Thanks! I'm guessing it's this one? I've been looking for a tank for a couple plants and some shrimp and I think this may be the one.. what do you have in yours besides duckweed?
Thanks! The tank is about 2.6 gallons (which I know is cutting it close, but that's as big as we can go currently). The tank comes with a circulation pump and a foam block/carbon/bio ring filter system. We switch the carbon as necessary and clean the bio rings/block.
Very nearly bought one of these on amazon (just for plants and maybe shrimp or snails).
Ended up getting one of these, and I'll only be putting plants in it.
Haha thank you! He loves watching everything move around in there but doesn't really understand it yet.
I bought this aquarium a few weeks ago while it was around $50- keep an eye on the prices, they fluctuate like crazy. You by no means have to spend that much on a tank, I just preferred glass because it won't scratch like the poly ones, plus I like the kind of "minimal" look to it (all electronic components like the filter and heater are very discretely hidden), and it came with the filter and light. Besides the aquarium, which is by far the most expensive part, you can decide if you want it to be planted or just go with fake plants, then choose your substrate and decor accordingly. Non-active gravel is $1.00 at PetCo, or active substrate is around $15. A water dechlorinator is about $5, and a water test kit is around $10 depend on which one you choose. After that, there's pretty much just the cost of the inhabitants. I bought all of the plants, wood and animals (everything except the tank and the substrate) in my tank from AquaticArts.com for about $60 total- that includes two pieces of cholla wood for climbing, four Marimos, three rooted plants, a floating plant, six shrimp and four snails!
Phew. Startup can be pricey (or not, depending on what you choose) but after that, costs are minimal. If you ever wanted to start a second tank, especially with the shrimp and snails, you'd already have animals because the shrimp and snails will almost certainly breed.
I know that's a ton of info, let me know if you have any questions. :) It's so rewarding and worth it, IMO!
Here's the light if anyone was interested.
And of course the tank is a fluval spec.
Just posting this to show what a good value you're getting here. Everything was bought new a year ago.
As someone that's gone thru the same scenario as you I'm going to give you some possible options you can take that will make things way easier on you. The initial investment may be on the higher side but it's the equivalent of a couple dinners and a movie for some high quality stuff that'll last a long time.
You need 4 things for a happy Betta: A proper tank, a filter, a heater, and proper decorations.
First, return that 1 gallon aquarium if possible. While Betta's don't need large tanks I'd recommend something at least 2.5+ gallons. The tank will stay cleaner longer and your fish will be more active.
There are different quality aquariums. Look for something that's an all-in-one design (comes with filter and light) Personally I love Fluval, a company that sells all in one contained tanks that are high quality, run silent, and are well designed. For dorm life I'd recommend The Spec 3: https://www.amazon.com/Fluval-Spec-Aquarium-2-6-Gallon-Black/dp/B009K0ZKAQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1506546740&sr=8-5&keywords=fluval+spec If that's too much money this is also a good budget tank: https://www.amazon.com/Tetra-29095-Cube-Aquarium-3-Gallon/dp/B008CA7W7E/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1506546844&sr=1-5&keywords=aquarium+kit
Buy a heater, any basic heater that can sustain a set temp is fine: https://www.amazon.com/Tetra-26447-Submersible-Aquarium-50-Watt/dp/B000OQO69Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1506547013&sr=1-2&keywords=tetra+heater
Decorations: Bettas have long fins that tear easily on sharp plastic plants. Buy soft or rounded decorations and substrate.
It's also highly suggested to buy any type of water conditioner to remove chlorine from tap water etc.: https://www.amazon.com/Tetra-16172-AquaSafe-8-45-oz/dp/B00068JW0A/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1506547213&sr=1-5&keywords=tetra+easy+balance
Betta food is subjective, though I like Hikari's brand that comes in those clear packages with the maze looking thing to dispense food.