Betta Fish Tank Setup with Images – Step by Step

Are you excited to bring home a beautiful betta fish, but feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting information about setting up their tank? Maybe you’ve heard they can live in tiny bowls, or you’re confused about filters and heaters? You’re not alone – many beginners face these exact challenges.

Here’s the truth—setting up the right home is super important for your betta’s health and happiness. A bad setup can stress them out or even shorten betta’s lifespan. But don’t worry—this guide makes it simple. Step by step, we’ll show you how to set up a safe, comfy tank your betta will love.

By the end, you’ll know what gear to get, how to set it up, and what mistakes to avoid. It’s easier than you think—and your betta will thank you with happy swims and bright colors!

Why Proper Betta Tank Setup Matters?

Betta fish come from warm, shallow waters full of plants and slow-moving currents. That’s why tiny bowls or unheated tanks don’t work for them. When their setup isn’t right, bettas can get stressed, sick, lose color, or even die too soon.

You might see things like fin rot or just a sad, tired-looking fish. But give them a proper home—with clean water, the right temperature, and some space to explore—and you’ll see a huge difference. They’ll be active, bright, and even build cute bubble nests. A good setup means a happy, healthy betta that lives much longer.

Process of Setting Up Tank

Your betta hobby journey begins with setting up the perfect tank for your fish. The setup process usually involves three different stages. First, you purchase the tank and its equipment. Second, you set up the tank, and third, you maintain it after it’s set up.

Stage 1

Step 1: Buy a Tank

When setting up a betta tank, the first step is to buy the tank before purchasing the betta fish. Many beginners make the mistake of getting the betta fish before they have the tank, which results in keeping the fish in the container it came in until the setup is complete.

We have a comprehensive article about the ideal and recommended tank size, which we highly recommend you read before buying a tank. To simplify, a 5-gallon tank is suitable for long-finned bettas, while a short-finned betta requires at least a 10-gallon tank.

If you can afford a larger tank, such as a 10-gallon or 20-gallon long tank that provides a large surface area, it will closely resemble their natural habitat and is highly preferable.

Tank Shape

When purchasing a tank, consider its shape. Avoid vertical or tall tanks with minimal horizontal space, as they can make it exhausting for bettas to reach the surface to breathe. Also, tall tanks result in less horizontal space, affecting the swimming pattern of fish.

Step 2: Substrate

Substrate is an important part of the tank setup as it imitates the natural environment and creates a space for beneficial bacteria to thrive. It also anchors plant roots, enabling them to grow effectively. While there are several options available, starting with a basic substrate like sand or gravel is recommended.

Ensure the substrate is about 2 to 3 inches deep to allow adequate anchoring for plant roots. Additionally, choose a substrate color, such as black or brown, that complements the tank.

Step 3: High Quality Heater and Thermometer

Maintaining a warmer temperature is crucial for betta tanks. We recommend using a high-quality aquarium heater, as low-quality tends to become faulty. When that happens, it can retard the metabolism of betta, even if they are only in colder water for a short time.

To keep the aquarium temperature in check use a thermometer and keep it between 78-82°F. It’s quite challenging to maintain a stable temperature in smaller tanks, especially those with less than 5 gallons. This strongly supports our recommendation for larger tanks.

Step 4: Filter

Consider using a low-flow filter with minimal surface agitation when setting up a tank for bettas. Due to their long fins, bettas struggle to swim in strong currents, and a low-flow filter can provide them with a more suitable environment. Bettas prefer calm water, particularly when building bubble nests or coming to the surface to breathe. Apart from that, low or diffused flow is crucial to prevent stress on the bettas.

Choose an adjustable filter that fits the tank size. While sponge filters are great for low flow, they may still cause significant surface agitation unless properly adjusted.

Step 5: Lighting

It’s important to set up lighting for your bettas that mimic their natural day and night cycle. Tank light is also essential for plant growth. Bettas prefer dimmer environments, so floating plants can be used to provide shade and reduce light intensity, creating a more comfortable environment for your betta.

Step 6: Water Conditioner

A water conditioner is a must-have for any betta tank. It makes tap water safe by removing harmful stuff like chlorine, chloramine, and heavy metals that can hurt your fish. Not all conditioners are the same, though—make sure you pick one that specifically says it detoxifies chloramine, not just chlorine.

Go with a trusted brand and use it every time you add new water. It’s a small step that will make a big difference in keeping your betta safe and healthy.

Step 7: Water Test Kit

An aquarium water test kit is a key tool for keeping your betta’s tank in good shape. It helps you monitor important water parameters like ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH levels—things that can seriously impact your betta’s health.

Liquid test kits are more reliable than test strips, so they’re a better choice. They’re invaluable during the cycling process, but it’s smart to use them regularly too. Testing your water often lets you catch any issues early and keep your betta happy and safe.

Step 8: Select Location for Your Tank

Make sure to pick a good spot for the tank inside your home. The chosen location should allow you to easily do tasks like changing the water, feeding the fish, and cleaning the tank. For stable water conditions, place the tank near a window but not where it will get direct sunlight.

The tank must be positioned on a stable, flat surface to prevent it from tipping over. The spot should also have easy access to electrical outlets for devices like the heater, filter, and lights. The stand holding the aquarium should also be strong enough to support its weight.

Step 9: Add Plants

Aquarium plants aren’t just for looks—they give your betta places to hide, rest, and explore. This helps them feel safe and less stressed. Go for floating or live stem plants, especially ones with broad leaves, that they can lie on. You can also opt for silk plants, if finds difficult with live ones.

