Aquarium Dimensions

All About Aquariums

Betta Tank Heaters

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Most of the aquarium kits don’t include a heater as some fish don’t need one. However, if you have Betta fish, then the heater is required because Bettas are habituated to a tropical environment that has warmer temperatures. Without a heater, your Betta tank water gets closely influenced by the surrounding air temperature. And unless your house is kept at 78-80 degrees, you need a Betta tank heater to keep your Betta active and healthy.

If you wish to have an energetic, healthy and long-living Betta, you require a flawlessly working Betta fish tank. By purchasing a good aquarium heater, you get what you pay for i.e. they heat your tank effectively and maintain a consistent temperature that is vital for your Betta’s health.

Here is a list of some of the best heaters which are affordable and create the optimal tropical environment to have happy Betta.

Fluval Marina Submersible Heater for Aquarium, Mini

This Fluval Marina Submersible Heater for Aquarium is a small yet powerful heating provider for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. This heater comes in a 25 watt model for up to 5.5 gallons and a 50 watt model for 10 gallons tanks. It is an inexpensive submersible heater that only at 6 inches length can find a home in one of the smallest and oddly shaped Betta fish tanks. It includes bracket and suction cups which makes installing it a breeze and can be easily adjusted to heat the tank to your desired temperature. Moreover, it comes with an impact-resistant glass design along with a waterproof sealing. Fluval Marina Submersible Mini Heater is very accurate which gives only very little temperature fluctuation. It is a great and affordable choice for fish hobbyists looking for a good heater for betta tanks.

FREESEA Aquarium Fish Tank Submersible Heater

FREESEA Aquarium Fish Tank Submersible Heater with LED Temperature Display is another top choice when it comes to buying a good betta tank heater. It comes in different power ratings and is available in 50 watts, 75 watts, 100 watts and 200-watt models which are according to the size of betta tanks. This heater offers a good display that offers accurate temperature reading which can be adjusted to where it is warm enough for your betta tank. There is no need to buy another thermometer. Furthermore, it features a constant temperature function that turns off the heater when it reaches a predefined temperature. This helps in preventing the water from overheating making it safe for the Betta fish. Additionally, it comes with easy to use controls that makes it another great choice when considering heater for your betta tank. However, it has only one downfall i.e. its cord is not long enough so you need to put the tank near the outlet.

Tetra HT Submersible Aquarium Heater

Tetra HT Submersible Aquarium Heater is one of the top picks when considering betta tank heaters. It features an indicator light that turns on when the heater is on. The light is red during heating and green when the suitable temperature has been achieved. This heater comes with a built-in electronic thermostat that maintains the temperature of water at 78 degrees. Some people don’t prefer it for not being adjustable but others like it for this particular reason. You can just simply put it in tank water, turn it on and start using it. Tetra HT Submersible Aquarium Heater works ideally for aquariums between 2-10 gallons size. It can be put both horizontally and vertically in an aquarium. Moreover, it has easy installation and since it has a reasonably small size, it does not take much space in your Betta fish tank. It is a fairly simple and basic heater that comes with an internal thermometer.

Eheim Jagger Aquarium Thermostat Heater

Eheim Jagger Aquarium Thermostat Heater is specifically designed to keep your fish tank simple and effortless. Its most notable feature is its capability of colder temperatures that can go down to 65 degrees, perfect for those who live in hot areas and the goal of their heater is primarily to keep the temperature of water consistent. It comes in a variety of different power ratings with the 300-watt version being rated for up to 100 gallons tanks. At 20 inches this heater requires a tank that is shaped in a way that allows it to be fully submerged. Eheim also offers smaller models of this heater down to 25 watts that are suitable for 5-gallons tank. It features an easy to read temperature dial that can be adjusted with 0.5 degrees increments at one time allowing fine control over the temperature of the tank. This heater ensures safety by automatically shutting off when the tank water’s temperature drops too low. It also prevents the heater from running itself dry. Moreover, it is a shockproof and shatterproof heater that can be easily installed with the help of included mounting bracket and suction cups.

Aqueon PRO Submersible 50W Heater

Aqueon Pro Submersible Heater is one of the best heaters available for your betta tank. It features an adjustable heating setting that ranges from 68-88 degrees that provide the ideal temperature of 78 degrees for Bettas, right in the middle. This heater is highly durable and shatterproof as well. It features an LED light that is red during heating and green when the desired temperature has been achieved. You don’t need to worry about tank overheating as it automatically turns off when it is at the set temperature. It is a fully submersible heater that consists of an electronic thermostat for an accurate temperature setting. Moreover, it can be used for both saltwater and freshwater tanks. This heater can be positioned both horizontally and vertically. Its only disadvantage is that initially, it takes a little while to heat the tank.

