Betta fish are beautiful with their vivid colors and spectacular fins. And providing your betta with a suitable tank setup will allow him to flourish and live a healthy life.
This detailed article explains how to achieve the perfect betta tank setup. And the good news is, that’s not as complicated as you might think!
Quick Summary: Best Tank Setup for Betta Fish
Our Top Pick API STRESS COAT Aquarium Water Conditioner |
| Check Price | |
Freshwater Live Aquarium Plants on Driftwood |
| Check Price | |
Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum |
| Check Price |
Before we look at how you can provide the perfect environment for your betta fish, let’s look at the kind of world the wild betta fish inhabits in its natural home.
Matching Nurture to Nature
The betta fish, also known as the Siamese Fighting Fish, is native to Southeast Asia. Bettas are freshwater fish that belong to the family Osphronemidae, and there are no fewer than 73 varieties!
However, the species that most fish keepers know is the Betta Splendens.
Betta Splendens are the species that are generally kept as pets. These bettas come from the Chao Phraya and Mekong river basins in Thailand (formerly known as Siam, hence the fish’s other name, Siamese Fighting Fish.
Wild bettas live in shallow, stagnant water, including rice paddies, marshes, and flood plains.
During the dry season, bettas live in puddles, feeding on insects and insect larvae. Bettas have a breathing organ called the labyrinth, which enables them to survive in dirty, oxygen-depleted water.
Unfortunately, that behavioral quirk means captive bettas are often kept in tiny bowls or vases with no oxygenation or filtration systems.
However, according to veterinarians and research carried out by Adelphi University, bettas should be kept in at least a two-gallon tank with an efficient filtration system, heating, and lighting.
Choosing the Right Tank
It’s an urban myth that a betta fish will be happy in a tank as small as one gallon or in a glass bowl. While betta can survive in a tank of that size, they won’t live for very long, and he certainly won’t be a happy fish!
Ideally, you should provide your betta with a tank of at least five gallons or bigger if possible. Wild betta patrol territories of up to three square feet, so a big tank will more closely mimic their natural environment.
Also, a big tank will enable you to add many plants, like your betta’s natural habitat. In a large tank, pH and temperature fluctuations will occur less frequently, and you won’t need to perform water changes as often.
Should Your Betta’s Tank Have a Lid?
Your betta’s tank should have a lid. A lid will keep dust and other debris from polluting your tank water.
Also, wild bettas can jump! They use that skill to move from puddle to puddle during droughts, and your fish will think nothing of leaping right out of its tank if it doesn’t have a lid!
A Long or Tall Tank?
Bettas are surface feeders, living primarily in the upper part of the water in their tank. So, choose a long tank rather than a tall one to ensure that your betta fish has plenty of swimming space.
To Filter or Not To Filter
As previously mentioned, your betta’s tank should have a filtration system. Without a filter, the tank water will quickly get dirty, and you’ll need to carry out frequent water changes, ideally daily.
Many tanks come complete with a filtration system that’s designed for that specific model of tank, saving you the dilemma of having to decide what filter system to buy.
What Does a Filter Do?
Filters clean your betta’s tank, removing faeces, spoiled food, chemicals, and harmful bacteria. Filtration systems draw in water and debris and pass it through different sponges and other media.
This keeps the water clean and safe for your fish. Even with a filter, you’ll still need to carry out water changes each week of ten to 15%.
A filtration system prevents the build-up of nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia, which are extremely harmful to your betta if they become too concentrated.
Ammonia especially will cause your betta to become stressed, weakening his immune system and leaving him vulnerable to diseases.
The filter pumps water around the tank, preventing the environment from becoming stale and stagnant.
Stagnant water absorbs carbon dioxide from the air, affecting the pH of your tank water and depriving your betta of the oxygen he needs to survive.
So, a filter keeps the water moving, helping to oxygenate the tank as it does so.
When choosing a filter system for your betta tank, choose one with a slow flow. In their natural environment, Bettas live in calm water.
If the filter you choose is too strong, the current it generates will push your betta around his tank, and he will become stressed.
