Best Aquarium To House Betta Fish?

Hello, I wanted to buy a second aquarium solely for a Betta fish. I have done some research and was thinking about MarineLand 5 Gallon Portrait Glass Aquarium Kit. I don't necessarily have a budget and would like a tank that a Betta fish can thrive in. Is this tank sufficient or is there a better one?

 

I would recommend at least 10 gallon for a Betta. With 5 gallon, u r scraping the bare minimum. U want your Betta to be happy, not just surviving.

Also make sure it's well planted and have some floating plants, Betta likes the cover.

 

I've got mine in a 7 but I wouldn't go lower, it's well planted and he's with CPDs and RCS.

 

I have heard that shrimps occasionally become food for the Bettas, so I would see how the betta reacts before putting in shrimp. Some mind them, some don't.

 

I've got mine in a 7 but I wouldn't go lower, it's well planted and he's with CPDs and RCS.

Do you have an aquarium kit?

 

Do you have an aquarium kit?

"AquadistrI Home 25 Aquarium" if that's what you meant, 6.6 Gallons.

 

I would say 2.5 gallons is the minimum and 5 is all you'll ever need. Mine is in a planted 3.5 and is doing well after 15 months.

 

Well I guess if u r following the an inch a gallon rule for fish, a 2.5 gallon tanks is enough for a 1.5 inch Betta, but personally I think my Betta would be more happy with more swimming space, therefore I side with those that say 5 gallon is a minimum.

 

AquaticJ

 

AquaticJ

He doesn't get a vote. Lol.

 

2.5 gallons is the BARE minimum that would be needed to keep your betta healthy. In anything smaller there is too much risk of fluctuations and the fish would have hardly any room.
3 gallons IMO is the minimum to keep a betta happy and stimulated. In anything smaller there isn’t much to interact with. However this also depends on the betta. This is the bare minimum for keeping your betta with a snail. Shrimp are not recommended because they will be stressed from the lack of room to feel they are secure from the betta.
5 gallons is the minimum amount can find as a readily available starter kit. Also in smaller tanks finding a filter that is effective without having too much flow is difficult. Even a sponge filter produces current in such a small space. This is the bare minimum for keeping shrimp with a betta, though positive results are not a gurantee.
10 gallons is the minimum for keeping fish as tank mates with a betta, and good results are not guranteed.

I currently have a betta in a 3ishg (trying to upgrade him to a 5g) and another in a 10g. The one in the 10 gallon is much happier, and has shown sharper cognitive ability. The other one also seems happy, but will often become bored. Also having that tank planted is challenging because any decaying leaves are instantly problematic

 

I don't intend to have any shrimps or tank mates for the Marineland 5 Gallon. I would like to buy an aquarium kit like Marineland's so if there is a better, bigger gallon aquarium kit you know, please recommend.

 

They have kits up into the 75 gallon range but I wouldn't imagine you want to go quite that big for a single betta. It would be the happiest betta on the planet though. Lol

 

I have had two betta tanks, a 10 gallon and a 5. My 10 has been perfect and lovely and my betta grew huge with the size, and my 5 has had troubles that I can't even figure out why, and in general feels too small. I am now upgrading the 5 gallon to a 20 long, and going am to be adding some buddies. Personally, I'll never go less than a 10 gallon for bettas now that I have experience with both.

 

A great all in one kit for is the Aqueon Aqua Spring 8.8 ( I think they also make an 11 gallon ) it has the built in light and waterfall feature for low flow which bettas prefer and even witht he basic led's under the waterfall i've been able to grow 2 large swords and some bacopa using root tabs and Nilog Thrive along with wc's every 5-7 days. I also have another betta in a heavily planted 5.5 with 5 Ember Tetras and an AC20 and everyone is doing great!

 

I don't intend to have any shrimps or tank mates for the Marineland 5 Gallon. I would like to buy an aquarium kit like Marineland's so if there is a better, bigger gallon aquarium kit you know, please recommend.

Fluval edge (6g)
Fluval ChI (5.5g)
Top fin 10
Top fin 20
Fluval FLEX (15g or 9g)
Fluval Vista (8.5g)
BiOrb flow (8g)
Aqueon 15
Aqueon Aqua Springs (8.8g)
Aqua Culture 6.5
Top Fin Imagine (5g)
Marineland Biowheel (20g)
Fluval Spec V (16g or 5g)

 

That's a nice tank. I just went through this and ordered a different one two days ago....so I'll share my thoughts and why I chose this Penn Plax 7.5 gallon Radius (but it also comes in 5 and 10 gal. Same price point-ish.

