Betta Tank Ideas?

[turtall]

A long time ago I found a glass brick with a hole cut in one side. A natural pack rat, I kept it. When my wife wanted a Betta it seemed natural to use the brick. Also, since she likes houseplants, she decided to use it to start rooting cuttings from (non- toxic of course, but most of them are) cuttings.
The roots grow out fast and ad a nice look to the tank.
Since we have a cat I cut 1/2 inch hardware cloth fit to clip to the undersides of the hole and bent individual barbs of it upwards and believe me they do draw blood! Ours, of course; the cat doesn't bother it.
I just wondered if any one else houses Bettas in different ways, other than store bought bowls and 'lights'.
P.S. The pics don't do him justice this is a rare monster Betta.

 

[rumblesushi]

what is it with keeping bettas in tiny unfiltered tanks? Why is it more acceptable to keep a betta this way but not other fish?

 

[turtall]

what is it with keeping bettas in tiny unfiltered tanks? Why is it more acceptable to keep a betta this way but not other fish?

Bettas are 'ditch fish". They breath atmospheric air and so can be kept in very small containers, in almost any kind of water. Looking at their shape, it's easy to tell they aren't torpedos that need a lot of room. And since two males will fight regardless the size of the tank, it's easier to keep them separated in smaller compartments.
We, of course, do regular water changes (this guy even gets bottled water). My wife was doing the W/C this morning when I started wondering about other ways to house them.

 

[HarleyK]

Bettas [...] can be kept in very small containers

Do you do everything that you can in your life, or do ethics also play a role?

HarleyK

 

[turtall]

Hey, I'm quoting Dr. Axelrod here.

 

[Mourinho18]

Do you do everything that you can in your life, or do ethics also play a role?

HarleyK

whats so unethical with keeping a betta in a 5 gallon bowl

 

[TheUnhappiest]

Why are there eggs inside? J/k What is it thou really?

 

[turtall]

Our LFS sells these "Color Rocks" for aquariums that reflect different colors and my wife wanted to try them out.
Incidentally, every LFS I've ever been to sells Bettas in tiny little plastic cups. They receive Betta shipments in plastic bags that resembles bubble wrap with each fish in it's own little 'bubble.'

 

[TONY60]

That's a cool looking fish bowl. I keep my 2 bettas in seperate 5 gal tanks. They have lights and filters, etc.. I brought both of them home at different times. They would have died very soon if I had not. I got a bad habbit of buying sick fish. Figure I might be able to cure them. At least they are offered a peacful place to die.
Bettas change appearence when put in real tank. They get muscular and, their fins get much puffier. Is that a word?

 

[turtall]

You might become a good Fish Doctor! Buying sick fish can be as expensive as a college education but don't be afraid to try different remedies on terminal fish: you could come up with a breakthrough remedy! "At least they are offered a peaceful place to die".
I'm not kidding.
This Betta isn't sick-- he's thriving. "Puffy" fins and all. In the wild they evolved in puddles and ditches, breeding in them, building their bubble nests... Their natural puddle environment was simply so small that there wasn't room for competition so males became so agressive that it became "winner take all". They're still that way. Plus, if they are placed with a female that isn't ready to breed the male might kill her, too!