Choosing a Betta Fish Tank (Episode 1)

ADVERTISING

LuxoGear Emergency Whistles with Lanyard

Shop now »

NOCO Genius GEN5X2, 2-Bank, 10A (5A/Bank) Smart Marine Battery Charger

Shop now »

RHINO USA Boat Trailer Transom Straps (2PK)

Shop now »

LUCKY Kayak Portable Fish Depth Finder

Shop now »

Seaview 180 V3 Full Face Snorkel Mask

Shop now »

Most popular comments
for Choosing a Betta Fish Tank (Episode 1)

Live comments
Comments on YouTube

Clxyyn - 6 years ago

This is super helpful, I've been looking for 10 gallon tanks but I'm having trouble with actually getting my hands on one. I'm wanting to get it for a betta, and hopefully turn it into a community tank but I'm not sure if I should get a 5.5 gallon for now and just work with a betta or start right off with a 10 gal community.

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

I would get the bigger if you can. You will only spend more money in the long run if you get the smaller one and then upgrade.

Riley Roduner - 6 years ago

I am getting a female betta in a 10 gallon tank what other fish/snails could i put in with her and how many could i put a few more female bettas in whit her

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Yes.

Riley Roduner - 6 years ago

Thank you could i add a snail

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

I don't recommend anymore females in a 10 gallon tank, it's too small. A female betta with 3-4 smaller fish should work but with betta fish there are never any guarantees they will accept tank mates.

ST0RM - 6 years ago

If you divide the tank how will the water on the side with no filter get filterd?!?!?!?!

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

If the divider has holes the water is filtered as normal. If the divider doesn't have holes we recommend a sponge filter on each side. If you check out our recent divided guppy tank video you will see it in action.

MrBonners - 6 years ago

Is there a maximum depth of a betta tank. I have2- 40 inch tall by 11 inch diameter glass vases.

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Bettas don’t really like deep water, 12-20 inches is better.

chrishasaclue - 6 years ago

What would be the ideal clean up crew for a betta to get rid of uneaten food, alge, or any other waste?

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Nerite snail. They are great cleaners in an aquarium.

Pi Parbuckles - 6 years ago

I keep mine in a 2.5 gallon cylindrical tank. It's pretty heavy planted.

Muhammad Shafieq - 6 years ago

How many gallon we need for 10 Betta fish.?

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

30 gallons or more.

Memes 12 - 6 years ago

Omg

Memes 12 - 6 years ago

Lifewithpets Thank you!!!!

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Congratulations. If you have good filtration and keep up with the water changes you could have 3-4 snails.

Memes 12 - 6 years ago

Is a 3 gallons is a good size for a betta?and if yes how many snail can I add

Memes 12 - 6 years ago

Lifewithpets thank you

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Yes, I wouldn’t add more than 1-2 snails.

10. comment for Choosing a Betta Fish Tank (Episode 1)

mr. doom - 6 years ago

hey.. go girl! u doin a great work...

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Thanks!

Mark Cena - 6 years ago

Would a fluval spec 3 be good enough for a betta? It's only 2.6 gallons

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

It would be ok, they only thing with the fluvial spec tanks is that the filter flow is usually too strong so you'd need to find a way to reduce it.

Dragon Killer - 6 years ago

"tanks are usually cheap" searchs fish tanks $150 FOR A 3 GALLON!?!?!?

Dragon Killer - 6 years ago

NECESSARY FILMS for nevada???? I want a new tank with either some tetras, guppies, mollies, or platies.

NECESSARY FILMS - 6 years ago

Lifewithpets I believe it’s ending November 18th

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

They have one several times a year. I think it’s on at the moment.

Dragon Killer - 6 years ago

wait a minute they have a $1 per gallon sale!?!?! WHEN PLZ TELL ME I WANT A 10 GALLON

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

I don’t know what country you’re in but in the USA tanks are cheap especially if you do the $1 per gallon sale at Petco or shop at thrift stores which is where some of my tanks have come from. My 75 gallon with stand and lights was brand new from Petsmart $150.

algerome28 - 6 years ago

i bought 2 at petsmart of the 2.5 gallon tank but they dont sell the lids at the store nd also tried petsmart. ive had the tanks for 3 weeks and havent set it up yet coz im waiting for the lid i bought on amazon.

oneandonlyMFB - 6 years ago

Hey, Sheila (I hope I spelled your name right, apologies if I didn't)! I've been looking to get a betta fish, and I've been doing a lot of research. I stumbled upon your channel and it's been so helpful! My one question is, do you have any recomendations on what is the best 5-6 gallon tank for a betta? Thanks!