Caveat I don't have it yet! Just my rational for choosing what I chose.



The fish in my icon is in a 20L because I wanted to do a heavily planted blackwater tank. This "new" one I just ordered is for another fish in my kitchen. He's in a 5.5 and the footprint for the 7.7 isn't much bigger and still fits on my kitchen desk.

Remember your old school 5.5 gallon is LONG (side to side) versus TALL.

The Marineland is TALL.

The Marineland reminds me of the Fluval Spec with the filtration built INTO a partition inside THE TANK which sounds good at first, BUT it takes up space from the fish's water swimming allowance. You can see it in one of the photos on Amazon on the link below.

Petsmart has a knock off and it's the same. A 5 gallon that actually only gives the fish around 3-4 gallons to swim in. I bought that one and returned it.

Also the Fluval Spec is NARROW in width so it doesn't look fun to me as a fish.I bought that one and returned it, too. AND the lid came cracked.

But here's a good video from a guy who did a blackwater in a Fluval Spec 5 g and how you can easily hack the filtration. I imagine the Marineland would be the same because all fiters can be souped up. It was my inspiration for my 20L (plant -wise). This is the set up then he has a 6 month update on it being grown in and how he does maintenance in another video. His fish seems very happy. You can see the partition and how he puts the media and heater in.

This Marineland is TALL versus wide/long side to side which...would not be a real issue for my Bettas because they ALL travel up and down but really prefer going side to side if I'm being honest so I wanted one that was longer side to side instead of taller. But the Marineland looks really nice so ....

Marineland 5 G is 17.2 in. H (with base) x 9.625 W x 9.625 L (side to side). Again, the rear filter compartment is included in those measurements, and takes away about 2 inches from the actual space for your fish, plants, etc. See the photo.

The dimensions on Amazon are WRONG they are the dimensions for the BOX!

Penn Plax 5 g is 11 inches high by 8 3/4 inches wide and 13 ¾ inches long.The 7.5 gallon that I ordered is 11 3 /4”H x 10 1/4 W x 15 3/4 Long

Also I'm weird about noise and do NOT want to hear humming or anything from a filter so I just want the box and hack my own filters. Although the Penn Plax filter you get is fine.

That Marineland filtration is better than the Penn Plax I guess if you're not going to hack the filtration.BUT it's in that little compartment so it's challenging to mess with.

There's a very good review on the Marineland on Amazon you can read by a customer giving a lot of detail. IT's where I learned about the actual size but I could see it was tall instead of long like I wanted.



THIS Hygger one is very cool looking too, but the background is undetachable, you only get 6 actual gallons of swimming box, and the 19 inches long was just too long for me so I passed it by.

Not to confuse you or anything LOL.




Enjoy whichever one you chose! They're all nice but of course bigger is always better for fish. Fish aren't interested in style LOL. Even Bettas love swimming as far as possible! And that means side to side like they're traveling to a destination. I always feel guilty seeing my juvenile in the 20 long look disappointed when he has to make a turn at the end of the tank!

I will admit it may be slightly challenging to cycle a new tank for just one Betta because his BIO will be small but I had media and didn't have much of an issue, myself. I would suggest the fish-less ammonia method to get your new tank cycled the quickest and most efficiently. You can actually start TODAY in a BUCKET using media from your existing fish tank while you're deciding so you'll have a jump on things...using ammonia or fish food.

 

IF you're interested in bigger (seems you indicated that) you don't really need a "kit". Half the time IMO the light isn't enough or the filter isn't to my liking or something. Just get the tank and full hood and throw an Aqua Clear on the back (HOB filter) - the quietest IMO and the flow is adjustable you don't need to do baffles etc. OR a sponge filter is the BEST IMO because the fish doesn't have to hear HUMMING and VIBRATION because the air pump is external.

I also had a canister but too nervous to use it since I'm in a second floor condo and already flooded out my BFF downstairs last year! (not fish related LOL)

Here's a 20 L and my juvie. The tank is only a couple months old.

He's ALL OVER the place all day long enjoying it.

