Deciding on a tank

Okay, so I've been out of bettas for a few years now, but I really want to get a new one. I've gotten rid of all my tanks except my 75gal, my 20gal long, and my eye tank (bought it at a thrift store for $15...it's basically the bowfronts of two tanks siliconed together to form the shape of an eye and mounted on a wooden base...haven't ever set it up because it'll take a massive custom build for everything from the stand to the lighting to the filtration). I had used the 20gal long as a betta tank a couple of times, but the bettas kept jumping out (only ever had one in there at a time, obviously) because I couldn't put a lid on it due to the type of lighting I had on there.

So anyway, I'm wanting to get a 5gal for a betta. I'm torn what tank to get, though. I have had a Marineland Hex 5 before and loved it ( ). But then I saw this tank and went . I think that would be an awesome betta tank, and it costs about the same as the Hex 5. I also kind of like this tank: .

I think that with small tanks, the tank itself is as much a work of art/decoration as the decor/'scape and fish are, so I like unusually shaped tanks and tanks with good visual appeal. Any thoughts on the three I posted or suggestions on others? I want to keep it between $50-75 for the tank (obviously, the cheaper the better ;-) ) and the smallest I'll go is 5 gallons.

Also, I noticed that a lot of the tanks are coming with LEDs now. I've been out of the game for a while, so I'm not familiar with LEDs. Are they suitable for live plants? Nothing with crazy high light requirements, but I always live plant my tanks. I know I can switch the bulb out in the Hex 5 for a fluorescent that will work just fine for live plants.

 

HI bassbonediva, welcome back again!

OK, yes LEDs are suitable for a few low-light plants. Not for high-medium light plants, but.....
You can read this article by Dolfan here:https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...-set-up-a-low-light-low-tech-planted-tank.24/

I'd go with the second one. The Marineland Portrait glass LED Aquarium.

 

Any particular reason to go with the second one? Just curious. I do really like the look of it.

If I could find it cheaper, I like this one, too:

 

No particular reason, I just like cube/rectangular shaped tanks better than the gimmicky (in my opinion) crescent/hexagon/octagon or whatever shaped tanks, because it obscures the fishes shape more than a normal rectangle/cube.

I like that one too.....

 

I agree. A rectangular tank would allow more viewing of your betta. Who would want to obscure the view of such a beautiful fish.

 

I actually have the Marine-land Portrait 5 Gallon in my living room. It holds one Platy (though will be upgrading to a large new aquarium soon for him and the fry I am growing).This aquarium is beautiful and worth the cost for the hidden filters, beautiful lighting, and curves instead of edges. One thing though, for a Betta fish, the filter output current is pretty strong. But here is a comment that solved a problem for water output for their Betta that is very clever.


Hope this helps! I will probably post some pictures later on this thread for you if you have any questions

 

I'm usually drawn to HMPKs, to a strong filter isn't a huge deal. If I do end up with a HM, I can always baffle the filter output easily enough.

I'm really digging that Portrait 5. I just need to measure the height of the space I have for it to make sure it'll fit with no issues. CoolChazz14 , do you happen to know how tall the tank is to the top of the light fixture?

Just found this...wish it came in a 5gal!!

 

bassbonediva, that 3 gallon is amazing! For a filter I'd just do a sponge filter, that'll be fine.

 

bassbonediva, that 3 gallon is amazing! For a filter I'd just do a sponge filter, that'll be fine.

I'm just not a fan of putting bettas in anything smaller than 5 gallons. I know it can be done and that most bettas are perfectly happy in them, I just am not a fan. Having kept bettas in everything from little tiny cubes (you know the ones I'm talking about lol) to a 20gal long, I've come to the conclusion that 5 gallons is just about perfect. Not too big, but not ridiculously small.

 

I'm just not a fan of putting bettas in anything smaller than 5 gallons. I know it can be done and that most bettas are perfectly happy in them, I just am not a fan. Having kept bettas in everything from little tiny cubes (you know the ones I'm talking about lol) to a 20gal long, I've come to the conclusion that 5 gallons is just about perfect. Not too big, but not ridiculously small.

I agree. I personally don't like seeing anything in less than a 5g, unless it's a snail or a shrimp. As of now I'm reading a book about "miniature aquariuma" which I'll add to my growing list of reviewed books here on FL, and most of the advice is pure rubbish.

 

Hold on I'll give you the measurements

About 17 1/2 inches from bottom to light fixture bassbonediva

Will this fit for you?

 

Will this fit for you?

I think it might. I'm not home yet, so I can't check. I'll let you know, though.

 

The light fixture can also move up to make water changes and maintenance easier so I would also want to add in a couple inches more for pleasure

 

I have my betta in a 10G, and he swims in every inch of the space. Do you have space to consider a larger tank?

 

I have my betta in a 10G, and he swims in every inch of the space. Do you have space to consider a larger tank?

Bettas are fine in a 5g.....

 

I have my betta in a 10G, and he swims in every inch of the space. Do you have space to consider a larger tank?

I have the space for one, I just don't want one. As I stated in my OP, I've had bettas in just about every size and shape tank from a 20gal on down to the little tiny betta "tanks" you buy at Walmart. I like the 5gal size as it's big enough to give the betta room to swim, but not so large that it takes up too much counter space (as this tank would be going on the bar that it between my kitchen and dining room).

Besides which, I want a tank that is aesthetically pleasing, not just in 'scape/decor, but also in itself. 10gal tanks aren't known for being all too aesthetically/architecturally pleasing, as they're just glass rectangular boxes with frames. I do have a nifty stainless steel-framed 9gal tank, but I am reticent to use it because of how narrow it is from front to back. The amount of turbulence caused by the filter is significant, even for a HMPK.

Any experience with the Fluval Spec? It's a 5.6gal and is longer and lower. It's a little more than I wanted to spend, but I'm having trouble with where I want to put the tank. The space is about 18" tall.

I like this one, too:

I need something with at least a semblance of a lid. We have two adult male cats and they get up on the counter all the time.

 

I've always thought cube tanks are pretty awesome - the only ones available in my area are waaaaay overpriced (like, is making a cube tank really 3x harder than a rectangle the same capacity, because they cost 3x as much?!) but I think they have a great sense of balance.

Your "eye" tank also sounds like a great setup for two bettas; you'd have to put something opaque into one/both tanks along the back wall so the fish couldn't see each other. I can see how it would require a special stand though, and even a special location - somewhere you could see the tank 360 degrees. (Cue s of awesome slowly-rotating stands like a revolving restaurant.)

 

Your "eye" tank also sounds like a great setup for two bettas; you'd have to put something opaque into one/both tanks along the back wall so the fish couldn't see each other. I can see how it would require a special stand though, and even a special location - somewhere you could see the tank 360 degrees. (Cue s of awesome slowly-rotating stands like a revolving restaurant.)

The eye tank is a bit of a conundrum. It's about a 38gal capacity tank and is fairly deep (30" or so). It is literally the curved fronts of two 46gal bowfront tanks siliconed together. It's also fairly narrow (less than 18" from front to back). If/when I ever get around to setting it up, I'll have to build custom filtration, lighting and stand for it.

removed

 

I'm actually in the market for a new tank for our betta too and looking at some of the same ones suggested here to you so I'd be interested to hear which one you go with and what you think of it.