Buying your first aquarium can be hard. There are so many options and it can be unclear as to what your betta fish actually needs to live a happy and healthy life. Luckily, there are many all-in-one systems available, including the Fluval Edge 6 gallon (22.7 L) and 12 gallon (45.4 L) aquariums.
Keep reading to find out if a Fluval Edge aquarium is right for your betta fish and how to prepare your new tank for your fish!
Is the Fluval Edge good for bettas?
The Fluval Edge comes in two sizes that meet betta fishย tank size requirements, but does this mean that you can safely keep a betta fish in one?
In short, the 6 gallon (22.7 L) and 12 gallon (45.4 L) tank options will happily house a betta fish as long as some modifications are made. It is also important to consider that both of these tanks are more expensive than most competitors, however, the simple and minimalistic design of the systems is unparalleled.
What do bettas like in their tank?
With price in mind, you can give your betta as elaborate of a setup or as simple of a setup as you would like. As long as you give your betta at least 5 gallons (18.9 L), have stable water parameters, and research possible tank mates beforehand, then the exact setup doesn’t matter too much.
These fish do best in species-only tanks with a sand or gravel substrate, live plants and betta-friendly tank decor, good filtration equipment, an aquarium heater, and regular tank maintenance.
Does the Fluval Edge come with a heater?
Bettas need a constant temperature betweenย 78-80ยฐ F (25.6-26.7ยฐ C), which means that most hobbyists need to use a heater for their bettas instead of relying on the ambient room temperature.
The Fluval Edge does not include a heater andย one will need to be purchased separately.
Fluval Edge Aquarium Kit 6 Gallons
The Fluval Edge 6 gallon (22.7 L) aquarium comes in three designs of black, white, and pewter coloring, though the actual configuration of the setup does not change. The major appeal to these aquariums is the top-sided viewing angles as the glass top provides a look-down perspective; however, this also limits the hobbyist to tank access and overall aquascaping.
As we’ll discuss, this design may not be the best for bettas as a labyrinth fish species.
Tank dimensions
All three designs, the black, white, and pewter options, are formatted the same way: 16.80 L x 10.25 W x 14.00 H inches (42.6 L x 26.0 W x 35.6 H cm); this option provides much more floor space as opposed to vertical swimming room.
Filtration
Something to consider is that both the 6 gallons (22.7 L) and 12 gallons (45.4 L) Fluval Edge options include the same size filter despite doubled water volume. The standard pump is rated 100 gallons/hour (378.5 liters/hour).
Despite being the same size pump,ย many hobbyists usually have to modify their filterย as it is too strong for betta fish even with some control over flow rates. The best way to do this is by using a pre-filter to lessen the flow of the intake if fish and invertebrates are being sucked up and/or to lessen the flow of the output if fish and invertebrates are being pushed around by the water current.
The filter cover also features a ventilated hood for better heat dispersion and overall gas exchange.
Lighting
These tanks come with twenty-one 4.4 watts LED lights that offer 6500 K color temperature (the pewter option offers 7600 k color temperature instead) and 347 lumens. The lights are designed to provide 120ยฐ light dispersion for better coverage and can be changed between day and night mode with white lights and blue lights; a separate remote controller for this feature is also available.
Included Accessories
Besides the preinstalled base, filtration, and light, these systems also come with startup filter media, a 30 ml water conditioner, two 30 ml biological enhancers, and the user guide. As mentioned before, these tanks do not include an aquarium heater or substrate, and additional filter media will need to be purchased.
Hobbyists also strongly suggest buying a magnetic algae scrubber to get to hard-to-reach places and to disperse bubbles that might collect on the top of the water.
Fluval Edge Aquarium 12 gallons
If you’re looking for even more space to give your betta, or want to try to introduce other tank mates, then the Fluval Edge 12 gallon (45.4 L) aquarium might give the additional room you’re looking for.
These tanks are very similar to the smaller option and appeal to many for their top-down perspective. However, this larger tank is taller than the 6 gallons (22.7 L) which can take away from overall swimming space and make it slightly more difficult for fish to travel up and down the water column.
The 12 gallon (45.4 L) option comes in black and white designs and gives height to the aquarium.
Tank dimensions
The Fluval Edge Aquarium 12 gallon (45.4 L) aquarium measures 16.80 L x 10.25 W x 22.90 H inches (42.7 L x 26.0 W x 58.2 H cm) and offers more vertical space.