ViaAqua 50-Watt Quartz Glass Submersible Heater

ViaAqua 50-Watt Quartz Glass Submersible Heater is high quality and one of the best-selling heater that includes a fully adjustable temperature and a clear display that helps you make easy adjustments. The quartz glass construction makes it durable and high quality. It comes with suction cups which makes it easy to install. At 8.2 inches length, this heater is fit for a tank size of up to 13 gallons. It comes with a built-in thermostat that allows a temperature range of 68-93 degrees. This heater does a great job of maintaining a consistent temperature. But it may require a separate thermometer as the thermostat is not the most accurate.

Aquarium Salt for Betta

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Betta fish is a shiny colored sensitive fish that have unique behavior. It can easily get stressed and irritated by sudden atmospheric changes which can also affect its health with this behavior. 

Using aquarium salt can be considerably beneficial for your Betta’s health if used properly and after thorough research. It is an inexpensive preventative measure that is not hazardous to the beneficial bacteria in your tank when used at the suggested dose. It is worth considering how just an ounce less can be ineffective and one extra ounce of salt can kill your Betta fish. Hence, using aquarium salt at the recommended dose is highly important. 

Types of Aquarium Salt for Betta

Epsom salt 

Magnesium sulfate which is a saline laxative used as a remedy to reduce swelling in humans. It has the same positive effects on fish too. It can be easily found everywhere, usually in first aid aisles, general stores or even in gas stations. This salt often comes with dyes and scents to be used by humans, but you should ensure that it is unscented and undyed Epsom when using for your fish. You can use 1 Tablespoon of Epsom salt per gallon of water. Betta fish should stay for 10-15 minutes in Epsom, with 10 for less severe need and 15 for a more severe need but never exceed this time. You should also acclimate your fish for 2-5 min before returning to the tank in this mixture to avoid shock. The benefits of using Epsom salt include:

It helps in treating swim bladder disorder and works as a laxative for Betta.

It helps the fish to swim and be able to sink better.

Basic Aquarium Salt 

Sodium chloride which is exclusively found in aquarium shops and general stores with fish sections. It is the most inexpensive of all fish salts used. This salt can also be found as non-iodized salt, table salt or even ice cream salt. It is the simple salt we use for our daily purposes. However, the only difference is that aquarium salt does not contain any additives and comes from evaporated sea water. You can use 1 Tablespoon of Aquarium Salt per gallon of water. Betta can stay for 5-8 minutes in this salt mixture depending on the severity of the illness but do not exceed this time. The time recommended for Betta to stay in this mixture is relatively less because it is reportedly more uncomfortable and dangerous as compared to Epsom salt. You should acclimate your fish for 2-3 minutes before going back to the tank in this mixture. This time duration is again less than Epsom to prevent the fish from being exposed to a higher dose of salt for a longer time. Its benefits include:

  • It features unlimited medicinal properties that are effective in treating many Betta fish diseases such as fin rot, helps heal wounds, fights infections, and prevent parasites like Velvet and Ich from sticking to fish. 
  • It can enhance your fish’s capability to produce a protective slime coat which helps it when recovering from bacterial infection. 
  • Removing water from the body is one of the main tasks of Betta’s kidneys, it lessens stress by aiding gill and kidney function in your Betta. By adding salt to the Betta tank, the amount of water that is absorbed by Betta is reduced which in turn puts less pressure on its gills and kidneys which enhances its kidney function. 

Both these salts have positive influences on your Betta’s health. Epsom salt is popular for reducing swelling in humans so it is effective in curing swelling in fish as well. Betta fish is preferable to aquarium salt and is compatible with Epsom salt. 

When not to use Aquarium salt and Epsom salt?

Aquarium salt is of higher concentration and power that is useful for many healing purposes in fish. But this salt should be avoided when you want to treat bloating because your Betta fish requires to pass water and fluids and aquarium salt can potentially become a barrier when treating bloating. 

You should prefer avoiding Epsom salt in any case except bloating, swelling and wound infections. However, if you use it at times to treat your healthy fish, their immune system will be increased. 

Let us take a look at some of the aquarium salts for Betta fish available in the market.