OH and if you're interested and have room, I LOVE this heater I finally ended up with. Many others overheated or had limitations that didn't work for me - even the Fluval E series.

I only need one in the 20L, the smaller tank is fine room temp because I live in FL and don't keep my condo cold. So it's a constant 78 - 80 but I have an emergency one avail. I also have a 10 gallon tank that rarely needs the heater activated.Despite what people claim, the lights DO heat up the tank a bit.

I put a florescent plant light on the 20L instead of the new popular LEDs that's why its a little pink. I might have to replace the Penn Plax light....we'll see.

 

I have the marineland 5 gallon portrait kit, the filteration lacks a bit, but I had goldfish in it, lol so I imagine a betta would be fine. You can easily put shrimps with it if you want, if he eats them it's just live food for him. Honestly, if you like the way the tank looks(it is classy looking) go for it.

 

IF you're interested in bigger (seems you indicated that) you don't really need a "kit". Half the time IMO the light isn't enough or the filter isn't to my liking or something. Just get the tank and full hood and throw an Aqua Clear on the back (HOB filter) - the quietest IMO and the flow is adjustable you don't need to do baffles etc. OR a sponge filter is the BEST IMO because the fish doesn't have to hear HUMMING and VIBRATION because the air pump is external.

I also had a canister but too nervous to use it since I'm in a second floor condo and already flooded out my BFF downstairs last year! (not fish related LOL)

Here's a 20 L and my juvie. The tank is only a couple months old.

He's ALL OVER the place all day long enjoying it.

OH and if you're interested and have room, I LOVE this heater I finally ended up with. Many others overheated or had limitations that didn't work for me - even the Fluval E series.

I only need one in the 20L, the smaller tank is fine room temp because I live in FL and don't keep my condo cold. So it's a constant 78 - 80 but I have an emergency one avail. I also have a 10 gallon tank that rarely needs the heater activated.Despite what people claim, the lights DO heat up the tank a bit.

I put a florescent plant light on the 20L instead of the new popular LEDs that's why its a little pink. I might have to replace the Penn Plax light....we'll see.

Agreed. Kits make things easier, but they often aren’t worth the money and the products aren’t as good, and they usually come with stuff you don’t need. Sometime I’d like to sit down and compose a small aquarium shopping list with links to different products. Only problem is that I’ve never really owned a small aquarium, so I don’t have experience with what the best products are.

 

I have the Marineland 5gal portrait with a betta and love it! It is a bit harder to work on the aquascape because of how narrow it is, so keep that in mind if you intend on going crazy with your decorations. But very good quality overall, good filter, and visually attractive. For shrimp and snails I think it would work great, but I do understand wanting something bigger!

 

I love my fluval spec v and so has any Berta I’ve kept in there. You just need to slow the flow down some with a sponge.
Same thing my GF and betta are real happy with the fluval spec 3 gallon
And keeping shrimp with a betta is all up to the betas temper.
Also 10 gallon is definitely not the minimum for a beta.

 

As far as kits go, PetSmart has kits with hood,light,and filter as small as one gallon. I wouldn't recommend it for a Betta though . My 3.5 is a kit from PetSmart called the Enchant. It has a good filter and the light is good enough to grow plants like Anubias and Java Fern. An adult long finned Betta doesn't need a lot of swimming space because they don't swim around all that much. The older they get, the more time they spend resting on or under things. A 10 gallon would be Overkill and a 5 would be as much as needed.

 

I had my first betta in a 5 gallon and it really wasn't big enough IMO but at the time I couldn't upgrade. My current betta lives in a 15 gallon fluval flex with a few shrimp and snails. The fluval flex is a kit and the only equipment you need to buy is a heater and thermometer. My betta is much happier in the 15 gallon and I would never keep a betta in anything less than 10 gallons now.

 

I personally go by a five gallon tank for one betta, regardless of the type excluding the king varieties.