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Hi, I don't sorry. We never buy kit tanks so I'm not familiar with reviews etc. I know a lot of people like the fluval spec but the filter flow on that is very strong so it would need to be adjusted.

Notice Me Genki - 6 years ago

You mentioned that betta fish like to jump, and I've heard of fish that are very insistent on jumping and smack themselves onto the tank lid. My question is, is there a way I could cushion my lid so that if that happened my betta wouldn't hurt themselves?

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Not that I'm aware of. Bettas typically only will jump if there tank water is toxic and they're trying to escape it.

DasGeheimnisvolleIch - 6 years ago

This series comes just in time, since I just want to give all my bettas new tanks. I'm not to happy with my current setup. Thank you so much :)

Pepsi - 6 years ago

my aunt used to have 3 gold fish in your background tank at the begin .they live 9 years after my aunt die they are in the pond now

Brad Rawlings - 6 years ago

What light would u recommend for 2.5 gallon aquarium?

Buzsaw Bowser - 6 years ago

Have you seen the video proving that Bettas can be mixed into community tanks as long as they have places to retreat from other males and enough females to share?

It was a really interesting video. Made by a girl called AquaZone Aquarium Services Mtl Izabella
Go ahead and give it a watch. :)

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

I had already seen it and personally don't think it proves anything. The tank is very nicely set up and heavily planted a good environment for bettas. The bettas fins in her videos are very damaged which is likely due to fighting and nipping. Whilst this may appear to work for her I definitely wouldn't recommend it.

20. comment for Choosing a Betta Fish Tank (Episode 1)

aliciabeme - 6 years ago

I love this series! Thank you!

Ella Plumley - 6 years ago

I have my betta in a 2.65 gallon and I just got at a garage sale a 5 gallon tank with lid, filter, and air pump so I will be moving him into that soon. :)

TheGolemHunter - 6 years ago

Like the video. Do you know how to expand my bettas home without getting rid of a tank? Its a 2.5 with everything in it but bugs me a bit because it does not look too big. I can buy a bigger tank someday but what would i use the 2.5 for?

cynthia dameron - 6 years ago

Will the series also include appropriate tank mates for Bettas?

Daniel Rodrigues - 6 years ago

Was waiting for this ever since you mentioned it in a previous video

Daniel Rodrigues - 6 years ago

Awesome series lifewithpets

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Thanks!

Creative Pet Keeping - 6 years ago

Really great info. I hope a lot of new betta owners see this!

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Thanks, it's been a lot of work, but I hope it really helps people.

James Victor - 6 years ago

Ive got my betta a 10 gallon tank . I do weekly water changes and do everything for it . Hes got finrot and fungus on his lips . I did salt treatment but it never worked so im using MetroPlex .

James Victor - 6 years ago

Marie sadly not

Marie - 6 years ago

James Victor is he better now?

Grimalkin Felidae - 6 years ago

Bigger is always betta! (HUEHUEHUE)
20L (5gal) is perfect for a betta, but nothing is bad about something bigger. Love that you're also covering cycling! So many people know nothing about the nitrogen cycle and keep their poor animals in tap water.
If you want schooling community fish like tetras, make sure you have at least another 40L (10gal).

Great video! Can you do something like this for goldfish? Bettas and goldfish are two of the most widely abused animals kept.

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Thank you. I may do something like this in the future for other fish, but this has been an awful lot of work.

JPs VlogUK - 6 years ago

Here now watching you

30. comment for Choosing a Betta Fish Tank (Episode 1)

Dolphincutie World - 6 years ago

Great video! That's very awesome you are doing videos like this it will help others a lot. When I first wanted a betta you where the first channel to learn from. Just want to say thanks!

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Thank you!

dbachelor's Planted Aquarium - 6 years ago

Nice series :)

elephantsarefriends - 6 years ago

You are amazing! I bought a 10 gallon aquarium a month or 2 ago, and still haven't set it up because I'm scared I will mess something up. Thank you for this! I can't wait to watch the rest of the episodes.

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

I hope this will help you get it set up and start enjoying fish.

Leilicorn - 6 years ago

In Australia tanks are so expensive

Venkat Raman - 6 years ago

Glass or acrylic which is best?? And what will be the cost of 100 gallon acrylic aquarium??

Venkat Raman - 6 years ago

Thank you.

T Buzz - 6 years ago

I would say glass

tecto12 - 6 years ago

Yesss !!! I'm already loving this series :)

Chris Schamahorn - 6 years ago

I have a 5 gallon tank with 4 neon tetras in it, do you think it would be ok to add a beta ?

Chris Schamahorn - 6 years ago

Any idea if I added 1 nerite, how many shrimp I could add ?

