A larger aquarium, perhaps a 10 gallon with a didvider, place the filter return cascade over both sides and a heater. Walmart sells 10 gallon kits for about $50, the divider is

Here is a link that might be useful: Betta info

Hey, thanks a lot! I'll definately try that. And, btw, you know a lot about fish, don't you, woeisme? I see your follow ups everywhere and they always have good info! Good for you!

Your bettas will appreciate the extra room. They are actually very active and will move all over the bigger tank. They interact with you, always looking for food. To me an ideal betta setup is a 10 gallon , moderately to densely planted with some small cory's or Otos or both and a school of 8 or more small tetras.

Woeisme is certainly right on the bigger tank. =^_^= When I brought my betta home, he lived in a vase and was very boring. But now he's in a heated 10 gallon with lots of things to poke at, and he's very active. (Though he still enjoys his naps.) The initial cost of everything can be bad depending on your budget, but it's well worth it. (I've spent about $100 on fish, the tank, gravel, ornaments, etc.)

Glad everything is working out Kitty. $100 is about average for a first 10G set up. On-line shopping can save a bit and knowing what you need will also. There are money saving tips for setting up a tank, more targetted for a larger tank though. If you frequent LFS and buy supplies and fish there good ones will give you a break once in a while. A nice addition and not mentioned is a Python or Lee's gravel vacuum/refill combo. It is a standard tube type gravel vac. that has a long hose on it and attaches to a pump that is attached to your kitchen/bathroom faucet. No need for buckets and is a lot easier to use especially for "newbies". I still manage to make a swamp out of the house but I guess thats a gender thing. Bettas do "rest" in a favorite spot. My guy likes to perch on the plant leaves.

Hey guys. I love my bettas, but I really don't have the space for a ten gallon. Plus, my mom might not let me use my money on that. About how big is a ten gallon, feet wise? Please send some arguments so I can convince her!

Hey guys. I love my bettas, but I really don't have the space for a ten gallon. Plus, my mom might not let me use my money on that. About how big is a ten gallon, feet wise? Please send some arguments so I can convince her!

Sorry, scratch that last message. I think I'm going to buy another 2.5 gallon tank and put Stormy in there, so they both have their own tank. They are great tanks, and my fish are happy in them. I just won't have them crammed in one 2.5 gallon tank.

The 10 gallon is about 20" long x 8" wide x 12" high, I'm not sure of accuracy on this except the legnth is 20". It is heavy when filled but can be placed on top of a dresser or chest of drawers. A stand will be another expense, but not necessary if you have a sturdy piece of furniture, the full tank will weigh approx. 110Lbs give or take a few lbs.You can get another 2.5 gal, or a 5 or 6 gal but in the end they are the same $$$ as the 10gal. The 10 gal will be more stable because of volume. I know how it is to have limited funds for a hobby being a kid once, but here are some good arguments if your mother thinks your responsible enough to take this task on. 1)This is just not a collection like baseball cards or dolls, it is a learning experience because of the amount of science involved- chemistry, ecology, biology, learning responcibilty or care. 2)When you have established the tank (cycled and everything going well) it is less demanding then other pets (unless your trying to score a dog or cat down the road) you dont have to walk it, clean a litter box,or worry about someone doing that stuff for you when you are away from home. If your fish are otherwise healthy they can go a couple weeks without food, or you can get an auto feeder. 3)Everyone in the family can enjoy it. 4)When convincing her of the bigger tank tell her that it costs the same as the 2.5 and 5 gals and the fish will have better chance for survival and you can also add a few more fish. 5) hold your breath, won't do a damn thing but its pretty funny. Anyway, try Walmart a tropical 10G kit is only about $50, get an inexpensive gravel vacuum unless you can splurge for the "python" that sells there for about $28. Gravel is pretty cheap, a good alternative to "aquarium" gravel is go to a farm and feed store and ask them for a bag of "Grower Grits", it is a supplement for poultry. It is actually crushed granite, you have to rinse it well but it is black and white with a little pink usually. $7 for a 50# bag and is enough for 5 10gallon tanks. To save money down the road, the cartridges that come with the filters can be rined out with removed aquarium water and reused until they disintergrate. Get a box of activated carbo or about $5 and cut a slit in the cartridge, dump the old and replace with the new.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU WOEISME! I intend to tell my parents your arguments today, and I'll keep you updated on the progress. Thank you!

Another possibility is a garage sale. You can get a complete setup for about 25$ +/- . I found a 10G at one on Friday, just the tank for $4, a new one shout only be $8 or less then $10. They also had a 125 or 150G for sale for $80, I was tempted but held off.

I my personal opinion after 35+ years of fish keeping a Better should be not be kept in any thing under a 10G tank. Here you can control the temperature, and all the water peramiters correctly. Another thing if a M Betta is in full view of another M Betta they both will often in an aggressive mode and I am lead to believe this does shorten their life span. Much has been written as far as the 1950s as keeping Bettas in small containers as to even trying to get a complete ban as cruelty to a fish. But commercialism has won on the day.

Here is my Betta tank
[b][I]Look here for my
[link=Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos]http://photobucket.com/albums/b209/keithgh/Betta%20desktop%20tank/[/link]

Keith

Try this link for my Betta tank.

There is plenty of excellent Betta info a Fishprofiles.com

Keith

http://photobucket.com/albums/b209/keithgh/Betta%20desktop%20tank/