Setting up a Betta tank

[dobejazz]

I have a 5g corner eclipse tank just sitting around. I want to set it up as a betta tank at work.
I used to know this kind of stuff but I'm lost

Is tap water ok for Betta's or should I bring RO/DI water to work to get it started?

Do freshwater tanks need to cycle?

Could I put live plants in it?

What do I need to get this started?

Thanks everyone

[abigtroutt]

I would use RO/DI, FW does cycle also. As for live plants its a pain unless your tank is set up for it. If its an office tank I would use plastic. To get started all you need for a betta is a bowl and water. My wife knows alot about fresh...Ill get with her later today after work and i'll find out more for you.

[dobejazz]

Thanks Bill! The only fresh water fish I like are Betta's unless you have a recommendation for cool freshies for a 5g tank.

[abigtroutt]

Bettas have a hard life getting here but are very cool. They will fight to the death if mixed with another of its own kind but make a good community fish. My wife has two very cool little yellow fish with ours. My wife has 3 FW tanks a 55 gal cichlid tank (very cool) and a 10 gallon live planted tank thats doing very well, but has a lot to do with a base rock then rock and vitimins for the plants, lighting and CO2. Then another 10 gal with various community fish.

[dobejazz]

Planted seems out then too much work I thought about a FOWLR but if I'm gone for a few days I don't want anyone else to have to touch it

[Wiskey]

Don't use RO/DI, it is bad for the fish. The fish needs the minarils in the water and the buffering to keep the PH stable (My friend killed a couple of betas this way). Use normal tap, but declornate it with something like "Stress Coat".

Freshwater tanks do need to cycle, but since Beta's breath from the air not the water it may not make that big of a difference.

If you were to get something like an Anubias, or Java fern they would probably do just fine with no work. The higher light, harder plants take a bit of work, but ones like anubias are low light, and don't require any ferts or anything, just be sure not to burry the rimazone, and they prefer to be attached to driftwood.

The plant would make a great natural filter for your tank, much like macro algae does in a reef tank.

Whiskey

[dobejazz]

Cool Thanks guys ! I think I'm gonna go check out those plants at petsmart

[dobejazz]

Ok I have a 5 # bag of estes ultra reef black sand It says its safe for freshwater. will this be ok to use? is it just as important to clean a SSB in freshwater as it is in a reef? It is a very fine sand

[Wiskey]

Yes, but I don't think you really need to clean the substrate any more than once every 2 months or so, provided you don't massivly over feed.

We talked about the substrate choice in the PM you shot me.

Whiskey

[dobejazz]

Thanks Wiskey Darn work is getting in the way I hope to start setting it up Tomorrow or Wednesday

[Wiskey]

Wow, your quick, how did you do that? I never know when people reply to my threads, but your right here, even though I am a few days late.

Whiskey

[dobejazz]

Scary isn't it !!

[Wiskey]

And you did it again,...

Whiskey

[dobejazz]

OK I got gravel and water in it yesteday How long before I can add plants and the fish ?

[Wiskey]

Plants,.. now, they love ammonia accually. Most people would add a beta right away too, since they don't have the normal ammonia problem do to the fact that they breeth from the air.

But I would probably feed the tank for a few days like I would for the fish, then put the fish in just to be safe.

Whiskey