Im in a dillema HELP!

[graceluvsplatys]

I am setting up a 20g ( have not cycled yet, but up and running), and am planning to stock it about like this:
1 dw gourami
3 af dwarf frogs
4 platys
1 bn pleco

I rerally want to put my betta in this, cause she is in a TINY tank, no filter or heater (dont yell at me plz! Im sorry, but my mom wont let me get any more tanks!)
I have heard she could have problems with some of these fish. I woud like to try her, but heres what I am wondering
1)would the transition from bad to good conditions kill her?
2)If I got her in, and she and the other fish didnt work, would putting her back kill her?
3) is this whole thing just a mess? reccomend what to do!

[Mvjnz]

As long as she's acclimatised properly she'll be fine moving into the new tank. I don't how the frog would treat her, but they shouldn't be kept with gouramis I don't think, as they are the same family and tend to harass each other. The others should be fine.

But I really think you'd have to prioritise giving your betta a better home, and then put all the other fish on hold if necessary. You already have her, so it's your duty to make sure she has the best home possible. If you have to, you should make it a big betta tank, which is suitable for her to live in, and get some bottom dwellers, say cories for example. If you provide heaps of hiding places you could even get another female betta or 2.

[graceluvsplatys]

ok... do you think it is worth it to try her?
I will do my best to get her at least 5 gallons.... but my parents wont let me!
they adopt the "its happy if its alive" status
I will try to do all I can, thats all i can promise

[graceluvsplatys]

I may do the betta, and skip the gourami. If the betta doeasnt work with the other fish, thenm I will opt for a gourami and get a better thing for the betta if I can.
You are right. I should take care of my first

[Mvjnz]

Yeah, I think it's definitely worth a try:)

A cheap 5 gallon option for the betta is one of those plastic tanks you can get at any pet store. They are used for mice, hermit crabs etc etc. I'm using one for my betta, and it works really well. Then just get a cheap little filter and a small heater. It doesn't look as nice as a glass tank, but the betta doesn't care:)

[Nick_Pavlovski]

I found one of those during the last hard rubbish day in my suburb. It had soil in it and looked filthy. But a bit of water, some scrubbing with an old plastic dish scrubber and some salt and it looks near new!

[DragonGoby]

As said before, go for the 20 gal with your betta... I will hold the gourami for now, but I'm pretty sure your female betta and some platies will be ok... Except if you choose High Fin platies.... Even female betta can became agressive if she believe there's a male and it's not the right time :c2: ...
I don't know for the frog...
But once again I'm pretty sure the pleco will be fine...

Good luck with your little friends and keep us posted

[poppinseab]

I would say that as long as she has good hiding and you have done much research you should be OK. Maybe ask your parents if you can get a 2 gal one. Most of them come with heater and filter for less then 25 bucks. I got one for my late Betta bubbles and he loved it. HE sadlydied from tumor :-(.

[Wild Turkey]

Make sure you introduce the betta after the other fish for the best chance of her getting along with the others.

[graceluvsplatys]

yes... I am already doing water changes from the new tank to hers, to get her slowly acclimated.
im about a week and a half into my cycle, im gonna test the water tomoro at petsmart

[graceluvsplatys]

hmm the problem is, is that i really want a gourami, but i heard they do not get along good with bettas. im thinking im gonna get at least a 2 gal big bowl, and a little filter and heater.

[graceluvsplatys]

if everything goes well, should I add another fem betta?

[invadertoast]

Do you mean add another female to the 20 gallon or the two gallon?? You should have at least three, otherwise the two might pick on eachother too much.

[DragonGoby]

Yeah, it seems that making an "all female" betta tank is at least as complicated than an only male betta tank... You need more than two, and you'll need to be vigilant just in case some of the new female don't get along with the other...

If I may (my two cents), wait to see how your betta will react with your other fish... And then wait to see if there's other fish you want to add... I'm changing my mind of the kind of fish I want every other day...:hmm3grin2orange:

[gm72]

A few posts back you mentioned you were getting the water tested at petsmart. I thought you were going to get some testing gear?

A great option for a betta is a 2.5 gallon all-inclusive setup from Walmart. $30 gets you a tank, hood, light, and filter. Add a heater for $10 and you're set. We keep a betta in such a setup and he's very happy!