1 Gallon Tank New Betta Fish Owner In Need of Advice!

Hi! Im Itzy and I'm a new Betta fish owner. My mother bought me a new Betta fish recently and I've been doing a deep dive into all this new information but it is overwhelming. I have a temporary space for my new Betta (his name is Happy) but I want to make sure this is adiquet until I can buy him a bigger tank. I had a 1 gal tank lying around from my guppy fish that passed away last year and I filled it with gravel at the bottom and some temporary plastic plants. It also has a Whisper filter and bubbler. I do have a conditioner (Seachem Prime) that I added a small drop off and I also put in a small drop of Easy Balance Plus. I am nervous that this might be to much for him so it would be awesome if anyone had any advice about that. I also want to start saving up for a better cost efficient tank as well as maybe some live plants. Any recommendations that well keep Happy healthy and... well, happy?

 

Welcome to fishlore!

In a tank that small, you will have to do daily 50% once or twice a day to keep the levels down. I suggest you get a bigger tank ASAP as a with a bigger tank, it will be easier to control the parameters. It's difficult to cycle and control parameters in small tanks and most filters and heaters are too strong. Bettas need a minimum of 2.5 gallons but I suggest a 5 gallons as it will be easier to cycle and control the paramenters.

By the way, have you checked out used tanks before? I heard that they can be quite cheap! Maybe you could check those out and see if you can get an old 5 gallon tank for a cheap price. I think there are cheap tanks sold on craiglist or facebook. Or you could wait for the a dollar a gallon sale at big chain stores (unused tanks). I'm not sure when it happens or how much tanks can be though as I don't have chain stores around me. I think there are also some cheap 5 gallon/ 2.5 gallon kits at chain stores that maybe you could check out.

Also, do check that the decorations are not sharp and will not tear your betta's fins! If can can, also buy a water test kit! I suggest the API freshwater master kit. It is a little expansive though.

Do read up on these guides. Hope I helped !

Betta Care Guide | Betta Fish Forum | 226842

READ FIRST: Freshwater Beginner Important Topics | Freshwater Aquarium Discussion Forum | 14296

https://www.fishlore.com/acclimating-tropicalfish.htm

Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle

 

Get an eye dropper, it takes 2 drops of prime per gallon to dechlorinate.
Why are you using easy balance?
does the one-gallon tank have a heater?
He is better off in the one-gallon tank than he was at the store, but try to get a 5-gallon or larger, heated tank ASAP.
You dont neeed to run the bubbler, bettas breath air from the surface of the water, and he will do better without the extra current caused by the bubbler.

You should consider keeping the one-gallon tank without gravel, everything you add to that small tank means less water, and more concentrated ammonia. and gravel will only create gaps for detritus to get trapped in and create more ammonia in you uncycled tank.

 

Welcome to fishlore!

In a tank that small, you will have to do daily 50% once or twice a day to keep the levels down. I suggest you get a bigger tank ASAP as a with a bigger tank, it will be easier to control the parameters. It's difficult to cycle and control parameters in small tanks and most filters and heaters are too strong. Bettas need a minimum of 2.5 gallons but I suggest a 5 gallons as it will be easier to cycle and control the paramenters.

By the way, have you checked out used tanks before? I heard that they can be quite cheap! Maybe you could check those out and see if you can get an old 5 gallon tank for a cheap price. I think there are cheap tanks sold on craiglist or facebook. Or you could wait for the a dollar a gallon sale at big chain stores (unused tanks). I'm not sure when it happens or how much tanks can be though as I don't have chain stores around me. I think there are also some cheap 5 gallon/ 2.5 gallon kits at chain stores that maybe you could check out.

Also, do check that the decorations are not sharp and will not tear your betta's fins! If can can, also buy a water test kit! I suggest the API freshwater master kit. It is a little expansive though.

Do read up on these guides. Hope I helped !

Betta Care Guide | Betta Fish Forum | 226842

READ FIRST: Freshwater Beginner Important Topics | Freshwater Aquarium Discussion Forum | 14296

https://www.fishlore.com/acclimating-tropicalfish.htm

Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle

Thank you! It does help! I've seen some at PetSmart but they all go from $170 to $300 which leaves little in my budget for a good filter and heater but Facebook sounds like a better idea

Get an eye dropper, it takes 2 drops of prime per gallon to dechlorinate.
Why are you using easy balance?
does the one-gallon tank have a heater?
He is better off in the one-gallon tank than he was at the store, but try to get a 5-gallon or larger, heated tank ASAP.
You dont neeed to run the bubbler, bettas breath air from the surface of the water, and he will do better without the extra current caused by the bubbler.

