Why is this recommended in regards to bettas?

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You seem to know a lot about bettas.

The reason a larger filtered and cycled tank is recommended on this site is usually because of the people asking.

They usually don't understand filters, water chemistry, water changes, etc. For these people, a larger filtered tank is better.

Also, I have my betta in a 5 gallon and I don't think I would keep him in anything smaller than 2.5. Even a 5 gallon weighs 40+ pounds. It would damage the tank to pick it up and do a 100% water change.

For me it is a personal thing that has worked well, so I recommend it to others. If you have been keeping fish for a long time, you can come up with other things that work because you understand water chemistry/cycling etc....Show more

I've owned bettas for many year, ever since I was about 3. And one of my bettas lived to be about 6.5 years old. And none of them lived in anything bigger than a gallon, never had a real heater(besides sunlight), and never had a filter.
Here are some basic rules for keeping happy, healthy bettas:
1. Choose a healthy betta! If it's sitting in a jar in a pet store, and isn't moving...most likely, something is wrong.
2. I prefer females. They're smaller, so you can have them in a smaller tank/vase/bowl. And many of the females are just as pretty as the males. Plus, the females are the ones at the store that rarely ever get bought, because everyone prefers males. My female, has medium fins, and has a mermaid color-scheme. Purple, teal, blue, green colors.
3. Don't overfeed. Many people make this mistake. The little pellets they make for bettas, they only need 2 or 3 of those a day. I feed mine two in the morning and one at night.
4. Heating. Bettas are actually tropical fish. I've always kept mine in front of a window, in direct sunlight, and the water stays warm enough for them. And at night, when the sun goes down(just like it does in nature), it's okay for their water to get a bit colder.
5. I prefer using tap water, with a water conditioner in it. Make sure it removes Chlorine, Chloramine, and Ammonia. And I do a water change about every 2 weeks..and the water never gets cloudy. And when I do a water change...I let the water that I'm going to put back into the fish bowl sit out for a day before I put it in, to get it closer to room temp, so it won't be too warm, or too cold.
6. Their home/habitat. I usually keep my females in a half gallon fish bowl. I use river-bed type SMOOTH rocks, and I use soft pet store-bought plants(don't over crowd the tank/bowl).
7. Pay attention to bettas. Put them in a room that you're in a lot, and when you walk by their tank, run your finger across it, it'll make them come to the side and start chasing your finger. It's too cute. >_<...Show more

ok. A 5 gallon tank expenditures in easy terms a tiny bit greater suitable than a 2.5 gallon tank. Anw. it relatively is all approximately stability and greater water potential greater stable temperature. A 2.5 gallon tank is impossible to maintain clean, a betta that must be faraway from its tank a week which you may replace all of the water is under pressure to loss of life relatively. additionally breeders do no longer prefer filters, the wonderful filter out is the flora. stay flora feed on the waste of fish (ammonia, nitrites nitrates and stuff). that's why they do no longer use any filters. A filter out is nesescary for my section. some human beings do no longer use any yet those human beings do no longer care if their fish stay for some months extremely of years. A betta can easily stay 5 years if dealt with. A betta can stay in a 2.5 gallon tank heated even and not making use of a filter out yet that's on condition which you're an authority. A 5 gallon tank is lots greater easy to maintain so it relatively is greater secure for the fish. that's why maximum individuals say that 5 gallons is the minimum....Show more

i personally feel anything less than five gallons is just uncomfy for them. 100% water changes can add stress because your transporting the fish twice.
as for filters I think it's just easier for most. It's not a real necessity but it does make the fish more comfortable.
I don't understand why everyone thinks bettas are meant to be in little containers while their goldfish and other fish get the tank size they deserve. it's like everyone thinks just cuz their pretty and dont always swim like crazy they don't deserve it.
These are just my feelings, no I don't have proof as to why they should have big tanks but I know my fish appreciates it way more....Show more

I have been doing a lot of research on line and at various pet stores with all of the associates. Everyone says the same thing ... it all depends on your betta... every betta is different - what works for 1 may not work for another - your betta's personality is like a human - some like smaller area's and some like larger, some like being around other fish and some don't.
I know it really isn't a black and white answer but unfortunately or fortunately betta's are not just black and white creatures!...Show more