Moving My Betta To A Bigger Tank/algae Problems?

Hello all,
I kind of have two questions.
First, I would like to move my betta male to a larger tank. He is currently in a 1.5 gallon- how should I go about safely moving him, and what size do you recommend? I'd like to put in new gravel/plants, as the ones I currently have are covered in algae.
That's my second question. My betas tank had been plagued by green algae since I first got him. How can I get better control of it? Should I get an oxygen bubbler? My tank does have a filter, but honestly it gets covered in algae so quick I'm questioning its quality.

Also, what is the ideal temp for a Bettas water?

The tank I have is a tetra cube aquarium kit with a size small whisper filter.

Thank you!

 

Okay so:

1. A lot of stores say Betta's prefer "small tanks" where this isn't really the case. They can however thrive in tanks as small as 5 to 10 gallons, which is perfectly adequate and recommended. In a 10 gallon tank, assuming the betta is not aggressive, you can even put in some shrimp and glo-light tetras whom have a very calm demeanor (I always reccomend them for betta-tankmates).

2. Algae is common in new tanks, and you will see the same problem in the bigger tank. Best cures are water changes and time. It is often called "new tank syndrome" for a reason. Algae can also come due to excess nitrates.

3. While I got out of keeping bettas for the time being, I know 78 degrees is common, but am unsure of the exact range.

 

Okay so:

1. A lot of stores say Betta's prefer "small tanks" where this isn't really the case. They can however thrive in tanks as small as 5 to 10 gallons, which is perfectly adequate and recommended. In a 10 gallon tank, assuming the betta is not aggressive, you can even put in some shrimp and glo-light tetras whom have a very calm demeanor (I always reccomend them for betta-tankmates).

2. Algae is common in new tanks, and you will see the same problem in the bigger tank. Best cures are water changes and time. It is often called "new tank syndrome" for a reason. Algae can also come due to excess nitrates.

3. While I got out of keeping bettas for the time being, I know 78 degrees is common, but am unsure of the exact range.

78-82

 

I myself just took a 40-gallon breeder tank and put two glass dividers in them and silicones them off to make three individual tanks. I then took about 2 gallons of water from an already cycled and clean looking good tank and used it to start the cycle in each of the three sections of the 40 gallon tank. I then introduced brand new tap water and my Water Conditioner in order to make my water at the parameters that I wanted to be. You can reduce the algae probably by simply adding an algae eater or take your decorations out and rub them off very thoroughly but the algae will probably grow back so you will have to repeat this over and over again

 

I myself just took a 40-gallon breeder tank and put two glass dividers in them and silicones them off to make three individual tanks. I then took about 2 gallons of water from an already cycled and clean looking good tank and used it to start the cycle in each of the three sections of the 40 gallon tank. I then introduced brand new tap water and my Water Conditioner in order to make my water at the parameters that I wanted to be. You can reduce the algae probably by simply adding an algae eater or take your decorations out and rub them off very thoroughly but the algae will probably grow back so you will have to repeat this over and over again

I've hear there isn't much bb just in the water and it's better to add existing media (filter items) and/or existing substrate, or if it wasn't an upgrade but a new tank to go with an old, put new media in with the old to seed and then put the new media in the new tank. The beneficial bacteria live more so in the filter. It could depend on the bioload of the old tank perhaps though.

 

Either works. If you look inside of a waterfall filter, the bacteria is already growing inside of it. Since I was using the same filters and changing out the cartridge is I didn't have to worry that much about what was growing inside the filter. If you're getting a new filter with your setup and it is probably a good idea to cycle the filter and not the water. If you catch my drift

 

Okay so first thank you all for your advice, I just had a few more questions and need a couple clarifications (I'm not the brightest and I'm a newb)

I've ordered an API 5 gallon tank, Tetra safe start, water conditioner, an air stone, thermometer and tank heater. I will get gravel and plants at my local pet store (it's cheaper).

Now, I got kind of confused when you started talking about what to put in the new tank. Should I put in old decorations/gravel from my first tank? I'm worried about them carrying over algae.

And could someone explain how to cycle the tank in very simple steps? I've looked at other posts and at the forums page on the nitrogen cycle but honestly I'm still so confused.

One more thing. I found an older video of my Betta and realized his find were far fuller and rounder in march. They're very ragged looking now... could that be fin rot or just poor care? I'll post a picture if I can.
And could the algae be hurting him?

As you can see, I started out very very wrong and I'm trying to do this right this time for the sake of my fish.





Here's my boy. It may be my imagination... I'm a sort of pet hypochondriac lol. He's still quite active (considering the poor things tiny tank)

One other thing I should mention. I definitely overfed him. I should only feed him two pellets, but I often just threw in a pinch carelessly. There's probably a lot of uneaten food in there... another reason I want to move him to another tank, although I'm changing out the gravel rn so that should help. I feed aqueon Betta food.


Thank you all! Everyone here is so knowledgeable

 

Algae honestly isn't that bad a thing unless it has taken over the entire tank and doesn't leave enough oxygen for the fish. The fact that you will have an air stone is a good thing, and with regular maintenance and controlled lighting I can't imagine the little you would transfer over would cause a problem. Some aglae in a tank can actually be a good thing.

I would transfer everything to try to cycle the new tank as quick as possible to give your Betta a stable home, fill it with the clean dechlorinated water and acclimatize him slowly and that will all be a first start to helping him with possible fin rot.

If you think the gravel might be too dirty with uneaten food you could get an unused colander and rinse the stones out with the old tank water first. I feed more that two pellets a day, and I very between different brand pellets and frozen and freeze dried foods, but it can depend on portion sizes.

Just reread about you throwing a pinch in carelessly, as in a pinch of pellets like straight from the container? It's a good does to soak the food in tank water first so the food doesn't expand in his stomach, and you can guage better how much to feed him, a rule is that their stomach is about the size of one of their eyes so don't feed more than that once fully expanded
And/or some people say to give them a just slightly rounded/curved belly. Just enough to notice they've eaten. And a fasting day is highly recommended.

 

You don't need to move the decorations if you don't want to. Move the betta, the filter, and get a nerite snail and you won't have algae issues

 

Fishbeans, thank you so much! I will soak the food from now on.
I rinsed part of the gravel and added about 60% new gravel as well as did a 30% water change w/h API stress coat. I changed the filter cartridge too. For now his tank is cleaner and much more livable. But it's still too cold, the thermometer and heater will be here Thursday.

I also ordered a API testing kit.

Junebug, thank you for the suggestion! I researched nerite snails and will be picking one up on Saturday.

I can't thank you all enough for your help!

 

Fishbeans, thank you so much! I will soak the food from now on.
I rinsed part of the gravel and added about 60% new gravel as well as did a 30% water change w/h API stress coat. I changed the filter cartridge too. For now his tank is cleaner and much more livable. But it's still too cold, the thermometer and heater will be here Thursday.

I also ordered a API testing kit.

Junebug, thank you for the suggestion! I researched nerite snails and will be picking one up on Saturday.

I can't thank you all enough for your help!

Wait, don’t change the filter cartridge! Just rinse it in conditioned water. The cartridge is where all the good bacteria lives, so if your tank did cycle in the past you’ll now have to cycle the tank all over again. Bettas have a low bioload but in a tank that small ammonia and nitrite can spike very quickly.

 

Just wanted to update with the new tank. Everything worked except the air stone, so heading off to petsmart tommorow for a better one.