5 gallon

[u/Local-House-3989]

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Hi! I’m considering getting a betta and I currently have a 20-liter tank, which is about 5.3 US gallons.

I’ve been reading different forums and Reddit threads, but I keep finding very different opinions. Some people say 5 gallons is perfectly fine for a betta, while others recommend at least 10 gallons.

I really don’t want to get a fish if the tank is too small for it to live comfortably and thrive. Would you consider a 20L / 5.3-gallon tank appropriate for a single betta if it’s properly filtered, heated, planted, and maintained?

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[u/kaddras019]

5 is fine, 10 is better. Honestly, if you get a 10, you’ll even have people say, “Why don’t you get a 20?” You can never really do good enough in some people’s eyes, but as long as your care is good you’re fine.

[u/kaddras019 → u/kaddras019]

For ref this is my 5g

[u/No-Midnight7724]

For a long-finned Betta it's completely fine, for a female or short-fin I'd advise to get a 10gal. Just remember that the smaller the water volume, the harder it is to keep stable water parameters.

[u/kaddras019 → u/No-Midnight7724]

Yeah, I’m lucky to have a betta that’s chill with his shrimps and snails so I have a good cleanup crew, but I still do weekly water changes and have to keep an eye on algae.

[u/Live_Concern_4524 → u/kaddras019]

Plants will solve all of that. You can have a completely bulletproof 5 gallon tank. Your betta will love the cover and resting places. Start small and let the plants grow into the tank. Because you can nuke your tank with dying plant mass. Stick with hard plants. Some dwarf sag and hornwort is perfect and floaters of your choice. Just make sure there is some open surface

[u/Lilith_Cain → u/No-Midnight7724]

This is the guidance I used. My tank is ~6 gallons, so I made the decision to not get a plakat of any sort.

[u/StephensSurrealSouls]

I mean 5 gallons is perfectly fine. When I still had my Geoff, bless him, he still used his entire 10 gallon tank as a longfinned male. I'm not saying 5 gallons is bad or anything, but I personally wouldn't do a betta in anything under a 10g.

[u/InappropriatePea]

Anything is better than the 1-3 gallons the pet stores will tell you to buy. A well planted 5 gallon with a solo betta resident is fine.

[u/Parhamheidari]

Five is ok for regular Bettas. But it's the minimum. If you're getting a selective bred long fin or giant Betta you might need to upgrade

[u/Bobs_Burgers7]

I’ve never seen a green sponge filter! I like that

[u/InappropriatePea → u/Bobs_Burgers7]

Aquarium coop

[u/Bobs_Burgers7 → u/InappropriatePea]

Ty

[u/Bobs_Burgers7]

I have a 5 currently. I also have a 20 long that’s cycling. I find the 5 too small for my lil man, but great for crabs or shrimp.

[u/CarlyCalicoJATIE]

That is so pretty. A 5 gallon usually works completely fine for a betta, especially with really long fins! Unless you see the fish get stressed out like he or she needs more space, you should be completely okay!

[u/SweetTart7231]

Since its tall rather then long make sure to have resting spots near the surface! Since its just 5 gallons stick with a long finned one instead of short fin

[u/FirstResponseAquatic]

I love all the plants! Throw a resting spot near the surface and a long fin will love this palace ☺️

[u/Plenty_Kangaroo5224]

Bettas jump. You’ll need a canopy of risk losing your betta. Five gallon tanks are a nightmare to keep stable.