Step 10: Prepare Water

Use clean, filtered, and de-chlorinated water. The water should be soft and slightly acidic to neutral. Avoid using pH-altering chemicals to achieve this balance. Additionally, ensure there is no ammonia or nitrite in the tank and keep nitrate levels as low as possible. Remember to obtain a water test kit so that you can regularly monitor the pH levels and the amounts of ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite to ensure that the water quality remains high.
To know more about tank accessories and care for betta fish read our complete article.

Stage 2

Step 11: Prepare the Tank

Before filling up your betta’s tank, you must ensure everything is clean and safe. Start by rinsing the tank with plain water—no soap! Seriously, soap can leave behind harmful stuff that can hurt your fish. If you need a little extra cleaning power, use only aquarium-safe cleaners. Rinse everything really well so there’s nothing left behind.

Next, get your substrate ready. Whether you’re using gravel or sand, give it a good rinse in a bucket until the water runs clear. This helps remove dust and dirt that can cloud up your tank. Once it’s clean, gently add it to the bottom of the tank.

Step 12: Decorate Betta Fish Tank

Use a variety of decorations while leaving ample swimming space for your betta. Choose natural-looking items and avoid overly colorful artificial decorations. Ensure there are caves or hiding places in the tank for your betta to explore. Rinse all decorations thoroughly to make them toxic-free before placing them in the tank.

Step 13: Fill the tank

Fill the tank with well-prepared water using an aquarium water changer, which allows for convenient filling and emptying with the flick of a switch. Avoid using buckets or pails to fill your aquarium as it will disturb the placement of your substrate or other decor items.

If you can’t afford a water changer, you can make one yourself using water bottles to ensure a gentle flow in the aquarium. Add water conditioner before or during filling to detoxify chloramine and chlorine.

The aquarium should be covered using a lid, as bettas are jumpers and may leap out. However, keep a gap of 1 to 2 inches between the water line and the lid to allow the betta access to atmospheric air for breathing.

Step 14: Installing Equipment

Now it’s time to add the equipment your betta needs to stay healthy and happy.

• Start with the filter. Place it where the water can move gently—bettas don’t like strong currents. If the filter flow is too strong, you can baffle it later.
• Next, add the heater. If it’s a submersible one, make sure it’s fully underwater. Stick it near the filter for even heat spread.
• Put your thermometer on the opposite side of the tank from the heater. That way, you can check the overall temperature.
• Set the heater to around 78–80°F (that’s about 25.5–26.5°C). Bettas are tropical fish, so warm water is a must.
• Once everything is in place, plug in the filter and let it run. Then plug in the heater—but only after it’s fully submerged.
• Wait a few hours, then check the temperature. Make sure everything’s running smoothly. This step helps get the tank stable and cozy before your betta moves in.

Step 15: Cycle Your Aquarium

Cycling is crucial for creating a healthy and stable environment for your fish. It helps produce beneficial bacteria in the tank filter and substrate. These bacteria decompose harmful ammonia and nitrites from fish waste into less toxic nitrates, which can be eliminated through regular water changes.

It takes a few weeks for this to happen fully in a new tank. That’s why you must “cycle” your tank before adding your betta. If you skip this step, your fish will be stuck swimming in toxic water, which can make them sick or even shorten their lives.

Step 16: Buy and Introduce Your Betta Fish

Make sure your tank is fully set up before bringing your betta fish home. Only buy bettas from trustworthy pet stores or breeders, and check that the fish has no damaged fins or signs of illness.

When it’s finally time to add your betta to their new tank, go slow—this part really matters. First, turn off the tank lights to keep things calm. Float the bag or container your betta came in on the surface of the tank water. This helps match the temperature slowly.

Add a small amount of tank water into the bag every few minutes. You can do this with a cup or, even better, use a drip line for a slow and steady mix. Do this for about 30 to 60 minutes.

Once your betta’s used to the new water, gently net them out and place them into the tank. Don’t pour the bag water into the tank—just toss it out.

At first, your betta might hide or seem unsure. That’s totally normal. Give them some time, and soon you’ll see them swimming around and checking everything out. Welcome to their new home!

Stage 3

Step 17: Maintenance

Moving forward, let’s delve into the maintenance of your fish and its habitat. The following key aspects must be considered.

Nutrition

Nutrition is vital for the growth, color, and overall health of your betta fish. Bettas are carnivores and prefer protein-rich foods, such as pellets. Provide high-quality food like Northfin Betta Bits and include live or frozen food for stimulation. Seeding the tank with microfauna such as copepods, seed shrimp, and worms can provide hunting opportunities for your betta. . You can find more about betta fish food in this article.

Tank Mates

Avoid housing aggressive tank mates with your betta. Never make the mistake of keeping two male bettas in the same tank. If you plan to keep other fish with your betta, ensure the tank is large enough.

Perform Water Changes

Perform small (10-20%) water changes weekly or biweekly. If you’re doing a fish-in cycle, more frequent changes are necessary. It’s best to avoid subjecting your betta to a fish-in cycle, as it can be stressful for the fish.

Miscellaneous

Eliminate anything that may cause constant stress, such as reflections or neighboring bettas, from the tank.

Avoid using chemicals to fix issues or kill unwanted organisms, as these can be harmful to your betta.

Regularly rearrange the decorations in the tank to keep your betta happy and engaged. This will provide a constantly changing environment to prevent boredom and promote the well-being of your fish.