Chris Schamahorn - 6 years ago

Lifewithpets ok thks, I guess I'll add some shrimp and/or snails then

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

No it wouldn't make any difference.

T Buzz - 6 years ago

A female betta would not make any difference. I would not add any more fish. Your fish tank is already stocked enough with the neon tetras.

Zuki - 6 years ago

Chris Schamahorn neons need like,10g with a betta male or female would be more

Chris Schamahorn - 6 years ago

Lifewithpets what about if it was a female betta ? Would that make a difference ?

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

I wouldn't add a betta if you've already got 4 neons in the tank. I think it's too small for a betta and neons. I think it would be stressful for the betta.

Asherly EverAfter - 6 years ago

It really just depends on your Betta. One of my Bettas did well with my guppies and the other one would eat them.

Tibbetts 2002 - 6 years ago

The 5.5 gallon was made by Aqua Culture. I have two of them

Giancarlo Soto-Cervantes - 6 years ago

Thanks for this video, I think a lot of people think that you can put a betta in a unfiltered 1 gallon tank. I am not accusing I have actually done it and I Deeply regret it. on my birthday I wasted 40 dollars on buying new 5.5 gallon tanks and now my bettas are ssoooooo happy. Please please buy at least a 2.5 gallon for your betta fish( For any starting betta fish keepers)

Livin' Life in the TTC - 6 years ago

Very good video!!! Well edited, and well explained!!! Loved it!!!

Joy Barton - 6 years ago

Love this video looking forward to the series! I got 5.5 for one betta and want to move my other guy from his 2.5 to a 5 gallon as well. Makes such a difference. Thank you.

The Toxic Fish - 6 years ago

You should do a part of how to pick a betta fish with good health

T Buzz - 6 years ago

Usually you want to look for an active betta. Make sure the betta doesn't have any white spots or fungus on it. Also make sure it is swimming properly and not floating around lifelessly.

aby f - 6 years ago

Great video Sheila! It's very informative. Thank you for informing new betta fish owners on how to setup the ideal betta fish tank. So many misconceptions on the little guys on how to properly care for them. I cannot wait for this series!

$Nana \\$

Nana \\ - 6 years ago

My sister has a betta in a vase, i want to buy her a five gallon, a sponge filter, proper food, tank decor, heater, better food, everything she needs for him along with a care sheet, does this sound like a good idea to help educate her?

$Nana \\$

Nana \\ - 6 years ago

Lifewithpets okay :) I will mention this channel and the series in the care guide i write, so she can come see this channel and learn more

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

I think that's a great idea. Have her watch this series too!

PilleR - 6 years ago

My betta boy lives alone in a filtered, heated and heavily planted 12 gallon tank that sits beside my computer screen :)

Msmjj777 - 6 years ago

I wish I saw this video way before I started the hobby exactly last year today lolSo far I have 3 tanks just because I kept upgrading smh I could of saved a lot of money

Christina Israel - 6 years ago

Wish this series was done before my betta died.

T Buzz - 6 years ago

oh no :(

Space Sheep - 6 years ago

Christina Israel same

DerpyCOWfish - 6 years ago

I hope to get a betta one day but I'm starting with my goldfish first and keeping my 20 ish litre as an isolation/hospital tank till I have all the goldfish I can keep in my 215 litre.
till then I can only dream.....

jaiana Thomas - 6 years ago

DerpyCOWfish,HELLO CHEESE!

T Buzz - 6 years ago

Definitely go for it! Betta fish are such interesting fish with different personalities :)

Ms Lady - 6 years ago

I have a question, my bettas has white fins but I noticed that the tips are black. I also noticed that's his body is turning blue ish. I can't tell if the fins are fin rot or if he's just changing colours.

Ms Lady - 6 years ago

I don't want to treat him for fin rot if I'm not too sure that it even is fin rot. I wouldn't think it's good for the fish.. which brings me to another question, if I were to medicate him for fin rot but he didn't actually have it, would that hurt him?

Ms Lady - 6 years ago

T Buzz the tips seem fine I think. They just look ruffled. He lives in a 3 gallon tank with a filter, no heater because its always warm anyways. He has two plants in his tank, if that matters

T Buzz - 6 years ago

Do the tips of his tail look raggedy? If the tail looks kind of rough and torn up, it could be fin rot. Tell me about his environment, is he in a bowl or a filtered tank?

Sona Avakian - 6 years ago

So glad you're making this series. I have a question, how can I get rid of brown algae? My tanks been set up for months and my water quality is great but ever after I rinse the algae off the sides it grows back. Thanks!

