I kept fish tanks (29 and 55 gallon) for years and love fish!
I think for beginners, the Eclipse tanks are awesome. Filtration is great, and the replacement pads are relatively cheap. I kept a 12 gallon for the longest time and loved it! The only extra I bought (which isn't really optional) was a small submersible water heater.
I had zebra danios (very hardy fish!!) and some neon tetras (kind of delicate), and at one time had a school of 7 male guppies (they were so pretty lol!) I kept one male betta with 3 danios and that worked out fine. The thing you don't want to do is put a betta in with anything that has fluffy fins or is wicked colorful - he will think it's a fellow male betta and fight it (and they fight to the death)
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752388&lmdn=Brand
Yes, you do need to change the water, I did 1/3 of the water once a week. As long as you feed them slowly (drop in a few flakes/pellets and wait for the fish to eat them before putting in more) then the tank won't get mucked up.
Eclipse makes a 3 gallon and I think a 6 gallon... just be careful not to get more fish than your tank can fit. A 3 gallon tank would be a great tank for 1 betta! It would be paradise for him LOL!! Or you could put in 3 or 4 zebra danios (as long as you keep up with the water changes!)
Good luck
ETA you do NOT have to leave your water sitting out for days and before getting new fish, nor do you have to add any water conditioner (and water conditioner in the hands of someone who doesn't know how to properly use it can mess with your bacteria levels - good and bad bacteria). The reason "they" (meaning people all over the web/books, not people specifically here on this thread or the Dis lol) say that is becuase you need the chlorine to dissipate. You can simply let it sit overnight or use bottled water (which can get pricey and a huge PITA lol!) ... I used to keep a 1 gallon jug and refilled it with tap water and let it sit in the pantry til water changing day.
I think for beginners, the Eclipse tanks are awesome. Filtration is great, and the replacement pads are relatively cheap. I kept a 12 gallon for the longest time and loved it! The only extra I bought (which isn't really optional) was a small submersible water heater.
I had zebra danios (very hardy fish!!) and some neon tetras (kind of delicate), and at one time had a school of 7 male guppies (they were so pretty lol!) I kept one male betta with 3 danios and that worked out fine. The thing you don't want to do is put a betta in with anything that has fluffy fins or is wicked colorful - he will think it's a fellow male betta and fight it (and they fight to the death)
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752388&lmdn=Brand
Yes, you do need to change the water, I did 1/3 of the water once a week. As long as you feed them slowly (drop in a few flakes/pellets and wait for the fish to eat them before putting in more) then the tank won't get mucked up.
Eclipse makes a 3 gallon and I think a 6 gallon... just be careful not to get more fish than your tank can fit. A 3 gallon tank would be a great tank for 1 betta! It would be paradise for him LOL!! Or you could put in 3 or 4 zebra danios (as long as you keep up with the water changes!)
Good luck
ETA you do NOT have to leave your water sitting out for days and before getting new fish, nor do you have to add any water conditioner (and water conditioner in the hands of someone who doesn't know how to properly use it can mess with your bacteria levels - good and bad bacteria). The reason "they" (meaning people all over the web/books, not people specifically here on this thread or the Dis lol) say that is becuase you need the chlorine to dissipate. You can simply let it sit overnight or use bottled water (which can get pricey and a huge PITA lol!) ... I used to keep a 1 gallon jug and refilled it with tap water and let it sit in the pantry til water changing day.