You should consider keeping the one-gallon tank without gravel, everything you add to that small tank means less water, and more concentrated ammonia. and gravel will only create gaps for detritus to get trapped in and create more ammonia in you uncycled tank.

Im using the easy balance bc I read it helps keep a good pH balance but I honestly wasn't sure whether it was necessary
I do have a heater but unfortunately didn't notice it was for a 5gal tank when I bought it. Luckily I live in a warm area and his tank stays between 78 and 80 F, I'm hoping to get a 5gal before it starts getting cold.
I'll definitely be taking off the gravel until I can get a gravel vacuum and a 5gal tank.
Im waiting on my tax returns so I can spend it on him but idk when it'll come. How long I can keep him in the 1gal do you think?

 

Im using the easy balance bc I read it helps keep a good pH balance but I honestly wasn't sure whether it was necessary
I do have a heater but unfortunately didn't notice it was for a 5gal tank when I bought it. Luckily I live in a warm area and his tank stays between 78 and 80 F, I'm hoping to get a 5gal before it starts getting cold.
I'll definitely be taking off the gravel until I can get a gravel vacuum and a 5gal tank.
Im waiting on my tax returns so I can spend it on him but idk when it'll come. How long I can keep him in the 1gal do you think?

I don't think the easy balance is necessary, the PH should be constant given you use the same water source and doo not add anything that changes the PH. I think that you shouldn't add that anymore.

Your tank should be fine for now without heater. Finding a heater for 1 gallon can be hard and the temperature swings might be big from what I hear, so I say best is just to get a bigger tank with a heater before its cold.

I'm not very sure about how long you could keep him, but I think at most a month or two? I am not very sure about this one so I might be wrong. You could actually maybe keep him in a plastic storage box (like maybe 2.5/5 gallon or maybe even bigger) for now until you get a bigger tank. It should work. If I am not wrong storage boxes are quite cheap so you should be able to afford one. Like use it as a temporary tank until you get a bigger tank.

 

Welcome to Fishlore!

Petsmart has a 10g for 39.99. They have a dumb game on the app. If you play it you can get a 25% off coupon too.
Top Fin Open Glass Aquarium | fish Aquariums | PetSmart

For a betta I would just get a sponge filter for like a 20g tank. They dont like the flow of a Hang on back (HOB) or in tanks filters. The plus is a sponge filter is under 10$ and you already have the air pump for the bubbler.
Top Fin® Sponge Filter | fish Filters | PetSmart
These you just have to squish out in old tank water once in awhile. The only con is they are kind of space hogs. Just try to hide it.

Now we are up to only 50$

Heaters are a little bit more tricky. I would find one you can adjust the temperature on it. Presets have not worked well for me in the past. You get what temp you get. It may be too cool or too warm. You want to be able to change it. Im also here to say dont skimp too much on a heater. What you pay is what you get most times. You dont need to go full on most expensive either.

For a light if you only have plastic plants you could use a desk lamp if you need to. There are a bunch of small cheap LED lights on Amazon for around 20$.+-

bettasXD gave you some VERY good links to read up there. That would be the best place to start.

 

Hi, and welcome to Fishlore! Lots of betta lovers here!!!

If you have a petco in your town, they are having a really good sale on fish tanks right now (dollar per gallon sale on select tanks). It looks like you can order on line and then pick up in the store. I'm not sure how long the sale will last....

 

Yes, petco still has their sale going! I got my niece a 10 gallon set up with everything except light, plants and gravel for $45 for her birthday yesterday! Can also check Craigslist or marketplace for used stuff.

 

I don't think the easy balance is necessary, the PH should be constant given you use the same water source and doo not add anything that changes the PH. I think that you shouldn't add that anymore.

Your tank should be fine for now without heater. Finding a heater for 1 gallon can be hard and the temperature swings might be big from what I hear, so I say best is just to get a bigger tank with a heater before its cold.

I'm not very sure about how long you could keep him, but I think at most a month or two? I am not very sure about this one so I might be wrong. You could actually maybe keep him in a plastic storage box (like maybe 2.5/5 gallon or maybe even bigger) for now until you get a bigger tank. It should work. If I am not wrong storage boxes are quite cheap so you should be able to afford one. Like use it as a temporary tank until you get a bigger tank.