The ideal filter will have an adjustable flow, enabling you to create the perfect environment for your betta. If you find that the filter current is too strong, you can use plants and tank decorations to slow the flow rate.
How It Works
Choose a filter with three filtration stages: mechanical, chemical, and biological.
Mechanical Filtration
Mechanical filtration is the process by which debris, such as faeces and uneaten food, is removed from your betta’s tank. You’ll need to change the mechanical filter cartridges every month, depending on the tank size and filter.
Every week when you carry out a water change, wash the filter cartridges in tank water to remove any debris clogging up the filters and affecting the free flow of water through the filter.
Chemical Filtration
Chemical filtration removes any harmful chemicals from the tank water. Activated charcoal is the most commonly used medium for chemical filtration and does the job well.
Biological Filtration
The biological filter is the most important one as far as your betta’s health is concerned. Biological sponges encourage the growth of helpful bacteria in your tank.
Those bacteria are essential to the nitrogen cycle that breaks down decaying matter so that it can’t harm your betta or the plants in your tank.
The Nitrogen Cycle
As mentioned above, your biological filter helps to encourage the growth of helpful bacteria in your betta’s tank, which are essential to the nitrogen cycle.
But what is the nitrogen cycle, and why is it so important for the health of your tank’s inhabitants
- Bacteria break down all the decomposing food, dead organisms, faeces, and dead plants in your tank into ammonia. Ammonia is toxic to everything in your tank, especially your fish. Ideally, the ammonia levels in your tank should be 0ppm (parts per million).
- A bacterium called Nitrosomonas breaks down ammonia into nitrite. Although not as harmful as ammonia, nitrites can still be toxic to the living organisms in your tank, and levels should ideally be 0ppm.
- Next, a Nitrobacter bacteriumacts on the nitrite to break it down into nitrates. Although nitrates won’t harm your betta as badly as nitrites, they can cause algae blooms, and levels should ideally be kept below 20ppm.
For the nitrogen cycle to work properly and efficiently, you’ll need a filter system with a large biological sponge with plenty of space to hold lots of bacteria.
The sponge should be exposed to the air to allow the maximum amount of oxygen to enter the sponge, which enables the bacteria inside to grow and thrive.
Heater: Yes or No?
The water temperature in your betta’s tank should never drop below 690 Fahrenheit and should ideally remain between 780 and 800 Fahrenheit. So chances are you will need a heater to maintain this water temperature.
Betta fish are highly susceptible to temperature shock. So, suppose you allow the temperature in the tank to drop below 740 Fahrenheit for long periods or below 690 Fahrenheit.
In that case,your betta’s immune system may be compromised, leaving him susceptible to many diseases.
The best way of ensuring that the temperature in your betta’s tank stays at a constant level that’s healthy for your fish is to use a heater.
Ideally, you want a heater that provides roughly three to five watts per gallon of water in the tank. You might need two heaters to ensure the whole environment stays warm if you have a very large tank.
Selecting a Substrate
The substrate is the medium or material that lines the bottom of your betta’s tank. The most popular choice of substrate is gravel, although you can use aquarium soil or sand if you prefer.
The substrate is important for several reasons:
- The substrate provides a large surface area where beneficial bacteria can grow and multiply. That means you won’t lose all the bacteria your tank needs when you change your biological filter media to keep the environment healthy.
- Substrate helps to keep your plants and ornaments held in place. Bettas love to have plants in their habitat, so be sure to provide plenty of vegetation for your fish to hide in.
- A layer of the substrate is also important to give your tank aesthetic appeal. Although you could choose not to use a substrate in your tank, that will show up all the faeces and other detritus on the bare tank floor. A natural or colored gravel layer makes the environment look much more appealing.
When choosing a substrate for your betta’s tank, avoid picking something sharp or rough, as that could injure your fish.
Also, large pieces of gravel can trap food, which will decompose and produce ammonia which is harmful to your fish.
If you’re planning on adding live plants to your betta’s tank and is probably best avoided, as it doesn’t make the best rooting medium because of its compact nature.
