A betta and a 2 gallon bowl

[Gregory_Asr]

Good day!

I've decided to attempt another try at keeping fish. In the past, I
was too young and quite uneducated for the task and the end result was
fish lasting no longer than a month. So since I have such a poor
record in the field of aquaria, I'd like to cautiously take a shot at
the popular betta first.

I'm planning for a basic setup and, for the time being, I'll probably
not go beyond 1 betta for awhile. But before I plunge into the abyss,
I'd be interested in receiving advice and suggestions from any
experts, hobbyists or housewives that have kept bettas.

With 1 betta, I will buy two 2 gallon drum bowls. One 2 gallon drum
bowl and a 5 1/2 gallon tank is also another option. The obvious
reason for more than one home is for easy cleaning and convenience for
the fish.

Now some questions... ;0}

a. Should I get the two 2 gallon drum bowls, or one 2 gallon drum bowl
and a 5 1/2 gallon tank? Since we're dealing with a betta, would there
be a significant difference between a 2 gallon drum bowl and a 5 1/2
gallon tank?
b. What would the water changes be like for a 2 gallon drum bowl and a
5 1/2 gallon tank? And how long would the water take to reach room
temperature with this bowl and this tank?
b. Is gravel a necessity?
c. Is a plant a necessity? Plastic or real?
d. Do I only need to dechlorinate the water or is there more to do?
e. When and what should I feed this betta?
f. Male or female? Can two females safely live together in a 2 gallon
drum bowl?

I hope these questions are not overwhelming. I truly want my future
betta to live a heathly and joyous life. I appreciate any responses.

Peace!

[Eric Schreiber]

(Gregory_Asr) wrote:

>a. Should I get the two 2 gallon drum bowls, or one 2 gallon drum bowl
>and a 5 1/2 gallon tank? Since we're dealing with a betta, would there
>be a significant difference between a 2 gallon drum bowl and a 5 1/2
>gallon tank?

While it's true that bettas don't require much tank volume to survive,
they will thrive if given a bit more space. Even so, they don't need a
lot. 2 gallons is a decent size for a betta - I'm keeping one quite
happily in a one gallon glass jar. If you really want to splurge, a
three gallon Eclipse tank is ideal.

You don't need two different bowls - it will stress the fish to be
moved from one to the other when you're cleaning the tank. Better to
just leave him in a single tank while you do water changes.

>b. What would the water changes be like for a 2 gallon drum bowl and a
>5 1/2 gallon tank? And how long would the water take to reach room
>temperature with this bowl and this tank?
>d. Do I only need to dechlorinate the water or is there more to do?

If you don't have any filtration (and most betta tanks don't) then
you'll need to do a 25-50% water change each week. Yes, do use a
dechlorinator! There are a number of products out there; any will be
fine.

Each week when you do your water change, just refill a one gallon jug
with tap water, put in dechlorinator, and store the jug under a
cupboard or something. When you're ready to do a water change next
week, the water will be at room temperature and ready to use.

>b. Is gravel a necessity?

No. However, over time you want to build up a bacteria population, and
gravel provides more surface area for the bacteria to live on. Besides
which, it looks nicer to you, which is part of the reason for setting
up a tank in the first place.

>c. Is a plant a necessity? Plastic or real?

Again, not necessary, but nice looking. And I'm of the opinion that a
decorated tank is better for the fish than an undecorated one. Note
recent studies of lab mice that were healthier when they lived in
interesting environments.

But don't to live plants. They require special efforts and some trial
and error. No point aggravating yourself starting out.

>e. When and what should I feed this betta?

Bettas are carnivores, but will eat just about anything. I give mine a
varied diet, including 'Betta bits', flake, dried bloodworms, and
occasionally frozen brine shrimp.

2 or 3 betta bits or the equivalent per day is plenty.

>f. Male or female? Can two females safely live together in a 2 gallon
>drum bowl?

Two females should get along fine. A male would be prettier.


--
www.ericschreiber.com

[luminos]

I have an uneasy feeling that by 'clean' you mean to tear down the
environment completely and clean it out. Cleaning is a bad idea, if that is
what is meant!

Buy one of the small Eclipse setups for your betta...it has wet/dry
filtration. The small ones can be had for under $50.

[Gregory_Asr]

>"luminos" > wrote in message
> I have an uneasy feeling that by 'clean' you mean to tear down the
> environment completely and clean it out. Cleaning is a bad idea, if that is
> what is meant!

Should I ever scrub and fully clean the inside of the bowl? I'm now
aware of the weekly water changes but, in the case of a 2 gallon drum
bowl, when should I to do a complete water change?

[Eric Schreiber]

(Gregory_Asr) wrote:

>Should I ever scrub and fully clean the inside of the bowl? I'm now
>aware of the weekly water changes but, in the case of a 2 gallon drum
>bowl, when should I to do a complete water change?

Never, really. When you do that you're effectively tearing down an
established tank and starting over from scratch. The only time you'd
want to even consider that is if your tank had a serious infection of
some sort going on.

--
www.ericschreiber.com

[luminos]

"Gregory_Asr" > wrote in message
om...
> >"luminos" > wrote in message
> > I have an uneasy feeling that by 'clean' you mean to tear down the
> > environment completely and clean it out. Cleaning is a bad idea, if
that is
> > what is meant!
>
> Should I ever scrub and fully clean the inside of the bowl? I'm now
> aware of the weekly water changes but, in the case of a 2 gallon drum
> bowl, when should I to do a complete water change?

IMO, absolutely never. And never, ever completely remove gravel and
sanitize it.

There are important bacteria in established water and gravel. Even a Betta
appreciates a cycled environment.

[blove]

read www.bettatalk.com thoroughly before getting a betta
it is one of the best betta sites out there
it has helped me alot and i now currently have 13 bettas

"luminos" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Gregory_Asr" > wrote in message
> om...
> > >"luminos" > wrote in message
> > > I have an uneasy feeling that by 'clean' you mean to tear down the
> > > environment completely and clean it out. Cleaning is a bad idea, if
> that is
> > > what is meant!
> >
> > Should I ever scrub and fully clean the inside of the bowl? I'm now
> > aware of the weekly water changes but, in the case of a 2 gallon drum
> > bowl, when should I to do a complete water change?
>
> IMO, absolutely never. And never, ever completely remove gravel and
> sanitize it.
>
> There are important bacteria in established water and gravel. Even a
Betta
> appreciates a cycled environment.
>
>

[Gregory_Asr]

I truly appreciate the tips, advice and answers. Thank-you Eric
Schreiber, Luminos and blove. :0) Peace!