Setting Up A Betta Tank - type, decorations, etc

Ok so I have a hundred dollars in Christmas money that I would like to use to set up a betta tank. I would like to get some ideas as to what decorations I should get, what type of betta to get, and how to spend the money. I have been looking at aquarium kits that are 5.5 gallons that come with the filter and top and everything that are on sale for thirty dollars. Any suggestions for kits I could buy in a store or online would also be helpful. This is also not my first tank and I will cycle using media from another tank.

 

I've found the filters in 5.5 gallon kits to be junk, lights as well, I'd trash the filter and either get a different HOB or a sponge filter, if you don't plan to do live plants, the lights should be ok. The decorations are gonna depend on what you want, just be sure the plants are silk, and there is nothing that will tear the bettas fins. If you want a well bred, healthy betta, I'd find a breeder to buy one from, or a lfs, avoid chain stores as their bettas are poorly bred and usually sickly. If you already have experience with fish, keeping a betta should be fairly easy for you.

 

Ok I will probably get a sponge filter online. And I was going to buy a betta from a breeder online.

 

Sounds good! I think you will do fine with the betta, as long as the tank is setup properly, cycled, and maintained, and the betta is healthy, they do great and are so low maintenance! And great personalities too.

 

Ok thank you.

 

try the fluval spec V, its a little more expensive though

 

It looks like a nice tank only after buying the tank and the fish I would have nothing left to decorate with.

 

Decorations are really important. More than the perfect light in my beginner opinion . My betta Mr. Fluffie loves his floating log.

 

Ok I was thinking about getting one of those logs and a leaf hammock.

 

Just something to keep in mind, bettas prefer long over tall tanks.

 

I have and will always suggest polymer clay for betta decor. You can shape it, cut it, and sand it yourself so no sharp edges, plus you can poke holes in them to make your own logs (using fishing line and a suction cup). I use Sculpey Original clay, the white one in the 1.75lbs package. I've used them for two years with my betta and I recently began using their colored clay brand to make my own birthday and holiday decor (but I do mix the original white with the colored).

 

Great ideas!! Mr. Fluffie loves his log!

 

This is my Betta Mr Fluffie in his log

 

I have and will always suggest polymer clay for betta decor. You can shape it, cut it, and sand it yourself so no sharp edges, plus you can poke holes in them to make your own logs (using fishing line and a suction cup). I use Sculpey Original clay, the white one in the 1.75lbs package. I've used them for two years with my betta and I recently began using their colored clay brand to make my own birthday and holiday decor.

Lol, I have never heard of using that! I like using live plants but I must say when you get algae sometimes I wish I could take it out and rinse it all off and just put it back in algae free.

 

I have and will always suggest polymer clay for betta decor. You can shape it, cut it, and sand it yourself so no sharp edges, plus you can poke holes in them to make your own logs (using fishing line and a suction cup). I use Sculpey Original clay, the white one in the 1.75lbs package. I've used them for two years with my betta and I recently began using their colored clay brand to make my own birthday and holiday decor (but I do mix the original white with the colored).
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I am totally going to try this! The chemicals don’t leach out?

 

I am totally going to try this! The chemicals don’t leach out?

Not that I've seen, the only reason why polymer clay isn't food safe is because it's porous and can hold bacteria, which is good for fish keepers lol. It turns into a PVC like material when it's done baking, I even burn mine a little to make sure it's done.

 

I’m in.

 

I have an AquaTech 5 gallon kit from Wal-Mart that my betta thrives in. It was around $25 came with lid (with led light), filter, and some extra materials for a good start. Plants from walmart I haven't had issues with for my bettas, just get some of the gravel they have and a heater (mine is from Tetra and heats the tank with no problems also from Wal-Mart around $10-$15)

 

I crochet sometimes. And I had the idea to use polymer clay to make grips for the metal crochet hooks because some are so tiny they hurt to hold. I used the color polymer clay sculpey brand. And I can tell you that after using them for several hours... It's like there's an oil or chemical that leeches off of them onto my hands and therefore onto whatever I'm crocheting. It can be felt and smelled.

So because of this experience I would not trust it. It may be perfectly fine for some aquariums, but I have cardinal tetras, snails, and shrimp I would rather not risk.

 

I crochet sometimes. And I had the idea to use polymer clay to make grips for the metal crochet hooks because some are so tiny they hurt to hold. I used the color polymer clay sculpey brand. And I can tell you that after using them for several hours... It's like there's an oil or chemical that leeches off of them onto my hands and therefore onto whatever I'm crocheting. It can be felt and smelled.

So because of this experience I would not trust it. It may be perfectly fine for some aquariums, but I have cardinal tetras, snails, and shrimp I would rather not risk.

Yeah when I was kneading the clay, some colors leached off onto my hands, that's why I mixed a LOT of white with it and over baked it. I had started a thread on here about colored polymer clay (I was unsure as well) and a person said they used them in their goldfish tanks. Maybe it was a bad batch? I've never had them get oily after baking, now beforehand, man...that stuff gets stuck to your hands lol
I hate that it didn't work out for you though, maybe another brand would work?