API Aquarium Salt

API has been providing innovative and research-driven solutions for aquariums and fish for over 50 years. This API Aquarium Salt for freshwater aquariums supplies the essential electrolytes that improve fish health and disease recovery. It is made from evaporated sea water and also contains natural active ingredients like natural fish tonic. This salt promotes the overall health of fish by enhancing their gill function and reducing the stress in freshwater aquarium. You can use API Aquarium Salt when setting up a new freshwater aquarium, treating disease or changing the water. You need to take extra care when using this salt with live plants as some of them can be sensitive. This all-natural salt promotes healthy bacterial growth and helps cure and control fish diseases like fin rot and Ich.

Instant Ocean Sea Salt for Marine Aquariums

Instant Ocean Sea Salt for Marine Aquariums is one of the most carefully formulated and preferred sea salt among hobbyists, scientific research facilities and public aquariums. It is fast dissolving and is nitrate and phosphate-free. Furthermore, this salt contains all the essentials major and minor trace elements that are important for a healthy aquarium. It is a great choice for aquarists who wish to re-create a healthy and thriving natural ocean environment at home.

API Pond Salt

API Pond Salt is another pond water salt which supplies electrolytes that promote fish health and disease recovery. Just like API Aquarium Salt, it is also made from evaporated sea water and provides the essential electrolytes required by fish for oxygen uptake and release of carbon dioxide and ammonia from gills. This salt can be added to reduce stress in fish when setting up a new pond, when changing the water and for promoting disease recovery when treating fish health problems.

Betta Fish Water Care

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Betta fish are one of the most sought-after fish in the world. Whether it is due to their rich appearance or active behavior, these little beauties of nature never fail to produce a good impact. According to the popular belief, it is said that they are easy to take care of. However, this is not the truth because, in reality, they require a lot of care.

Clean and healthy water is critical for a good fish tank and betta fish care. If regular attention is given in looking after your pet fish’s water, a lot of problems can be prevented. Betta fish have a higher tolerance for bad water quality and don’t as such require water filters because they have the potential to absorb oxygen from the air and also through their gills when they are in the water. However, the betta fish’s bowl still requires regular water changing and cleaning to maintain its health. It can be seen that with proper care, your betta fish can survive for 2-4 years or sometimes even longer than that. 

Here are some of the things that need to be kept in mind while taking care of the betta fish water.

Use Conditioned Tap Water for your Betta Fish:

Tap water is an easy and most popular choice for betta fish water. Water available from your tap has pH ranging from 6.5-7.5 and betta fish requires a neutral pH of around 7 for thriving in water. This tap water also contains nutrients and trace elements that are required for fish’s health. Tap water can be used for your betta fish if it is conditioned properly that has chloramine and chlorine removed from it because these chemical compounds are hazardous for your fish. Distilled water may also seem an easy solution to use as betta fish water but you should avoid using it because it does not contain any minerals which are required for their health. 

Most of the water conditioners for aquarium are in liquid form that is available in the market and just a few drops of it will instantly do the trick and make tap water safe for your betta fish.

Water Temperature:             

Betta fish are tropical fish, natives of Southeast Asia that live under the sun in rice paddies. They are best in health in similar water temperatures. The ideal water temperature for them ranges from 76-80 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature you select should remain as consistent as possible. This can be attained by installing a heater in your betta fish tank and regularly checking the temperature with a thermometer. Remember sudden changes in temperature can risk your betta’s health by putting them into shock so when adding new water to the betta tank, you should ensure that both the waters, the new water and the already present water in which the betta is swimming, are at the same temperatures which can be easily done by using an invaluable thermometer. Avoid temperature fluctuations and sunny windows when placing your betta fish tank.

Water Renewals:

Fish do all of their living in the surrounding water. This means that fish waste and food leftovers will continuously buildup, producing high levels of ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite, creating an unhealthy environment. All of this can be avoided by changing 15-20% water of betta fish tank weekly. You cannot change all your aquarium water at once because there are beneficial bacteria present in it that maintains optimal water levels for longer. So you should keep your betta’s environment pollution-free with at least one partial water change in a week. Sudden large water changes in the fish environment can stress out your aquatic pet.

Best Fish for 3 Gallon Tanks

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Fishkeeping is a hobby adopted by millions of people around the world. For a long time, a simple bowl was the only small container available to house a fish. Fish tank supply companies spotted a niche and began to mass-produce little tanks that could be easily accommodated in your homes like on a desktop. These mini tanks come in 1, 2, 3 and 5 gallon sizes. They are mostly acrylic and come packed with all the necessary equipment for their set up.

