How to Set up a Beautiful Betta Fish Tank

Congratulations on your new Betta fish! Betta splendens is one of the most stunning, beginner-friendly fish out there, so of course he needs to have a beautiful aquarium to match. For a warm welcome, make sure to check out our recommendations for shopping and setting up tips.

Betta Checklist – Everything You Need to Get a New Fish

Before setting up your betta fish’s new home, let’s go shopping for the necessary components. All of these items can be easily found at your local pet store or online.

#1 Aquarium

A

5-gallon tank

This is a good starting size for one betta fish. Many new owners mistakenly believe that betta fish are like houseplants that can live in tiny containers. But a dog who can live out its entire life in a small kennel does not mean that he would prefer to have the freedom of a larger home or yard. A bigger aquarium gives your betta fish the freedom to swim around and explore his environment. You will also notice a cleaner aquarium for a longer time.

A small 0.5-gallon tank may need to be refilled every day, while a 5-gallon fish aquarium can last for up to two weeks.

Because of their aggressive behavior toward their own species, betta fish are often called “Siamese fighting” fish. All bettas, male and female, should be kept separately. In fact, betta sororities (or an aquarium with all female bettas) are not recommended except for the most experienced fish keepers. The good news is that betta fish can be kept in a larger community tank with other types of fish, so check out our list of suitable tank mates.

Equipment

Betta fish do like to jump out of the water, so make sure to get an aquarium

Cap or lid

To prevent escape. Also, you will need to have an

aquarium light

Your handsome boy will be best viewed from the highest angle. You can best view your handsome boy because of his long finnage.

small, gentle filter,

Like a sponge filter, or nano hang-on back filter. Finally, betta fish are tropical fish that enjoy temperatures between 78 to 82degF, so purchase an appropriately sized

Thermostat

Thank you for purchasing your tank.

(Most betta fish aquarium kits are much too small, but if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the many equipment options, look for an all-in-one kit that’s 5 gallons or bigger to help simplify the shopping process.)

Decorations

Aquarium decor is a great source of enrichment for your betta fish, so design a look that is both attractive and fun for your pet to explore. People enjoy using an aquarium.

Gravel or Sand

to cover the tank bottom, as well as some

Ornaments

Fake plants that don’t have sharp edges. However, consider adding

live aquarium plants

to make a beautiful nature aquarium. Anubias, Java Fern, and Marimo Moss Balls are great for beginners. They don’t need any special lighting or substrate to grow, and help keep the water clean through biological filtration.

Blue male betta fish in a planted aquarium with carpeting plants

Other Supplies

You should not forget to purchase the materials for the tank.

dechlorinator

To remove the chlorine from the water.

siphon

for easily cleaning the aquarium.

You can use high-quality betta food pellets or freeze dried bloodworms as your staple food. Finally, invest in an aquarium water test strips so you know when to clean the tank. Water changes should be performed if ammonia, nitrite or nitrate levels rise above 0ppm or 40ppm respectively.

Aquarium Co-Op Multi-Test Strips

How to Install a Betta-Tank

Now that you have all your supplies, here is a step-by-step guide to assembling your aquarium:

1. Pick a good location. The aquarium needs to be near an electrical outline for the equipment and a source of water for easy tank maintenance. Avoid direct sunlight and areas near heating units or air conditioners to minimize temperature fluctuations. Finally, remember that your aquarium is likely made of glass or acrylic, so select a spot where the tank will not get hit or crashed into because no one wants 5 gallons of water leaking all over the floor. 2. Use a good aquarium stand. Fish tanks are surprisingly heavy (close to 10 lbs. You can expect to pay about 10 lbs per gallon for water and supplies when your aquarium is full. You should make sure that the stand is water-resistant to prevent it from bending over time. 3. Wash supplies. Use warmwater to rinse equipment, decorations, and tank. Avoid using soaps or other cleaning products that could be harmful for your fish. If you purchased a used aquarium, you may want to check for leaks by letting it sit full of water for 24 hours and looking for signs of dampness. 4. Install the supplies. Now it’s time for the interior design! Install the equipment in the aquarium (without plugging them in yet) and then position the decorations around them in a pleasing manner. You can hide the filter by placing ornaments or plants next to it. This will help reduce the current for betta fish. 5. Add water. Fill tank with tap water. Add dechlorinator to get rid of chlorine and other harmful chemicals. Although the filter can be plugged in now, most heaters require that you wait at least 30 minutes before turning on. This is because they need to adjust to the water temperature. The equipment manuals will provide more details such as how to add a drip-loop for the power cables.

One of the most common questions we receive is “Do bettafish need a cycled aquarium?”. So, if you don’t know what the nitrogen cycle is, read this article on how to “cycle” an aquarium.

Red dumbo betta fish with red pebbles and white dumbo

Welcoming Your New Betta Fish

The final step in setting up your aquarium is of course adding your new betta fish. You don’t need to give preventative medication if he is the only fish in your aquarium. Most betta fish bought from pet shops have been kept in isolation their entire lives. Simply float your betta’s little container or bag in the aquarium for 20 minutes so that the temperature in his bag matches the temperature in the tank. Then let your betta into his new home without adding any of the fish store water into the aquarium – either by scooping him out with a net or draining all the old water first.

This simple tutorial hopefully helped you create an environment that is stress-free for your new fishy friend.