 

I was a rank beginner when I got my betta and I did hours and hours of research on this very subject. I finally settled on the Marina LED 10-gallon aquarium kit, because it came with everything except the heater. I wanted at least a 10 gallon, everything I'd read said bettas are happier in bigger tanks. It has been perfect for me and my betta Simon - he is a happy, happy little fish! Bigger tanks are actually easier to maintain water parameters etc., I have no trouble with this one but my 2-gallon snail tank has water quality issues all the time (Simon didn't care for the mystery snail I got to be his buddy so now Varys the snail has his own tank). Here's the link for the Marina 10-gal kit:



I did do some modifications on it because I didn't like the hood or the light. I replaced the hood with a DIY sliding glass lid that could slide lengthwise from the short sides instead of lifting on the long side (Steve Poland has a great video and I'm not handy so if I could do this anyone can:

) so I could put the filter on the end side, not on the long side (see my video) Very inexpensive too. Here's what mine looks like:

. Pls disregard the vigorous water flow bc that's on the highest level before Simon went into the tank. Much much less flow on the lowest setting. I got an adjustable aquarium light that clips on the top.

Modifications aside, I love this tank! The filtering system is a Marina 15S, it works great for a betta because with the adjustable filtration strength I can put it on the lowest setting and the betta doesn't get buffeted around. Also it has three cartridges that you replace one at a time so there are always two cycled filters in the tank at all times. I couldn't be happier with this tank.

For the heater I tried about 8 heaters and hated every one until I settled on the Cobalt Neo-Therm 50W for the 10 gallon tank and the 25W for the 2 gallon snail tank.

Good luck, let us know what you end up getting!

 

Currently have a male Betta in a 20 gallon and a female in a 10 gallon. In my experience, Bettas love to explore around, so I think the bigger the tank, the happier the Betta will be. But I guess that goes for any fish XD

 

Personally I have my female betta in a 20 long with lots of plants. She's a red plakat. Idk, a lot of people go with 5 or 10 gallon tanks but I've seen my girl so happily dashing back and forth in a longer tank. So much more active and more for her to explore. I have a bunch of Australian rainbows in with her and it creates kind of a dither. If it were up to me I'd go find a new or used longer tank and throw a HOB and any light and go from there. I've always found my bettas to love life more with more room.

 

Personally I have my female betta in a 20 long with lots of plants. She's a red plakat. Idk, a lot of people go with 5 or 10 gallon tanks but I've seen my girl so happily dashing back and forth in a longer tank. So much more active and more for her to explore. I have a bunch of Australian rainbows in with her and it creates kind of a dither. If it were up to me I'd go find a new or used longer tank and throw a HOB and any light and go from there. I've always found my bettas to love life more with more room.

Plakats are different--They swim around a lot more than Male Splendens do.

 

Hello all, thank you for your feedback. I have went ahead and bought Penn Plax 7.5 Gallon Radius Curved Corner Glass Aquarium Kit

I liked the look of the tank, as it's curved glass and looks contemporary and sleek. Also, I agreed with the overall consensus that a bigger tank would be better for the Betta. I bought it for ~$69 from Amazon

 

Very nice, and good deal as well. Can't wait to see it with its new resident

 

Oh nice! I think you'll like it. Mine came a week early (Tuesday) packed great with no breakage. The filter should be fine (but I subbed a sponge filter with air pump only because I had it in his old tank so I wouldn't have to cycle.). The light all the reviews complained about is not a super bright plant type light but it's still fine and you can see everything in the tank. I changed it out for a Finnex FugeRay Planted+ Aquarium LED Light Plus Moonlights, Cliplight but it's not really necessary.

There's about a 2 inch opening behind the lid so if you think your fish will jump out you can just rest a clear ruler on it. Or even a strip of parchment or wax paper. That's what I have there now. People complained that the lid is plastic but I like it because I'm not afraid I'll break it all the time.

Hope you enjoy your new tank! My fish was so excited he kept trying to fight himself in the reflection of the blue background I had placed leaning up against the tank so I had to find something else and went with some temporary u haul green packing foam sheets that have no reflection LOL.

I put a cheap pre set heater in but don't use it unless it goes below 77 and then only for an hour because I'm worried it will fry him if I leave it on. You'll have a chance to test it without the fish to see what you think.

Try and use some media from your existing tank so you're not cycling for a month, perhaps!. I still used Prime and Stability and am testing just to be safe and my parameters are unchanged.

 

Interesting! I have a 5g, but will prob upgrade to an 8g Fluval before I get a betta after reading. I bet they'd be super happy in a 40g, but that's still a lot of space to be limited to a betta. I've read all the accounts of those who've moved bettas to a larger tank, and they've said how happy their bettas were. But I think they are ok in smaller tanks too, as long as params and conditions are kept up.

 

Post some pics once u set him up in his new home XD