Betta Tank - Page 2

RedBaron · 10-12-2006, 12:31 PM

Thank you all for the wonderful insight. I think I will make Jack a home in a 3 gallon Eclipse. SWMBO has put the cabosh on a 10G

RedBaron · 10-16-2006, 05:21 PM

I have settled on the Eclipse 3 for the new home of Jack, but now have some questions.

First, LFS has said that regular aquarium sand is sufficient as a plant substrate. True or False?

Second, where does one find a plant light for the above hood and any recomendations for it?

Third, since a betta is a tropical fish, should the water temp be around the magic 78? and if so, a recomendation on the type and size of heater?

Tommy Gun · 10-16-2006, 06:05 PM

I am not sure about the questions on plants, but I believe many people use florite as a substrate since it helps the plants grow. I am definately NOT the expert in the least on plants.

Betta fish do need a water temp of 75 to 86 degrees (according to aboutfreshwateraquariums.com). I have an eclipse 3 myself and I use a 10 gallon heater from Walmart. It works well and is hardly ever on. I put one of those 'stick on' thermometers on the side of the tank as well to keep track on what is happening.

Oddly enough, while searching for the required water temp of betta fish, I stumbled upon bettafish.net, apparently the 'official site' of the species and found that nearly every picture on there is of a betta fish in a vase or small glass. Unbelievable. This fish is getting such bad press.

For the record, no, I have not bred betta fish and dont really have the room, money, or courage to ask my wife if I can get another tank right now. There is some good breeding info at this site though:

Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta Splendens)

firefiend · 11-01-2006, 05:29 PM

I've kept a male betta with 5 to seven females without incident.

Female betta can be aggressive in small numbers but generally are peaceful whn many are present. The male too will be aggressive if there are only a couple females present as opposed to a larger number.

Spawning shouldnt be a issue if you're not providing the proper nutrient conditioning and water temp.

NOTE: the males building a bubble nest is not neccessarily an indication of spawning. They will do this even if their are no females present.