 

I wonder if there could be a clear safe glaze that could cover it. I love the thought of molding my own caves and tunnel ornaments!

 

They worked out fine except for the smell. My point was even though they were fired correctly at the correct temp and time, and appeared perfect afterwards.. after a little use it was apparent that something was coming out of it. I doubt people sit there and rub polymer clay for a couple hours after its been fired therefore won't notice anything leeching out. But I can imagine it would leech something on its own if exposed to water 24/7

Through googling the issue, many people recommend sealing with an aquarium safe resin. Or use earthen clay and have it kiln fired.

 

I wonder if there could be a clear safe glaze that could cover it.

 

COOL!!

 

What I would do is, buy a 5.5 Gallon from PetSmart/Petco for only $12-$14 than a bag of sand of white or black sand from Carbisea at PetSmart for $5. Then go on Amazon (IF you can online shop) and order one of those Penn-Plax/Pawfly 5-7 Gallon hang-on filters for $7-$9. They're absolutely marvelous.

Then, with the rest of the money, buy a heater, and maybe see if there is any online plant shops, as you can get plants pretty cheap from local online plant stores that ship, and get a lovely piece of driftwood as your center piece, and then start aquascaping.

With the left over money, buy a therm for $3, and just keep aquascaping and adding more decor and fancy plants.

Currently this is what I did, , and got a beautiful tank that my fish absolutely loves while a jungle of plants that keep growing and non-stop frogbit that keeps showing up.

The dollar store also sells minI terracotta pots too, if you like those for only a $1 and make wonderful decor, despite it being so simple.

 

Ok so I have a hundred dollars in Christmas money that I would like to use to set up a betta tank. I would like to get some ideas as to what decorations I should get, what type of betta to get, and how to spend the money. I have been looking at aquarium kits that are 5.5 gallons that come with the filter and top and everything that are on sale for thirty dollars. Any suggestions for kits I could buy in a store or online would also be helpful. This is also not my first tank and I will cycle using media from another tank.

Let me organize this for you (I’ve done several tanks on a budget)
Tank- $15 for just an empty 10 gal tank at Walmart no lid tho (you can modify a piece of plexiglass)
Filter- $20-$25 for everything needed for a sponge filter (you could definitely get a sponge filter set up for less I just like to round up)
Heater- $10-$15 preset is fine for a beginner, a decent heater is important, anything with settings is better
Dechlorinator-$6-$8 each: ideally some prime, stress coat and quick start
Meds: depends on the fish and his condition:/
Gear: gloves, self starting siphon, tank scrubber, and a bucket. The tank scrubber can be replaced with a clean towel devoted to fish tanks. The self starting siphon is so much easier and relatively cheap $7 and everything else is just household items.
Decor: whatever is left after essentials-some fake plants if your fish is in really bad condition or if you are a noob. Fancy rocks, which I sometimes get free ones at the beach that wash and quarantine. You can do a theme if you want.
Plants: Real plants if you have the tools, money and experience, but please don’t attempt live plants if you don’t know what you’re doing. Some good, reliable, live plants are amazon swords, anubias, anacharis, java fern, and frog bit or duck weed if you want something floating, although duck weed grows nonstop.
Substrate: sand is pretty but it does take some maintenance and it has no nutrients for live plants so you’d need root tabs. Everyone loves Fluval stratum which is I believe best for plants.
Food: $6-$8 frozen or two types of dry, omega one betta buffet pellets are good as well as omega one or HikarI frozen bloodworms and shrimp
Betta: $4-$20 it all depends on the breed, but most likely your average pet store betta won’t go over $20
Extras: you can get these over time or with extra money- apI water test kit, Indian almond leaves, a backdrop, a snail or two, new food, ornaments,etc.
If you already own a lot of the meds and dechlorinators as well as extra decor and food you could set up a tank for very cheap. It really all depends on the fish and your preferences but I hope this was a helpful guide!

 

Sorry for the late response. I already have a lot of the stuff you mentioned like prime and water changing supplies so that's some money saved. Also what are the Indian almond leaves good for.

 

Sorry for the late response. I already have a lot of the stuff you mentioned like prime and water changing supplies so that's some money saved. Also what are the Indian almond leaves good for.

They release tannins that are good for the fish, makes them more relaxed and healthy usually. It's just a natural environment kinda thing.

 

Ok thank you I'll look at getting some of those.

 

I have and will always suggest polymer clay for betta decor. You can shape it, cut it, and sand it yourself so no sharp edges, plus you can poke holes in them to make your own logs (using fishing line and a suction cup). I use Sculpey Original clay, the white one in the 1.75lbs package. I've used them for two years with my betta and I recently began using their colored clay brand to make my own birthday and holiday decor (but I do mix the original white with the colored).
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That is so awesome! Are there directions someplace? I don’t want to get the wrong stuff and kill my fish

 

That is so awesome! Are there directions someplace? I don’t want to get the wrong stuff and kill my fish

Polymer Clay
I use Sculpey Original (white) a lot, there are directions on the back but I usually overbake mine just to be on the safe side

 

Polymer Clay
I use Sculpey Original (white) a lot, there are directions on the back but I usually overbake mine just to be on the safe side

Thank you!!