A three gallon fish tank is one of the smallest sizes available. Therefore it is inexpensive and you can place it anywhere you like. Because these fish can survive in a three gallon tank does not mean that their care is easy. You also need to select the right fish wisely for this size of the tank as it is easy to overstock them because they are unable to hold much fish. There are many fish species available in the world but only a small variety can be kept in a 3 gallon tank. To avoid your fish to become stressed or diseased, you should choose small fish that can be accommodated easily in it. Here is a list of fish that are best for a 3 gallon tank:

Bettas   

Male or female Bettas are the most popular and common species in fishkeeping kept in a 3 gallon tank. Although they shouldn’t be kept together. They are prized for their hardy nature and spectacular colors. Bettas are the best three gallon fish tank fish. They have the potential to survive in small tanks and are a great choice for beginners as they are relatively flexible with water parameters.

BettaTank 3-Gallon Fish Bowl with LED Lighting

Betta Tank three gallon fish bowl is a trendy small tank great for beginners, children or those who want something small and decorative for their homes. This is designed for easy setup and maintenance.

Guppies

Guppies particularly males are popular fish species for beginners with small sized tanks. They have colorful and eye-catching tails and are great fun to watch. They brighten up fish tanks due to their beautiful colors. They are small curious fish that do well in a 3 gallon tank, provided the water is kept clean and is warm enough. 

Tetras

Tetras are one of the most exemplary aquarium species. Neon tetras are schooling fish which means they are required to be kept in numbers for their good health and happiness. For this purpose, you can keep 4-5 small Neon Tetras in a three gallon fish tank. 

Otocinclus

Otocinclus are small bottom dweller fish species that help in cleaning your fish tank by eating algae and food decays from surfaces. These can be easily housed in a 3 gallon fish tanks.

Zebra Danios        

These are hardy aquarium species that are a great choice for beginners with small fish tanks. 

Some other recommended fish for a 3 gallon tank is:

  • Salt & Pepper Cory
  • White Cloud Minnows

5-8 groups of Dwarf Shrimp, Cherry shrimp or small snails like Ramshorn Snails can also be kept in such tanks. Ideally, all these fish species need larger tanks to grow healthily. So they should be transferred as they mature.

Best Fish For A 10 Gallon Tank

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10 gallon tanks are very popular among fish hobbyists. These tanks take little space and are easier to maintain. They can add to the décor of homes and offices. Just because you have a 10 gallon tank, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will be limited to a couple of fish species. Here are the best fish for a 10 gallon tank that can keep you company.

Fancy Guppy

Fancy Guppy is the best fish for a 10-gallon tank, especially for new fish keepers. The fish species is a low-maintenance one and will be suitable for novices. Their small size enables you to house half-a-dozen Guppy fishes in a 10-gallon aquarium easily. They also breed without any assistance. You should opt for fishes of the same gender if you don’t want the fish population in your aquarium to multiply. Guppies have attractive colors and will make your fish tank vibrant.

Neon Tetras

Neon Tetras are a great option for the buyers who are searching for the best fish for a 10-gallon tank. Their neon-blue skin with a red stripe makes them an attractive species for aquariums. They are small in size at about 1.25inches, and you can place six or seven neon Tetras in a 10-gallon tank. However, they are sensitive to water changes and should only be added to established tanks instead of newly cycled ones.

Betta

Betta is one of the most popular freshwater fishes among beginners and experienced fishkeepers alike. Their attractive colors and hardy nature makes them the best fish for a 10-gallon tank. You can place two Bettas in a ten-gallon aquarium without any issues. However, they can be aggressive, and you should keep an eye on their behavior to ensure that they get along. Avoid keeping two male Bettas together.

Golden Dwarf Barb

If you are searching for the best fish for a 10-gallon tank, then the Golden Dwarf Barb may be a good choice for you. It is a small-sized fish species and you can keep six to eight of them in a ten-gallon aquarium. They have shiny skin with black stripping and look mesmerizing. Golden Dwarf Barbs have a peaceful nature and are highly active. Clean aquarium water and a rich diet are the primary requirements for them.

Dwarf Corydoras

When it comes to the best fish for a 10-gallon tank, Dwarf Corydoras is an excellent species. These 1-inch fishes prefer to live in schools and you can place quite a few of them in a 10-gallon aquarium. They have a hardy nature and are easy to care for with low maintenance requirements. Dwarf Corydoras have a peaceful nature and can live on a wide variety of food. They do like well-planted aquariums with plenty of leaves.

Celestial Pearl Danio

Aquarium owners looking for the best fish for a 10-gallon tank can also consider Celestial Pearl Danio. It is a small freshwater fish that is found in shallow water bodies. They prefer to live in groups, and you can keep five of them in a 10-gallon tank. Their colorful skin and fins make the aquarium lively. These fishes require medium care level with stable water conditions. Ensure multiple plants and hiding spots for these fishes in the aquarium.