QTOFFER
Aquarium Advice Addict
After reading about and seeing pictures of male bettafish here, I am considering getting one.
I would like to get either a 2 1/2 gallon tank for one betta or a 5 gallon tank for one betta and a trio of corys. The tank would be placed in a bright, sunlit bathroom.
My apartment is HOT - at least 78o F in the winter, but I would get a 25W heater just in case. As for filtration, I would get a small corner filter.
I've done a bit of reading on the topic, but I still have a few questions.
Is one betta and three corys in a 5 gal overcrowded?
Would a 10% partial water change weekly be enough for this setup?
Do I really need a light for the fishes' health? I don't like the incandescent fixtures that they supply with the little betta tanks - wouldn't they cook the fish? If I really need a light, I can rig up a small fluorescent on a timer.
Tank decorations: I've read that you should test decorations by rubbing them against piece of nylon stocking. If the nylon snags, so can a betta's fin. Any suggestions as far as what to avoid?
Substrate - smooth gravel or marbles - which is better?
Where to buy? I detest the idea of buying anything living from the corporate pet stores. I feel that it somehow encourages them to continue selling half dead pregnant mice with respiratory diseases and bettas-in-a-shotglass. My lfs keeeps their bettas in pint-sized jars, but they never look heathy. Are there any reputable breeders in the New York City area?
There have been alot of good posts on keeping bettas recently, otherwise my list of questions would have been much longer!
I would like to get either a 2 1/2 gallon tank for one betta or a 5 gallon tank for one betta and a trio of corys. The tank would be placed in a bright, sunlit bathroom.
My apartment is HOT - at least 78o F in the winter, but I would get a 25W heater just in case. As for filtration, I would get a small corner filter.
I've done a bit of reading on the topic, but I still have a few questions.
Is one betta and three corys in a 5 gal overcrowded?
Would a 10% partial water change weekly be enough for this setup?
Do I really need a light for the fishes' health? I don't like the incandescent fixtures that they supply with the little betta tanks - wouldn't they cook the fish? If I really need a light, I can rig up a small fluorescent on a timer.
Tank decorations: I've read that you should test decorations by rubbing them against piece of nylon stocking. If the nylon snags, so can a betta's fin. Any suggestions as far as what to avoid?
Substrate - smooth gravel or marbles - which is better?
Where to buy? I detest the idea of buying anything living from the corporate pet stores. I feel that it somehow encourages them to continue selling half dead pregnant mice with respiratory diseases and bettas-in-a-shotglass. My lfs keeeps their bettas in pint-sized jars, but they never look heathy. Are there any reputable breeders in the New York City area?
There have been alot of good posts on keeping bettas recently, otherwise my list of questions would have been much longer!