Fine gravel or aquarium soil is usually best for your betta tank. A natural-looking or dark substrate is also perfect for making your betta’s colors really pop!
Sale
Décor: Plants, Hides, and More
One very important element of a betta tank setup is the addition of plants and decorations.
Although you can buy lots of quirky and unusual items of aquarium décor, an environment that looks as natural as possible is best for showing off your betta’s colors and glorious flowing fins.
Also, your betta will likely feel more at home in a habitat that mimics his wild home. Choose large plants, caves, and natural driftwood. All these items provide great hiding places and shady areas for your betta.
They will also prevent boredom from setting in, which is extremely important if your betta doesn’t’ have tankmates to entertain him.
Live plants help to oxygenate the tank water and absorb carbon dioxide, as well as give your fish something to graze on if the mood takes them.
Also, live plants can provide a home for beneficial bacteria that remove harmful bacteria from the water. If you don’t want live plants, choose soft silk ones rather than hard or sharp plastic ones that could inflict injury on your fish.
Steer clear of plastic decorations or anything sharp or hard that could snag your betta’s flowing tail and injure him.
Lighting
Lighting is important for your betta’s tank. Wild betta fish live in shallow water, so they can see when it’s day and night and when it’s time to eat. Being unable to see when it’s dark or light will stress your fish.
LED lights are the best choice, as they last a long time and produce a bright light that shows off your fish’s gorgeous colors.
How To Set Up Your Betta’s Tank
IMPORTANT NOTE: You should set up your tank BEFORE purchasing your betta fish. This rule goes for any pet you adopt, fish or otherwise.
Making sure your pet’s new home is already set up and waiting for them is a major part of responsible pet ownership. Plus, it increases the chances that your friend will survive the transition into their new space.
Clean the Tank and Check for Leaks
The first thing you’ll need to do when setting up your betta’s tank is to check for leaks. Put the tank in your bathtub or outside on a soft mat to do that.
Fill the tank with water and gently rub the inside with a soft cloth to remove any dust and bits of packing material.
Never use any form of cleaning product on the inside of your tank. Cleaning chemicals can linger, potentially poisoning your fish.
While the tank is full of water, check the seals to ensure no leaks. When you’re done, empty the tank. Don’t try to lift the tank when it has water in it.
The tank will be too heavy, and moving a tank with water inside it risks damaging the seals or even cracking the glass.
Pick the Place
One of the most important considerations when setting up your betta tank is where to place it. If you put your tank somewhere too sunny, the excess light could prompt an overgrowth in algae or cause hotspots.
However, if you put the tank somewhere that’s too cold or place it in a spot exposed to drafts, you risk causing the temperature to fluctuate wildly, which could result in temperature shock for your betta.
Ideally, you should put your tank away from windows and radiators, somewhere out of direct sunlight, and well away from drafts.
Also, if you have curious young children or pets in your household, you should put your betta’s tank well out of their reach.
Add the Substrate
You can add the substrate by choosing a suitable location for your betta tank. Aim for a depth of around two inches of substrate across the tank bottom. That is deep enough for plants to take root.
If you’re using a specially prepared brand of the substrate, including aquarium soil, simply add the medium and leave it. However, regular sand and gravel will need to be washed with cold water to eliminate any residual dust.
Once the water runs clear, you can put the substrate into your tank. This serves as a water conditioner.
Dechlorinate and Decorate
Next, put a few inches of water into your tank. Put a plate underneath the pouring zone to stop the gravel from washing away. Add a dechlorinator to the water and wait for ten to 15 minutes.
Sale API TAP WATER CONDITIONER Aquarium Water Conditioner 16-Ounce Bottle
Dechlorinator removes chlorine and other chemicals from tap water, making it safe to use in your fish tank.
Now, you can add your decorations and plants.
Our Recommendations
Good tank decorations for bettas include
Suitable live plants that make attractive, natural additions to a betta tank setup include:
Freshwater Live Aquarium Plants Package Value Pack 4 Species Amazon Sword Java Moss Java Fern...
