GouramiFanatic
Aquarium Advice FINatic
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2005
- Messages
- 598
I had a conversation with my mother a few weeks ago about how I felt bad for Betta fish and that I wanted to buy a 2.5 gallon tank or two to give one a new home. I just wanted to wait until the holiday spending was over. Well, much to my delight my mother went out and got me a 2.5 mini bow aquarium from Walmart. It comes with a filter, but no heater.
I have a few questions about Bettas and how to properly care for them in this type of tank. The photo on the box shows some fish without a filter being used and the instructions also list this filter as being optional. Will I need to use it if I'm keeping a Betta? I will eventually be adding tankmates - Albino Cories or Otocinclus (if this is an ok choice because I do realize that the tank is small). If these are not good choices due to the size limitations, what other possibilities would you recommend?
I was also wondering if heaters are a must when it comes to Bettas. I have no problem at all with investing in one if it's needed, I just know some people keep their Bettas in fish bowls without heaters. Is it recommended to use one or does it matter either way?
This is the last question and I admit that it's a stupid one. Do I need to worry about cycling the tank before adding a Betta? Again, this all falls back to the 'keeping Betta's in fish bowls' way of thinking. I know a lot of people don't know the first thing about cycling their tanks before adding a fish and I can't imagine these same people cycling a fish bowl before buying a Betta.
TIA,
- Mandy
I have a few questions about Bettas and how to properly care for them in this type of tank. The photo on the box shows some fish without a filter being used and the instructions also list this filter as being optional. Will I need to use it if I'm keeping a Betta? I will eventually be adding tankmates - Albino Cories or Otocinclus (if this is an ok choice because I do realize that the tank is small). If these are not good choices due to the size limitations, what other possibilities would you recommend?
I was also wondering if heaters are a must when it comes to Bettas. I have no problem at all with investing in one if it's needed, I just know some people keep their Bettas in fish bowls without heaters. Is it recommended to use one or does it matter either way?
This is the last question and I admit that it's a stupid one. Do I need to worry about cycling the tank before adding a Betta? Again, this all falls back to the 'keeping Betta's in fish bowls' way of thinking. I know a lot of people don't know the first thing about cycling their tanks before adding a fish and I can't imagine these same people cycling a fish bowl before buying a Betta.
TIA,
- Mandy