I have a 2.5 gal tank that was left over from my inexperienced GF days. It does not have a top or filter. I realize that I will have to get a thermometer and possibly a small heater. Does the fact that the tank has no top matter? I don't plan on getting a betta until I read up A LOT in this forum and learn all I can, though! Don't want a repeat of my early GF days! LOL!

Niki73 I sent you a pm in regards to helpful info about bettas

your set up sounds good however you will need a lid of some kind. Some bettas are known to be jumpers and can jump out the tank.You definitely do not want to find you new freind as a crispy friend one day on your floor etc. If there is no lid you might be able to to get one of those screen top lids they put on reptile aquariums. You also will have to change water about every few days without a filter. with a container of 2 gallons or smaller you will need to do 100 percent water changes each time. You may not need heater .

Thanks, Jillian!

I will find some way of putting a lid on the tank. Also, I don't mind doing 100% water changes. However, I may just get a filter to go in the tank, as it used to have a small one, but it burnt out and would not filter no matter what I did! I will prolly get a small filter to go in the tank, just to help keep the water clean. Thanks BQ!!!

LOL! I just found the top to my tank!

my friend uses this filter on her betta tank (2.5 gallon) and seems to like it. I just got one, since i have a spare 2.5 gallon, but haven't used it yet.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...amp;pcatid=9821

Thanks, Swift! I did not like the filter that came with my 2.5gal tank. It only ran for a few months and then the filter burnt out. I changed the filter sponge often and cleaned it with brushes as well as I could, but it slowly just ran down and then completely stopped.

Hey Nickie,
If you already have the tank I would go for it. I love the colours that bettas come in, but it is hard to stop at one. If you get a filter make sure you get on that you can adjust the flow rate. They don't like a strong current.
Leah

lol I agree it is hard to just stop at one and I know this as I am completely addicted to bettas I had spent 300 USD on bettas from thailand for only 7 betta and shipping once you start it is hard to stop I am saying this and 30+ betta now not including fry spawn 2 spawns I have 300-400 betta fry from one spawn and another few hundred from another spawn I am going to have to ask koko to change my nn to swimminginbettas

I remember that, thanks Leah!!!

Congrats on getting a beta

I haven't gotten one yet and it will prolly be a few weeks before I do, but I will let you all know when the date arrives! Thanks!

I doubt you'll need those. My Betta is in a 4 gallon tank with a 5W light bulb, and he gets about 7.5 hours a day of "daylight"...Mon-Fri. On the weekends, the light is off all the time. (I keep him at work on my desk) His water always stays very tepid, and he swims around happily all day watching me work. A heater in that small of a space might be too much - since the water will match the temperature in the room it's in. If you can put a small desk lamp over the tank during the daytime, that will be plenty of warmth for him.

Have fun picking out your new friend!

Thanks Lola!!!

Well, after reading up here in the Betta section, I think I have decided not to get a betta for a while. NOT because I don't want one now, but because I don't think my 2.5 g tank would be big enough. I realize that bettas CAN survive in such tiny quarters, but, to me, it seems too small. Maybe one day, when I can get a larger space, maybe 4-5g, I will get one. I just want the betta that I eventually get to be happy w/ lots of space and be comfortable.

Well, at least you are doing what you think is best! I personally won't keep a betta in less than a 5 gallon either, so I totally understand your choice! I'm sure you will give your betta a great home when you do get one!!