life since they are treated so badly normally and avoid future health problems due to bad husbandry decisions.

(I also just want confirmation before I buy this tank, as I don't want to buy something on impulse and regret it)

Thank you

 

So I will start this thread with saying that I am probably overthinking this, as my brain is fried from studying. I'm also experienced with general fish keeping (10+ yrs experience, have had tanks from 5.5-75 gallons, planted tanks, monster tanks), nitrogen cycle, etc (I say this just to stop any concerns about making sure I cycle the tank first, etc.). Also, I'm allowed maximum 20 gallon sized aquariums at my apartment.

I found a 20 gallon tall set up for super cheap on CL with nice adjustable HOB filter, glass lid, and other stuff that I am very interested in as it is in good condition and an awesome price.

This is less of a "can this be done" and more of a "what was is better for the fish" thread.

Anyways, I've read threads on here saying that longer, shallower tanks are preferable for bettas, due to their long finnage and swim bladders not being designed for deeper water.

I am wanting to get a couple male bettas again, who will be rescued bettas from craigslist that are living in bowls or other poor set-ups. Most likely, they will be veiltails, not the bettas with the extra finnage (can't remember their name).

Ideally, I would get two 20 gallon longs. However, due to space issues, it would be FAR more preferable to get a 20 gallon long, and a 20 gallon high (I don't wan't to relocate my dogs bed/doggy stairs to my bed, as I think they are in the best spot now to avoid future injury as she gets older).

I am planning on both tanks being pretty heavily planted, one or both SA biotope (tannin stained water and IAL for both, native plants, etc.). No other tanks mates except some snails (MTS, ramshorn- I'm sure will get brought in on plants, maybe nerites) and maybe some shrimp down the line, since that is what seems to be best for them (I read that super long thread last night about bettas and tankmates).

Is it okay for 1 betta to be in a 20 gallon tall, and the other in the 20 gallon long? Am I being cruel or selfish for condemning one betta to a shorter, taller tank? To the point where it would be better just to get only the 20 gallon long tank and have a single betta? Or just get a 10 gallon instead since it is shallower? (I really wanted a 20 for the extra gallonage) Or that I should try much harder to rearrange things to see if a 2nd 20 gallon long should fit, even if it would ruin how nice of a layout everything currently is? I figure with substrate the height difference is only a few inches, but obviously length is 6" different. At least some of the plants will reach the surface, so there will be lots of resting areas.

Again, over thinking this probably, but I just want to give my fishies a good life since they are treated so badly normally and avoid future health problems due to bad husbandry decisions.

(I also just want confirmation before I buy this tank, as I don't want to buy something on impulse and regret it)

Thank you

I think the 20 gallon tall should be fine too, as long as you provide enough resting places. Maybe put the betta with the smallest finnage or just the strongest betta in the tall tank

 

I have 19 bettas in a 55 gallon tank. They will not drown they are fish.

 

I've kept bettas (male and female) in 20 gallon tall, and long. No problems. Currently, one male in a 75g. Only issue in that tank are the golden dojos. I think he looks down his nose at them, when they shove him aside in search of food!!

 

I have 19 bettas in a 55 gallon tank. They will not drown they are fish.

Am jealous! Is your 55 gallon a community tank? Reason I'm asking is because my three girls are now in a 20 gallon long and I think they look fat, which is worrisome. I think they're eating the ADF food.

 

Am jealous! Is your 55 gallon a community tank? Reason I'm asking is because my three girls are now in a 20 gallon long and I think they look fat, which is worrisome. I think they're eating the ADF food.

They might go back in the 75 and I might put the 55 back in the garage. Lol. Yea I have glowlight tetras and cories with them. I had problems making sure adf's were getting fed. Had to chase the fish away during feeding. I ended going species only with them.

 

They might go back in the 75 and I might put the 55 back in the garage. Lol. Yea I have glowlight tetras and cories with them. I had problems making sure adf's were getting fed. Had to chase the fish away during feeding. I ended going species only with them.

I must be over-worrying! I had 16 ADFs in the 20 gallon long. Down to 12 healthy, (sometimes too fat). Lost 3 to disease and, sadly, I found the carcass of the the missing one, underneath the desk. Burned in my mind forever! Plus, 3 corries. I don't know why my 12 are alive! I guess I won't worry about it! Gotta love this hobby!

 

So I will start this thread with saying that I am probably overthinking this,...

Yes, you are. Go get the cheap tank.

 

I have 19 bettas in a 55 gallon tank. They will not drown they are fish.

Haha I know. I have had male bettas in a 55 gallon before as well, but did not know about the swim bladder thing so I got worried. Thanks for the feedback!

 

They might go back in the 75 and I might put the 55 back in the garage. Lol. Yea I have glowlight tetras and cories with them. I had problems making sure adf's were getting fed. Had to chase the fish away during feeding. I ended going species only with them.

Had the same issue with ADF's in a 29 (betta, bronze cories) and in a 10 gallon with a betta. The other fish were too fast at feeding time.

 

I think the 20 gallon tall should be fine too, as long as you provide enough resting places. Maybe put the betta with the smallest finnage or just the strongest betta in the tall tank

I definitely will have lots of plants and areas to rest, if I do get it. Thanks for the comment!

 

Yes, you are. Go get the cheap tank.

Haha you are correct, I certainly was! Although now I'm thinking of possibly giving saltwater a go in it instead, as I have a family member starting a saltwater tank now, which has got me thinking. Sadly the CL person never responded to my email, so it is probably gone. Thank you!

 

I managed to make space for a 2nd 20 gallon long!! I just moved my dresser in front of the closet light switch, it is still easy to turn the light on! Can't believe I didn't think of it before! So this whole thread was for nothing basically. Lol.

 

I managed to make space for a 2nd 20 gallon long!! I just moved my dresser in front of the closet light switch, it is still easy to turn the light on! Can't believe I didn't think of it before! So this whole thread was for nothing basically. Lol.

There's always from for just one more tank. Sometimes it just takes more thought than other times.

 

There's always from for just one more tank. Sometimes it just takes more thought than other times.

That is the start of a dangerous thought.

Random question to you and everyone else, when people refer to how tank mates can stress a betta out, do plecos count? I found someone who plans to rehome their baby bristlenose (green dragon, calico) plecos soon. They might even have a clown pleco, and also have several leopard frog plecos they want to rehome. Plecos are my next favorite after bettas and other catfish. I was considering getting one down the line. I had a longfin white tip bn in a 29 with a male betta before, and they were fine, but once again, that super long betta tank mates debate thread has me questioning things. Obviously there would be lots of driftwood, good filtration.

It'd ruin the biotope idea, but they like similar water conditions which is nice.

Side note, definitely leaning towards a nano reef for the 2nd 20 gallon after looking at some tanks on youtube. MTS strikes again!