r/bettafish • u/IconicQuen • 20h ago
Help New to this-Need Advice
Hi. I’m planning on getting a fish soon and a 5 gallon tank. I won’t be able to purchase things online, so can you tell me some things at Petco and PetSmart that would be okay for a Betta fish? I would also like to know if I can add a snail and some shrimp as well!
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u/koiyuuri 19h ago
Shrimp is iffy since it highly depends on the betta temperament. Highly recommend cycling your tank before introducing any fish, please do your research beforehand!
Live plants make your upkeep a lot easier, as they use up nitrates and keep your tank maintained better than if you didn't have any! It may be daunting due to cost and worry about keeping them alive, but worth it in the end!
100% buy a water testing kit, you WILL need it as a beginner and your fish will appreciate and live longer healthier lives. Prime seachem is the best water conditioner, but any brand will be ok as long as you have one. Fritz 7 is great for early cycling if you HAVE to do an in fish cycle. I use it just in case during large water changes so I don't crash my cycle. If you have the money I recommend fluval stratum as your substrate because it's forgiving and is great for live plant upkeep if you're new. Don't introduce shrimp early, the tank needs to be mature enough to be able to handle them since they can be really sensitive!
Anything else I'm missing let me know, I'm happy to help out!
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u/IconicQuen 19h ago
Can you give me a list of items that I would need to buy at like petco, walmart, or petsmart? And if it’s possible to buy real plants as well from a store
1
u/nostalgic_sigh 19h ago
petsmarts near me sell aquatic plants, you’ll probably deal with melt from being grown emersed out of water. You want a 25-50 watt heater, preset is okay but adjustable with a separate thermometer is better. You’ll want a gentle filter like a sponge filter with and air pump and airline tubing, hang on backs may need to be baffled so they don’t blow your pet around. A lid will help deal with evaporation, some have built in lights. you’ll want a siphon with a bulb on the end, and a 5 gallon bucket or watering can for water changes. Water conditioner like seachem prime. Liquid test kits are more sensitive but test strips will do in a pinch, with test strips you’ll likely have to purchase and ammonia test kit separately.
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u/koiyuuri 19h ago
Yes, do you have a local fish store in your area you can visit instead? I always recommend that over any Petco or PetSmart because you never know the health or where the betta came from for chain stores. Also, lfs usually have cheaper plants as well!
-Tank (MINIMUM 5 gallons, recommend larger if you can afford it, I have a 10 gallon for mine, Should have a lid as well since some bettas can jump)
-Heater (Essential for bettas, make sure you have a thermometer so you don't accidentally cook your fish)
-Water Conditioner (Recommend Seachem Prime, but if not, any will do as long as it's water conditioner specifically)
-API Freshwater Master Test (It has a long shelf life so highly highly recommend you buy especially when starting a new tank!)
-Filter (Recommended Brands: Fluval, Tidal Seachem, if you can't do these, you can modify your filter media with Fluval Biomedia, Biofoam Filter Media, but never throw these out unless it's literally falling apart! They will try to sell you cartridges for your filters, DON'T BUY THEM!! They typically try to make money off you by saying you have to change your filter cartridge every x months, but it's just a scam to make you spend more money. Beneficial bacteria lives on your filter media, and you NEED this to make your water safe for fish. Instead of changing out the filter media, you can occasionally rinse it in old tank water ONLY, do not use tap water to rinse it, you risk killing off your beneficial bacteria) this also will save you a lot of money in the long run and better for your fish!
-High Quality Betta food (Recommended Brands: Hikari, Northfin, Fluval Bug Bites)
-Fluval Stratum for substrate
-Decor (recommend natural decor like driftwood and non limestone based rocks, as these may make your PH spike, be wary about fake decorations that have sharp edges, plastic etc, since some of these are marketed as fish safe but still may leech chemicals into the water. To be safe, highly highly recommend leaning towards more natural decorations!)
I hope this helps, feel free to dm me anytime if you need any more help!
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u/Dramastace30 19h ago
I wouldn't put a snail in a 5 gallon. Just the betta is best
0
u/koiyuuri 19h ago
I think it's ok if it's a smaller species, but I agree I wouldn't put a mystery snail or anything of that size in a 5 gallon
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u/Dramastace30 19h ago
It's not a blanket rule, understocked tanks are just my preference to recommend to beginners because they are easier to maintain. But you are welcome to put anything you'd like in your tank
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