I don't know now...

[Hailey]

Lately I've been thinking about getting a Betta. I used to have one when I was younger. I can't remember how long it lived though.
Anyways, I have what I think is a medium sized fish bowl that I was going to use. Or else I have a little bit bigger vase like thing that is for keeping Betta fish. I'm not sure what I'll use, but after reading the sticky I don't know if I have to use a filter and a heater now.

Before I was just going to keep it in the bowl, with no heater and no filter. But no I don't know. A friend gave me a little heater which I could use (somehow) but I don't know how I could filter it. I would like some suggestions and help if no one minds. Thanks!

[blu]

Filters are not totally necessary but they help circulate the heat so if you want to use the heater(which I suggest you do) upgrade to a 2.5 gal or higher that way it should be safe to use both and your betta will be happy with the extra space.

[Hailey]

ok, thanks! and well what about live plants? Do i have to have em?

[tropfish]

what temp is the room it's in? if it's under 76 then you need a heater, also the temp shouldn't have huge fluctuations, it stresses bettas alot.

[blu]

yea bettas are warm water fish 76-78 would be great for a betta..as for live plants its more preference but they do have a lot of advantages and the bettas like to rest on their leaves but will also rest on silk ones.

Having a heater will help with fluctuations especially when the temp in your house changes but I would only get one thats adjustable that way you can make small adjustments when needed(like seasonal temp changes)

[squirt_12]

well i used to have my betta in a big bowl and i had him in a room that was about 75-78 degrees F. and he did fine. And well i did water changes every 3-5 days.

[Hailey]

ok, well i do not know what temp my room stays. I try to keep it warm though. I think I will set the tank or well I guess bowl up and see if the heater can go in it or not and see how it will work in there. I will prob use a silk plant and just some gravel or river rocks. It will be placed under a lamp in my room. So I guess I'll see how that goes.

[squirt_12]

well yeah thats all i did....my sister has a betta and doesn't even give it a lamp...she uses sun light.

Good luck with the betta. :thumb:

[Hailey]

alright thanks!

[Hailey]

ohh, i found a pic of one of the things i have
http://www.bettatalk.com/images/betta_in_a_vase.jpg

[squirt_12]

cool...well 1 thing that you will have to be careful with is that with the plant...you have to make sure that the betta can get up to the surface to breath.

[Hailey]

yeah, well i lost the plastic piece for that plant anyways, so there will be no plant

[squirt_12]

o....ok thats alright though. lol. :D