Setting up a tank for your betta fish is perhaps the most essential aspect of keeping a betta fish. Setting up a small tank that is about 10 gallons or less is not that hard. But if we were to talk about a 40 gallon betta tank, it is quite an overwhelming task.
It is a known fact to keep at least one gallon of water per inch of a fish. Betta fish being about 2.5 inches in length, must be kept in a tank at least 3 gallons. Although, a bigger tank may also be used. Betta fish are not the friendliest of fish, and they hate the idea of sharing their space with another tank mate. Thus, a bigger tank must be purchased if you want to keep another fish with a betta fish.
Setting Up A 40 Gallon Betta Tank
As mentioned earlier, if you want to keep other fish with your betta fish as tank mates, you need to purchase a more significant tank than 3 gallons. The choice of the tank size depends on various factors like the type of fish, the number of tank mates to be kept, and other factors.
If you want to set up a community tank of many fish, then a 40 gallon betta tank is recommended. There are various factors you need to consider before setting up a 40 gallon tank for your betta fish.
Let us discuss the various factors you need to consider before setting up a 40 gallon betta tank.
A 40 Gallon Tank
There are many betta tanks available over the market for you but choosing the right one is crucial. Thus, before thinking about keeping a betta fish in a tank, you should first make sure that you choose the right tank.
Luckily, there are not many prerequisites in the case of choosing a tank. The only thing you need to make sure of is that it is durable and the required size. The best 40 gallon tank available on the market is the Petco-produced Aqueon Tank Breeder Black 40 Gallon Tank.
Aqueon Tank Breeder Black 40 Gallon Tank
The Aqueon Tank Breeder Black40 Gallon Tank is a simple yet durable aquarium entirely made out of glass. It is also available in different trim styles of Black and Oak. It also contains a one-piece center-braced frame to ensure glass durability.
| PROS👍 | CONS👎 |
|---|---|
| – Quite big a tank | – May be expensive |
| – Made of durable glass | |
| – Available in different styles |
Water Filter
A water filter is perhaps the essential part of a tank. A proper filtration system ensures that your tank water is processed correctly and the water current in the tank is suited to your fish. Choosing the right filter is vital for the health and safety of your betta fish and its tank mates.
While choosing a water filter for a 40 gallon betta tank, you need to make sure that the water filter is strong enough to filter and process the water of the whole tank. Sometimes, two filters are recommended to cover the entire aquarium uniformly.
For a 40 gallon tank, you will need a pretty strong filter. You need not worry as we have recommended our top pick for a 40 gallon tank water filter. The best water filter for a 40 gallon tank is another Petco manufactured product. It is the Aqueon QuietFlow E Internal Power Filter Large.
Aqueon QuietFlow E Internal Power Filter Large
The Aqueon QuietFlow E Internal Power Filter Larger efficiently cleans and filters the tank water. It is simple to put together and comes with suction cups and hanging clips for proper installation. If power is interrupted and restored, the auto-start pump will immediately restart.
The filter comes with carbon cartridges to provide chemical filtration, thereby eliminating any cloudiness from the water. A bio-holster is also included to promote biological filtration, eliminating harmful ammonia and nitrites from the water.
| PROS👍 | CONS👎 |
|---|---|
| – Provides proper water filtration | – May make noise while filtering |
| – Easy to install | – Cartridge change is needed every four weeks |
| – Both chemical and biological filtration | |
| – Can filter an entire 40 gallon tank |
Water Heater
A betta fish prefers warmer water. It requires a water temperature between 76 and 82 degrees F. A water temperature of 78 degrees F is considered the most optimum for a betta fish. While some places may experience a room temperature that somewhat falls within this range, some places are relatively more relaxed.
In this case, a water heater is required to achieve the required temperature. Like a water filter, sometimes it is recommended that you use two water heaters on either side of the tank to distribute the heat uniformly across the aquarium.
However, there are sure water heaters available that ensure that your tank water is heated equally for a tank as big as 40 gallons. There are many heaters on the market for a 40 gallon betta tank, but we recommend the HiTauing Aquarium Heater 300W.
HiTauing Aquarium Heater 300W
The HiTauing Aquarium Heater has a temperature range of 63°F to 94°F and is extremely easy to adjust to the desired setting. To alter the temperature, the controller has a temperature sensor. The thick plastic shell protects hands and fish from scorching, and the heater is composed of an explosion-proof quartz tube.
Two strong suction cups are fixated on the side, making it easy to install the heating rod to the side or bottom wall of the fish tank. This aquarium heater contains a one-of-a-kind temperature and water sensor technology that will turn off the heater when it is taken out of the water or rapidly exceeds the specified temperature.
| PROS👍 | CONS👎 |
|---|---|
| – Rapid water heating system | – Relatively more expensive |
| – Over-temperature protection sensor | – Temperature change might cause problems |
| – Made of explosion-proof quartz | |
| – Easy to install |
Other Factors
Besides an optimum tank, a proper water filtration system, and a working heater, your 40 gallon betta tank needs other equipment. Among the most common ones are a good set of lights for the tank and sufficient tank decors.
A proper lighting system must be installed in the tank. Lights are necessary for both aquatic plants and fish. Standard LED lighting is fine for an aquarium. Just make sure that the lighting is distributed uniformly across the aquarium.
Tank decors not only make your tank look more attractive but also make sure that your betta fish and other tank mates get enough space to hide within the tank. Just make sure that the tank decors are not too hard or sharp to prevent your fish from getting harmed.
Which Fish To Keep In A 40 Gallon Betta Tank
Having a large tank has its advantages and disadvantages. One of the most potent advantages is keeping a school of different breeds of fish in one tank. If you are thinking of setting up a 40 gallon betta tank, you have many combinations of fish to choose from.
The only thing you need to make sure of is that all the tank conditions are met and that all the fish are compatible. Betta fish are choosy tank mates, and any combination of fish is not ideal for a betta fish. Thus, be careful while making this decision.
An ideal combination for a community 40 gallon betta tank is:
- 1 Male Betta Fish
- 6 Rummy Nose Tetra Fish / 6 Guppies
- 5 Cory Catfish / 5 Mollies
- 5 Amano Shrimps / 10 Red Cherry Shrimps
- 1 Bristlenose Pleco / 2 Three Spot Gouramis
FAQs on Setting Up 40 Gallon Betta Tank
How many betta fish can I keep in a 40-gallon tank?
Keeping more than one male betta fish in a single tank is not recommended as they tend to be too aggressive towards each other. Female bettas do live in sororities. You can keep around 15 female bettas in a 40 gallon betta tank.
What is a good tank size for a betta fish?
A betta fish needs at least 3 gallons of water to swim freely and stay healthy.
What fish can you put with a betta?
– Neon Tetras
– Guppies
– Mollies
– Kuhli Loaches
– Ghost Shrimps
– Harlequin Rasboras
– Cory Catfish
– Turret Snails
Final Thoughts
Thus, setting up a 40 gallon betta tank can be an overwhelming task, but at the end of the day, it has more advantages than you think. A 40 gallon betta tank allows you to keep various fish, and it also looks good as a part of your household interior.