- Java moss
Planterest - Java Moss | Vesicularia Dubyana Freshwater Live Aquarium Plant BUY2GET1FREE
- Betta bulbs
- Marimo moss balls
- Anubias (grows on rocks or driftwood)
Plant the tallest plants towards the back of the tank, using smaller ones the closer you get to the front. That creates an appealing 3-D effect and also makes your tank look larger.
Fill the Tank
Now that you have your tank as you want, you can fill it with water. Pour the water carefully into the tank, using your plate to diffuse the flow so that you don’t displace all your plants and decorations or make craters in the substrate.
Be careful not to overfill the tank, leaving an inch or so of space at the top of the water. Remember that your betta is a surface feeder and can breathe air from the water’s surface.
Also, that inch of space will reduce the likelihood of your betta jumping out of the tank.
When filling the tank, add a dechlorinator to remove harmful chloramines, chlorine, and heavy metals from the water. It can also be useful to add a stress reliever to protect your betta when he arrives in his new home.
Sale API STRESS COAT Aquarium Water Conditioner 16-Ounce Bottle
Add the Filter
Now add the filter. Some systems have a purpose-built compartment specifically designed to take the filter.
However, if your setup doesn’t have that, decide where you want to place the filter. Some filters are designed to hang externally off the back of the tank, whereas others must go underneath the substrate.
Usually, the best place for the filter is at the top and back of the tank, where it’s relatively inconspicuous and out of the way.
Finally, set the filter’s water flow rate to be gentle. If the flow is too strong, use decorations to block the current or baffle the filter.
Add the Heater
Next, you’ll need to add the heater to your tank. When you position the heater, ensure it’s as close to the filter as possible. That’s so that the warmed water will circulate around the whole tank rather than just one area.
Most heaters come with suction cup attachments so that you can fix the heater to the side or the back of the tank. Set the heater to 780 Fahrenheit, although a temperature between 760 and 820 will be fine for your betta.
You’ll need to fix a tank thermometer to the side of the tank where you can easily see it to monitor the tank temperature.
Cycle Your Betta Tank
Before you add your betta fish to their new home, you will need to “cycle” the tank.
Although you can carry out an in-fish tank cycle, the recommended method is to use a fishless tank cycle.
Fishless Tank Cycle
As the name suggests, a fishless tank cycle involves cycling the tank without having any fish living in it. This helps in creating an ideal environment for your betta fish.
The fishless cycle allows beneficial bacteria to become established before introducing fish waste and uneaten food into the environment, which would place more pressure on the biological filter.
When starting a fishless cycle, you’ll need to add beneficial bacteria to the tank, which you can do by adding a biological enhancer to the filter medium to kickstart your aquarium.
Sale Fluval Cycle Biological Enhancer, Aquarium Water Treatment, 8.4 Oz., A8349
In-Fish Tank Cycle
If you prefer, you can perform an in-fish cycle. You will also need a biological enhancer if you’re using this method.
Start by adding a few small fish to the tank, and then wait a week or so before adding a betta fish.
Check the Water Parameters
Whichever tank cycling method you use, you can expect it to take at least ten days for the beneficial bacteria population in the tank to have grown enough to start controlling the ammonia levels in the habitat.
Every few days, check the parameters within the tank to see if the ammonia and nitrite levels are at 0ppm (parts per million) and the nitrate level is at a maximum of 20ppm.
To do that, you’ll need an API Master Test Kit. Once these parameters are met, it’s safe to introduce your betta to the tank.
Sale API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT 800-Test Freshwater Aquarium Water Master Test Kit, White, Single,...
Once your betta is settled in his new home, you will need to test the water daily and carry out weekly water changes of ten to 15% to keep the ammonia levels down at a suitable level.
Another water treatment that we recommend you use is API Ammo Lock. Ammo Lock neutralizes any ammonia build-up, preventing the water from becoming toxic to your betta.
