I would like a new betta tank, and I really like to have one that is about 5 gallons for easier maintenance. I love the look of the fluval tanks, but read that the don’t work we’ll with bettas due to the surface breathing issue. I saw the fluval spec online and to me it looks like if you didn’t fill it all of the way to the top surface breathing shouldn’t be a huge issue. Any fish experts know or anyone have one?
The Spec has a fairly large hole at the top. The Edge is almost completely closed, but I had one for my Betta. He figured out where the opening was quickly and never had an issue with it when it was completely filled. The Edge was really hard to clean so I would get a Spec.
these are so expensive. i got a 10 gallon tank much cheaper than one of these betta kits, and it has a lot more room for a betta. Even though they can survive in smaller spaces, they don’t prefer it.
[QUOTE=Nezzy;7437616]
these are so expensive. i got a 10 gallon tank much cheaper than one of these betta kits, and it has a lot more room for a betta. Even though they can survive in smaller spaces, they don’t prefer it.[/QUOTE]
Agreed, but it is 5 gallons, so it isn’t one of the little tiny betta kits. I thought the tanks that were too small were more like 1 gallon. Is 5 gallons not large enough?
5 gallons is good. I thought it was one of those micro tanks. they are still pretty expensive for what you get. But if it’s what you like, it will be fine.
[QUOTE=Casey09;7433812]
I would like a new betta tank, and I really like to have one that is about 5 gallons for easier maintenance. I love the look of the fluval tanks, but read that the don’t work we’ll with bettas due to the surface breathing issue. I saw the fluval spec online and to me it looks like if you didn’t fill it all of the way to the top surface breathing shouldn’t be a huge issue. Any fish experts know or anyone have one?[/QUOTE]
You’re confusing the spec with the edge. The spec isn’t filled all the way up to the top with no surface air. It is designed to have space, and the cover has an opening down the middle for feeding. I have one for one of my bettas and it is great. The design is narrow front to back, so even though it is 5 gallons, there is more horizontal swimming space than a regular five gallon tank. The filtration works nicely. I did upgrade the lighting for live plants, and you may have to fiddle with the filter to slow the output so that the fish doesn’t struggle against the current.
The fulval edge and spec are both different concepts. The fluval edge needs some space left free from filling.
Well this will probably make me unpopular, but I have Rescued 4 bettas 3 years ago from a local chain store that has a fish section.
They keep the Bettas in Dixie cups and I am sure they don’t last.
Mine are in 1 gallon heavy bowls. They have a plant and gravel, get a water change partial, once a week, and eat nothing but Sallys Brine shrimp.
they are gorgeous and healthy. they do not need big and fancy, just bigger than a cup and good food.
I’d get ten gallons just because cleaning a 5gal as often as you have to without a filter is a pain, and keeping the chemical/bio balance is a lot harder with a 5g when you have a filter.
I have kept males in Kritter Keepers, but to be really clean you do need to do a full change at least once a week and much more often on the partials. When you have five, six, or more, that gets tedious quick and it makes going away for the weekend or longer a hassle. (Also that only works if your ambient house temp is in the low seventies and I don’t keep my furnace turned that high so in winter, it’s not very warm in here at all. In fact if/when I get a new fish I am swearing off trops and getting a goldfish tank as they’re cool-water carp.)
This is an old thread! For what it is worth, I love beta fish and have this tank now. I currently have a crown tail beta in the tank. It does have a filter, and once a week I do a partial water change. I nearly killed him doing nearly 100% water changes, but he is doing great with partial water changes once a week. I have some really hardy plants in there with the little guy, and I plan to add a few more of those. I also have a little Hydor heater set on 80 degrees.
So far, he is very active. When I did the 100% water change I thought I’d killed him for sure as he had swim bladder issues and was tilting, but he completely recovered and now looks like a healthy little guy. I’m enjoying the crown tail variety a lot. I’d have bettas everywhere if I could.
WHAATT no pics ???
[QUOTE=Nootka;8463103]
WHAATT no pics ???[/QUOTE]
I will work on that! I’m biased but I think he is a super interesting little fellow.