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

I couldn't have put it any better than this. Thanks for answering.

aby f - 6 years ago

Sona Avakian I know you asked Sheila but I thought I'd give you my little piece of advice. Usually brown algae is caused in newly setup aquariums, it's a algae called diatoms. Generally it's caused by an abundance of nutrients, low oxygen levels, inadequate lighting, and an excess of silicates and nitrates. To prevent brown algae, do weekly water changes (this will vary depending on your tank size, stock, etc), provide good lighting, gravel vacuum the substrate weekly, and remove algae when you see it starts to form. Hope this helps!

50. comment for Choosing a Betta Fish Tank (Episode 1)

Odyssey Farm - 6 years ago

Hi Sheila! This video couldn't have more perfect timing. I've had bettas for years, then took a break, and am now getting back into it. I've always done individual tanks with gravel and silk plants, but am now in the planning stages of a planted 20 gal long divided tank, and possibly a female sorority/community tank as well. Your tanks are stunning, and were the inspiration behind it, but I do have some questions I was hoping to run past you somehow. I plan to buy your dividers and sponge filters as well. Is there a way to get in touch with you outside of YouTube? Thank you!

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Thank you. Yes you can contact me through the business email address in the description box or DM on Instagram.

JesusTheGoat - 6 years ago

When will you be selling cherry shrimp? I'm intrested in purchasing some. Love your videos btw!

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Thanks. It won't be for a while yet. We need to build a big colony first.

Animals Supreme - 6 years ago

For those who might have a bad day my betta has a hammock but my apple snail always uses it

Animals Supreme - 6 years ago

aby f lol

Mocha Poodle - 6 years ago

Animals Supreme cuteeeee

aby f - 6 years ago

Animals Supreme My betta has a hammock but I use it instead.

Goobie Collier - 6 years ago

i'm so excited to watch the whole series!!

JessicaLuvsMakeup - 6 years ago

It's sucks that your don't ship to Canada

JessicaLuvsMakeup - 6 years ago

Lifewithpets yeah cause I really wanted to buy one cause I'd probably cut a finger off or mess up

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

I wish we could!

KC Concepcion - 6 years ago

I already have 2 happy bettas in planted tanks but I'm really looking forward to this series. I find that every video I watch, I learn something new about bettas and taking care of them and the tank. I already know this is gonna be a great and helpful series! I hope anyone that's wanting to get a betta will watch this series first! ☺️

Dude King - 6 years ago

In england from maidenhead aquatics a 15 gallon tank costs £100 about $120

Monkey Nut - 6 years ago

My 125 was 350... and that was on sale !!

Bri Bri - 6 years ago

Dang! Where I live it would be about 30-35 dollars

Adam Potts - 6 years ago

Dude King my 135 liter Aqua One tank cost me £419.99 !!

Mysmall petshop - 6 years ago

yeah mine was £90 from there but they often have sales :)

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Wow, expensive!

Monkey Nut - 6 years ago

Awsome, I'm just after a betta too. In my 10 litre

James Straub - 6 years ago

Looking forward to this very helpful series.

Lexi :3 - 6 years ago

Very excited for this series!!!

Michael Agostino - 6 years ago

Excellent video! I think this is going to be a great series to watch, looking forward to more.

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Thank you!

Indo Betta Fish - 6 years ago

best tank for betta fish. we just second bottle used for our fish

Anthony Ragan - 6 years ago

What ratio of vinegar to water do you use for cleaning?

The Fish Nerd - 6 years ago

Good advice! Better to have more tank than you need than not enough. :)

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Thanks.

Chlexie L. - 6 years ago

Thank you Sheila!! You have always answered any question I asked while trying to care for my betta and I just wanted to tell you how much I've appreciated being able to have that help. As you suggested, I do the daily water change on his tank now that he's in a smaller one and can't use the filter. It has been going extremely well. Even though it's smaller- it's longer, so he has more vertical space. I bought the Bug Bites....he has zero interest. Loves frozen shrimp and dried bloodworms only

Paw Print - 6 years ago

Wonderful series and as always very informative. Gonna help so many beginners in the hobby to buy the right tanks for their bettas.

Brianna Saffie - 6 years ago

Love the idea for this series! It's going to help me so much (:

Jodi Bradley - 6 years ago

Yay I am happy to have found this series! New subbie

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Thanks!

Victoria Bingham - 6 years ago

I have one male crowntail betta at home in a 15 gallon with cories shrimp lots of mystery and nerite snails (babies included) and yellow lab babies who are growing out in that tank. At work the biggest tank I can get away with is my 2.5 it's an upgrade from the original .5 they allowed last year. The 2.5 only has a 5 or 6 month old female crowntail, but there is some weird fuzzy stuff growing on the wood plants and sand.. idk if there's anything I can do to get rid of it. When I set the tank up at home and had it there for a while this never happened.