Yes, petco still has their sale going! I got my niece a 10 gallon set up with everything except light, plants and gravel for $45 for her birthday yesterday! Can also check Craigslist or marketplace for used stuff.

Hi, and welcome to Fishlore! Lots of betta lovers here!!!

If you have a petco in your town, they are having a really good sale on fish tanks right now (dollar per gallon sale on select tanks). It looks like you can order on line and then pick up in the store. I'm not sure how long the sale will last....

Welcome to Fishlore!

Petsmart has a 10g for 39.99. They have a dumb game on the app. If you play it you can get a 25% off coupon too.
Top Fin Open Glass Aquarium | fish Aquariums | PetSmart

For a betta I would just get a sponge filter for like a 20g tank. They dont like the flow of a Hang on back (HOB) or in tanks filters. The plus is a sponge filter is under 10$ and you already have the air pump for the bubbler.
Top Fin® Sponge Filter | fish Filters | PetSmart
These you just have to squish out in old tank water once in awhile. The only con is they are kind of space hogs. Just try to hide it.

Now we are up to only 50$

Heaters are a little bit more tricky. I would find one you can adjust the temperature on it. Presets have not worked well for me in the past. You get what temp you get. It may be too cool or too warm. You want to be able to change it. Im also here to say dont skimp too much on a heater. What you pay is what you get most times. You dont need to go full on most expensive either.

For a light if you only have plastic plants you could use a desk lamp if you need to. There are a bunch of small cheap LED lights on Amazon for around 20$.+-

bettasXD gave you some VERY good links to read up there. That would be the best place to start.

I don't think the easy balance is necessary, the PH should be constant given you use the same water source and doo not add anything that changes the PH. I think that you shouldn't add that anymore.

Your tank should be fine for now without heater. Finding a heater for 1 gallon can be hard and the temperature swings might be big from what I hear, so I say best is just to get a bigger tank with a heater before its cold.

I'm not very sure about how long you could keep him, but I think at most a month or two? I am not very sure about this one so I might be wrong. You could actually maybe keep him in a plastic storage box (like maybe 2.5/5 gallon or maybe even bigger) for now until you get a bigger tank. It should work. If I am not wrong storage boxes are quite cheap so you should be able to afford one. Like use it as a temporary tank until you get a bigger tank.

Thank you guys so much for welcoming me! I am so happy to find that there is a community like this especially for fish bc they deserve as good a life as any other pet

Good News y'all! I took all your advice and got a 10 gal at petco for $10.99 and it was the last one! Lucky me. I also got a sponge filter and heater which won't be here for a while unfortunately so I'll have the use the preset one for now. I will post some pics I also got a water testing kit which Im pretty excited about as well. I am so thankful for chewy and their cheaper prices.
I only have questions about climatizing Happy to the new tank. Im still very confused on how to do that. Especially with the sponge filter. I'm not sure if I have to do something with the filter before putting him in there.
Sorry to ask so many questions but I'm not sure if I should put the gallon of water in his small tank inside the 10 gal along with the new conditioned water or if I should just put a bit of the 1 gal in there?? Also the positioning of the filter. Do I put it in the middle or to the side? Does the positioning even matter?

 

What does your filter you have now look like? How long has it been running? This may change some of the other things I am going to write.

Tank:
Make sure the sponge filter is working and everything is set up and heated. Dont want to stress him fidgeting with things. It doesnt matter where you put the sponge filter.

Acclimatizing:
Since he is in a 1g tank I would get as much "good" water from his tank trying not to stir up too much gunk. Put him and the water in something you can float him in the new tank. Gallon ziplock half full? Float him in the tank and let a little new tank water in the bag every 15 minutes or so. Do that for about an hour. Once the temp is the same dump him in. Remember there is 1/2G+ water in there

Testing and fish-in cycling:
Next keep that test kit handy and watch for ammonia and nitrites every day for a few weeks. Whenever they get close to .50 change water 50-75% and use your prime. It could be 4-6 weeks or more. Whenever you get to the point of a few days in a row of no ammonia or nitrites and a nitrate reading you are cycled. I would test for a week just to be sure myself....lol

Did you get to the links farther up yet. That is really good info to understand some things more.

Test your tap water for everything. This is what we are working with to start.
Then test your tank. Most times pH levels will be different. To test that when you test your tap for pH leave a glass out for 24 hours to "gas off" then test it again. This should match your tank water.