Betta tank: step-by-step setup

6 steps from choosing the spot to adding the first fish.

1. 20 L or more

   Not a cup: 20 L with a lid (they jump), 25–50 W heater at 26–28 °C, sponge or gentle filter (long fins hate flow).

2. Soft decor

   Live or silk plants, catappa leaves and a cave. No sharp plastic that tears fins.

3. Cycle the tank (the key step)

   Fill with dechlorinated water, run filter and heater, add an ammonia source (a pinch of food daily or 2 ppm ammonia) plus bottled bacteria. Test every two days: ammonia rises, then nitrite, then nitrate. Ready when ammonia and nitrite read zero three times in a row and nitrate shows (2–6 weeks). Log the tests and Zajel shows the stage.

4. Tank mates

   Never two males. In 40 L+: corydoras, rasboras, snails. Avoid guppies and fin-nipping barbs.

5. Spawning

   A 20–40 L spawn tank with 10–15 cm of water and a leaf for the nest. Condition the female behind a divider two days, remove her after spawning; remove the male when fry swim (day 2–3). Fry food: infusoria, microworms, then brine shrimp.

6. Maintenance routine

   Feed once or twice a day what is eaten in 2–3 min, one fast day a week. Change 20–30% weekly with matched, treated water. Rinse filter sponges in old tank water, never tap water. Test weekly. Zajel reminds you.