Sale API AMMO-LOCK Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Ammonia Detoxifier 16-Ounce Bottle
Add the Betta
Once you’ve set up and cycled your tank, you can add your new betta fish. It is safest to simply open their sale container and hold the whole container (with the water in it) in the new tank.
This will help prevent shock as the fish can choose when to exit its original container. Be patient, and do not force the fish to move or dump it.
This process works best if the water the fish is already in is relatively similar to the water in the tank. But using this method allows the temperature of their water to change more gradually, reducing the risk of temperature shock.
F.A.Q
When To Split Up a Betta Sorority?
If you house Females together in a sorority, you may expect them to be calm and docile and get along well, but this isn’t always the case.
If you notice your female Bettas showing aggression towards one another, keep a close eye on them.
Wait around a week and see how they are getting on; if they’re still showing aggression, it’s time to split them up.
How Long Should You Wait To Put Betta Fish in a New Tank?
Once you have your tank set up, you’ll want to wait about a month before bringing your Betta home. The tank needs to cycle over a period of 4 – 6 weeks before your fish is added to it, regardless of size.
Once you’ve brought your Betta home, acclimate him steadily for 15 – 30 minutes before completely introducing him to the tank and setting him free to explore his new home.
How Often Do You Change Betta Fish Water?
You should change your tank’s water once a week by about 25%; changing the water by too high of an amount or too frequently may cause temperature or water shock to your fish as the pH or water hardness may change too dramatically without giving him time to adjust.
How Much Water Do Betta Fish Need?
Bettas need plenty of water in which to swim around and explore. This is why we recommend a minimum of a 5 – 10 gallon tank.
Can You Put Betta Fish in Tap Water?
You can buy water treatments and conditioners that can be added to tap water in order for this to be suitable for use in your Betta’s fish tank.
Tap water can be a good choice, so long as it is treated properly, it is both consistent in pH and water hardness levels, and inexpensive.
What Color Rocks Do Betta Fish Like?
It’s not so much about what the Betta likes and what makes them look good. Since Betta are such bright and beautiful colors, many people choose to use black rocks in their tank, as these really make your Betta stand out, but it’s ultimately up to you.
Do Betta Fish Need a Bubbler?
This depends on the size of your tank. If you have a larger tank with adequate water flow and enough space, you likely won’t require one.
In smaller tanks, however, they’re highly recommended as they’re a great way of oxygenating the water for your fish to be able to breathe better.
Do Bettas Need Live Plants?
Whilst Live plants have various benefits to your tank; they can also make it more difficult to maintain.
I’d recommend live plants for their benefits and because they bring a beautiful, natural and healthy look to your tank, but I understand it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
Bettas don’t need live plants in order to be able to live a long, happy and healthy life.
But if you choose not to bring live plants into your tank, it’s a good idea to add fake ones as decoration, as these can help block out the light and give your Betta places to shelter and hide.
Just make sure that any fake plants you purchase are fabric and not plastic, as any rough or sharp plastic edges may hurt your fish or snag his fins.
Do Bettas Like Light?
A Betta’s natural habitat is shallow, well-planted freshwaters in Southeast Asia. Despite being a well-lit part of the world, the number of plants and debris in their homes block out much of the light.
For this reason, Betta’s generally prefer a dimly lit environment, with plenty of cover and places to hide.
Do Bettas Prefer Sand or Gravel?
Gravel is usually a better choice for Betta hobbyists. This is because, unlike sand, it is much easier to maintain – poop and food debris are less likely to get lost in it, both of which, if left undiscovered, could quickly contaminate your tank.
In Summary
Choosing the right sized tank and setting it up correctly is essential if your new betta fish is to remain healthy and thrive.
Betta fish are happiest in a long tank with plenty of surface area. The tank should have an efficient filtration system, lighting, and a heater that keeps the water at an optimum temperature of 780 Fahrenheit.
Be sure to position the tank away from direct sunlight and drafts to avoid temperature fluctuations that could cause toxic shock to your betta.
Be sure to cycle the tank correctly, as we’ve described before introducing your betta to his new home.