Beginner's Tank Size Guide for Betta Keeping
There are many varying opinions about which tank sizes for bettas are humane or spoiling them rotten. This guide is for beginners to outline which tank they believe to be the best size for them to start out or upgrade to. This guide will provide pros and cons for varying tank sizes, so that you, the reader of this guide, can pick a tank size that works FOR YOU.
This guide is only unbiased in the fact that bettas cannot give a verbal opinion about their living space. Some bettas prefer small tanks while some do well in larger tanks. There are also bettas that prefer solitude while some can handle communities.
Therefore, for the sake of this guide, we are going to talk about your average betta who doesn't really care about tank size and can do well in both solitude and communities.
Also, due to my inexperience with natural planted tanks (NPTs), this guide will not include the influence of plant-life, other than the brief mention of lighting.
1/2 gallon/2 Litres
Advantages:
- Small footprint so you can have many tanks
- Easy to clean
- Easy to move/transport
- Inexpensive, especially if you purchase a bowl/vase from a craft shop
- Can be placed anywhere in any kind of living environment (bedroom, kitchen, university dorm, bathroom, etc.)
Disadvantages:
- Toxic ammonia builds up quickly
- Must do 100% water changes very often to combat ammonia build up
- Difficult to heat SAFELY
- Water-related problems can happen FAST due to the small amount
- Difficult to dose some medications (medications with packets for 10 Gallons), Aquarium salt and Epsom salt if you don't want to do the math
- King/Giant/Larger bettas and Halfmoons may not have enough space to show full potential
- VERY difficult to cycle
- NO tankmates
- If inactive, you cannot tell if it is cold, sick or bored or simply lack space to swim
- Bored bettas may start tailbiting
- Small space does not allow your betta to exercise and may have health impacts
1 Gallon/4 Litres
Advantages:
- same as 0.5Gal/2L
- Easy to dose Aquarium Salt and Epsom salt
- Good size for a hospital tank
- Some filters available
Disadvantages:
- same as 0.5 Gal/2L
- difficult to dose other medications
- Difficult to cycle
- NO tankmates
- If inactive, you cannot tell if it is cold, sick or bored or simply lack space to swim
- Small space does not allow your betta to exercise and may have health impacts
2-4 Gallons/8-15L
Advantages:
- relatively small footprint, but generally requires a sturdy piece of furniture such as a counter top or a desk
- Able to be heated safely with a low-wattage heater
- Filters are available to purchase on their own or in kits
- Beginner and child-friendly
Disadvantages:
- Some filters are a bit strong and must be baffled
- If no filter, 100% water changes start to become laborious
- If there is a filter, cycle is not impossible but difficult to keep stable
- Difficult to dose some medications (medications with packets for 10 Gallons), Aquarium salt and Epsom salt if you don't want to do the math
- NO tankmates
5 Gallons/20L
Advantages:
- Can hold a stable cycle, drastically reduces the need and amount of water changes; 100% water changes no longer necessary if cycled
- Lots of space for a Halfmoon
- Can be divided into two sections
- Can have a snail or two as a tankmate
- Lots of space for decorations
- Kits are readily available for purchase: Comes with the tank, filter and light hood
- Many heaters available
- Some lighting options available for live plants if desired
- Very beginner friendly
Disadvantages:
- Relatively significant footprint, requires a very sturdy surface to hold the weight
- SOME university dorms will not allow this size
- NO tankmates other than a snail
- Divided tanks will transmit diseases readily
- In a divided tank, if one fish gets sick, you may have to treat both
- If not doing 100% water changes, a gravel vacuum is recommended
- If you do not have a filter, 100% water changes are very laborious
- If divided, some bettas may tail bite due to misplaced aggression
10 Gallons/40L
Advantages:
- Same as 5 gallons
- Plenty space for a King/Giant/Halfmoon on its own
- Can be divided up to 4 different sections
- Can stock a certain variety of tankmates (consult compatibility section)
- Kits are readily available for purchase: Comes with the tank, filter and light hood
- Large variety of lighting available
- Future betta purchases/upgrades already taken into account
- Very easy to dose many medications, as they come in packets to dose 10 gallons
Disadvantages:
- expensive start up cost: Includes purchase of extra decorations
- very large footprint; requires a very sturdy piece of furniture or the purchase of a tank stand
- Diseases spread rapidly through a community and divided tank
- If doing a divided tank, sometimes two filters are necessary
- Dividing the tank into 4 sections gives a very small “viewing” area from the front due to the shape of the tank
- If divided, some bettas may tail bite due to misplaced aggression
Disclaimer #1: This guide is geared towards ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS who are in the process of deciding which tank to purchase to accommodate their first and future bettas.
Disclaimer #2: I did not include sororities as they are not recommended for beginners. If you would like to start a sorority anyway, please consult the forum.
I hope this gives some insight into picking a proper tank for either your first or subsequent betta fish. This guide was designed to give you objective data based on knowledge and experience from many members I asked to help me with this guide. This guide provides objective data, your brain will hopefully process it and make a subjective opinion on what kind of life you want your betta to have. If you want to put them in a 0.5 gallon tank, that is YOUR CHOICE ONLY. If you want to put them in a 500 gallon tank, that is YOUR CHOICE ONLY.
This guide has given you advantages and warnings of the majority of popular-sized tanks. Whichever size you pick, YOU are responsible for the health and life of your fish. Don't re-post back here and claim that I killed your fish, or am promoting cruelty just because your fish died in an X-gallon tank.
Also please don't preach to others about which tank size is "the most appropriate", or slam others with tanks that you find inappropriate. As long as the owner loves and cares for their fish properly, let them do as they please.
Thank you for reading,
Bahamut285
Please feel free to PM me any concerns or questions.
Home 
Latest images 
Search 
Register 
Log in 
Tue Jan 10, 2012 1:13 pm