Beginner30 L
Cozy Betta tank (30 L)
Easy start: one showy male, shrimp clean-up crew, one plant.
Minimal setup for a single Betta splendens. Great for an office, bedroom, or as a gift for kids 12+.
Key rule: 30 L is not 'too small' — it's the right size for a betta. Anything less means stress and illness.
Dimensions
40×25×30 cm
Temperature
24–28°C
pH
6.5–7.5
gH
4–18 °dGH
Setup time
3 wks
Budget
≈ $120
Total fish
1
Fish (1)
- Betta× 1
Plants (1)
- Java Fern× 1
Invertebrates (4)
- Amano Shrimp× 4
Setup Checklist
Essential gear and water prep needed before adding fish
0 of 8 ready
- ≈ $25Internal filterEssential
- ≈ $18
- ≈ $5ThermometerCare
- ≈ $25Basic 6500K LED lightBase
- ≈ $12Inert substrate (2–5 mm gravel)Base
- ≈ $12Water conditioner (dechlorinator)Essential
Seachem Prime or Tetra AquaSafe — instantly detoxifies chlorine, chloramine, and heavy metals
- ≈ $25Liquid drop test kit (pH, NH₃/NH₄, NO₂, NO₃)Recommended
API Freshwater Master Test Kit or liquid drop tests to monitor nitrogen cycle
- ≈ $15Fish net & gravel vacuum siphonCare
Soft fish net matched to fish size + gravel vacuum siphon for weekly 20–30% water changes
Decor
- Natural driftwood (mangrove or mopani)× 1
- Catappa (Indian almond) leaves× 3
Tips & gotchas
- Keep one male Betta — no other males, no flashy tankmates.
- Amano shrimp don't breed in freshwater, so the colony stays stable.
- Do a 30 % water change once a week.
- Light on for 8 h per day, no more.