So I want to get my Betta a new tank, as wonderful as his tank is with it's built in sump, removable dividers etc it's impossible to clean, I want something I can use a gravel syphon for, not airline tubing LOL. So I was planning on buying a 2.5-5g tank then suddenly thought of the old Mirabello which has been floating around. It has one of those irritating all in one hoods where the heater, light and pump are all wired together and can't be pulled apart. The heater and pump died yonks ago so it's never had much use. But I could easily mod it so the heater and filter are outside hidden by the background.

The Mirabello is 20g or 76l, I don't particularly want to add any more fish, just the Betta, but wanted to check it'd be fine in the 20g?

I know the more space the better, but I read on the net that if a tanks too high the Betta struggles to get to the surface enough to breathe, so true or false? the 20 is 45cm high...

Thanks
Emma

Hello,

I thought it was strange that you posted about a 20 gallon tank. I actually have a 20 gallon tank set up for my bettas. Yup - I have more than one. I actually have 3 male bettas in that tank with tank dividers.

I bought the tank dividers from PetsMart. They were specifically designed for 20 gallon tanks. But I bought two dividers so that my tank is split up into 3 sections. The dividers are clear, so they can see each other and flare. Don't worry though, I've discovered they'll stop flaring at each other when they get tired. I was worried about this at first and was afraid my fish would get stressed out.

I have a heater designed for a 20 gallon tank and it heats the tank quite well.

I also have a hang on the back filter designed for 5-15 gallon tanks. I know this is a little under powered, but I've discovered that the filters designed for 20 gallon tanks or bigger is just too strong for the bettas (there was no knob to address the flow). I supplement this with a couple of corner filters. I have a strong pump hooked up to them and it helps grow beneficial bacteria (and picking up the slack of the other filter being under powered).

If you want to try the tank divider idea, it works well. BUT BE WARNED! Make sure you put the dividers flush against the glass and that they're secured tightly with the clamps.

They seem happy and each one has about 5 gallons to themselves.

Just a thought if you wanted to keep more than one betta.

I had my little girl betta in a 20 gal for awhile and she had no problem with that size. Sometimes she was at the top other times swimming around the bottom--didn't appear to have any trouble. The filter pushed her a bit when she swam by it but it didn't stop her at all.

As odd as it sounds, I just want the one Betta in the 20g LOL, Bettas aren't really my favourite fish but aunties etc keep giving them to me as presents since I "like fish so much" but this guy was sooo gorgeous, I couldn't bear to rehome him LOL.

Well I've set the tank up to soak, as it's last occupants were hermit crabs, once that done will set it up for him then.

why not get tank dividers so u can get even more beta's

Lol cause Bettas aren't my fave fish, and I dunno I've never really liked the look of tank dividers, the line at the front always really stands out and detracts overall from the general tank look.

I've convinced Dad to let me put it in the conference part of the recroom (Half of the rec room is my fish room which is full, the other half is Dad's conference room) so I need it to look good, though don't think Dad'll notice LOL, he suggested I put the Betta in a peanut butter Jar

Just to share this is Ezekiel

wow he has nice coloration

Well the end result-

The tank


And some shots of Ezekiel




Just fiddled with the colours in the tank pic this is more accurate

Nice fish and tank, I'm sure he is loving all that space. The only thing I would suggest is adding more plants. Bettas like to hide and be able to swim through the plants. And it could just be me but with all that room I would have to add some other type of fish in there with him, some type of bottom feeder maybe?

Oh he's a pretty one! You could put cories in with him to clean up the bottom. Both my girl betta and my white male are in with cories and they totally ignore the little cats.

I'm considering moving my baby bristlenose in there. He's only an inch long and he needs to be 3 inches to move in with the cichlids, so he's been moving from tank to tank eating algae, might move him to the 20.

I love how bettas look; soft and velvety...yet smooth and sleek