T Buzz - 6 years ago

That is probably from the driftwood. Don't worry about it, its not harmful. Just keep cleaning the white film off and it should disappear in a few weeks.

Victoria Bingham - 6 years ago

T Buzz I do have driftwood in the 2.5 gallon. There's also a sort of film that gets on the glass. Would that also be from the driftwood?

T Buzz - 6 years ago

Do you have drift wood in there? When you first put drift wood in a fish tank, it will have a white fungus growing on it. Just keep removing it manually and it will eventually go away.

Brea Pitchford - 6 years ago

Thank you for doing this series! I just got my package from you and I am so impressed!

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Thank you!

DaxxLexx - 6 years ago

I bought my fish tank before I thought about what to keep in it. It's a 7.5 g cube shaped tank with a raised base, it really nice looking. At that size I thought a betta was the best option. My other betta tank is just a regular 5.5 g. When I've told pet store employees about them they always say that they're very lucking betta fish, but after having my fish for awhile, I personally don't think I would be comfortable keeping a betta in a 2.5 g. I don't think it's bad if other people do though, every time I go to the pet shop they're other people buying those little sad .5 g tanks, seeing a 2.5 g tells me at least the person has done their research on betta care.

Shaina Kristjanson - 6 years ago

thx a lot that really helped me

MintChocolate - 6 years ago

This is such a helpful series! People have this misconception that proper Betta fish care ( providing a filtered tank the right size, feeding a variety of foods Etc.) has to be expensive or difficult and that's just not true. I hope this series can help people understand a bit more about how to provide these beautiful fish with a healthy environment. They are so often mistreated and neglected and much of the time simply because the owners don't know that they're doing something wrong or don't have the right information

MintChocolate - 6 years ago

Rumer Priestly It doesn't have to be. I found a 30 gallon tank complete with (broken) light and hood for $12 at a thrift store, replaced the broken light for around $20, $17 for a hang on back filter, two bags of natural aquarium gravel at Walmart was around $5 each, live plants cost anywhere between $3-$8 and depending on the size of your tank and if you only have a betta you don't need it that heavily planted at first. Walmart sells a 10 gallon aquarium kit complete with an LED light and filter that's reasonably low-flow for a Betta for under $30. that's the most reasonable price for an aquarium kit that I found. Generally speaking, I think it's best to get the tank itself secondhand and then buy the important accessories first and accumulate the plants and decorations slowly over time, taking advantage of sales and (fish safe) diy alternatives to typical hides and decorations. Kits sold at chain pet stores usually tend to be extremely overpriced and it's best to stay away from them. Especially if they're marketed towards bettas. there's no way 2.5 gallon tank kit should be the price that most box stores sell them for. They're not even a proper size

Rumer Priestly - 6 years ago

MintChocolate it is rather expensive, though. I've gone for most of the cheapest methods and I'm still looking at over £100 to set up my betta tank, and that's before the fish!

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Thank you. I really hope this series will help people with their bettas and any who are looking into getting a betta fish.

blackleg san - 6 years ago

Hi isit normal for hm male betta to stay on the floor?

blackleg san - 6 years ago

Lifewithpets abit ya u think maybe it cause of the temperature ?

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

When you say sunny, what is the constant temperature, does the temperature drop at night?

blackleg san - 6 years ago

T Buzz 2 gallon tank with no heater as my country is sunny

T Buzz - 6 years ago

It is not normal. Can you tell me about his environment? Is he kept in a bowl or a heated fish tank?

blackleg san - 6 years ago

Lifewithpets do u know why? It not cuz of swimming bladder i think

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

No, that's not normal.

Hope Z - 6 years ago

Yayyy a video series!!!!! So excited

Noah Fagello - 6 years ago

I want the next video already

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Thanks! It will be up tomorrow or Thursday.

Special C - 6 years ago

I have one 5.5 gallon for my Betta fish Kevin and a 4.5 for my new betta fish witch is shipping right now

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Great tank sizes!!

MissLadyFair Pets - 6 years ago

This is great! I agree 100% with getting the bigger tank! Bigger tanks in my experience are easier to keep, especially when it comes to the water parameters! My smaller tanks are more "work" than my bigger tanks

Lifewithpets - 6 years ago

Thanks! I don't have any issues with my smaller tanks in fact I think they're much easier to care for but I don't want to encourage small tanks. Also I think if you're a beginner just starting out, small tanks can be difficult to balance. This is series has taken a long time to do! We've been working on it for about 5-6 weeks!!