Filtration
As mentioned before, even though this design is double the water volume, the pump is still the same. Both the black and white design options include a pump rated for 100 gallons/hour (378.5 liters/hour). This filter also comes enclosed in a ventilated hood.
Lighting
The lighting is slightly stronger in order to accommodate a taller tank. This model includes forty-two 6.6 watt LEDs with 560 lumens and 6500 K color temperature; this should be enough to grow low light-demanding plant species, though some hobbyists have had to modify and/or upgrade for ideal lighting.
If wanting to house a betta fish without any live plants,ย then the stock light will provide sufficient lighting for viewing.
Included Accessories
Even though this tank is larger than the last, the same amount of chemicals and bottled bacteria are provided: a 30 ml water conditioner with two 30 ml biological enhancers. There is no additional equipment that comes with the larger model, and the same preinstalled base, filtration, light, and user guide will come with the package.
An aquarium heater, substrate, decorations, and plants, as well as optional magnetic tank scrubbers, are strongly recommended.
Is the Fluval Edge good for bettas?
With all that being said, will a Fluval Edge glass tank make the best home for your betta fish?
In short, the Fluval Edge is generally a good tank for bettas and greatly helps with water evaporation. However, there are a few modifications that you will have to make in order to make the system suitable for your fish. As a result, these modifications could take away from the overall attraction to the initial design of these tanks.
These Fluval Edge tanks are favored for their seamless designs, top-down viewing perspective, hidden equipment, and all-in-one package deal despite the above-average prices. While you might be excited to fill your tank up with water, you need to remember that betta fish like to go to the surface of the water to breathe in atmospheric air through their labyrinth organ.
Surface area
When filled to the brim, Fluval Edge tanks only offer gas exchange through the cut out for the filter and light; this means that for your betta to breathe in oxygen, it would need to swim against the water flow from the filter.
The problem is that many hobbyists already have to baffle their filters in order to lessen the flow and suction to create a gentle water pattern for their betta to be happy. In short, even if your betta wanted to go to the top of the tank for air, it probably wouldn’t be able to swim against the current.
Feeding
That being said, betta fish don’t need to breathe oxygen as long as the quality of water is good in the tank and parameters are in check. Nevertheless, betta fish are mostly surface-dwelling fish and the glass ceiling could interrupt their normal behaviors and/or stress them out.
As surface-dwelling fish, they also like to feed at or just below the surface. Many betta flakes and pellets are actually designed to float for a few seconds before drifting to the bottom. It is likely the power from the filter would quickly submerge those flakes/pellets, preventing your fish from eating them and ultimately creating more waste in the aquarium. Also, note that floating plants won’t be possible!
Possible solutions
In order to keep betta fish happy, many hobbyists have modified their Fluval Edge tanks. This can be done by leaving some space between the glass ceiling and the water level to make sure your betta has enough room to get air and display natural behaviors. Many hobbyists also have to add a Fluval Edge pre-filter sponge to help lesson flow and suction.
When all is said and done, while Fluval Edge aquariums give plenty of space for bettas to swim and include almost all of the equipment needed for a happy betta, they’re not the most suitable tanks for betta fish. After having to lower the water level and modifying the filter and/or lighting, there is not too much difference between Fluval Edge aquariums and other more traditional fish tanks; the main difference is the cost.
What other fish can you put in a Fluval Edge aquarium?
While these tanks might not be the absolute best aquariums for betta fish, the beautiful seamless design of these systems is still favored by many hobbyists and can accommodate a whole array of fish and plants.
For the most part, any types of plants or fish that work in a regular 6 or 12 gallon (22.7 L/45.4 L) glass aquarium will work just as well in these Fluval models; it should be noted that the vertical dimensions of the larger design may have some influence on possible stocking ideas.
In general,ย tetras, endlers, guppies, danios, dwarf gouramis, and smaller species ofย Corydorasย will work in these tanks; larger, more active schooling fish should be kept in the larger tank while smaller, less active ones should do fine in the smaller option!
A shrimp and live plant display are also very popular with these setups in particular!
Conclusion
If you’re looking for an all-in-one reliable fish tank with a seamless design, then the Fluval Edge 6 gallon (22.7 L) or 12 gallons (45.4 L) aquarium could be possible choices for your next tank. However, some hobbyists have had problems using these systems as a betta tank as these fish like to stay at the surface of the water and their natural behaviors can be affected due to the design.
At the same time, these beautiful tanks can help bring life and color to otherwise boring spaces in the home with an assortment of other tropical fish species!
If you have any questions about either of these tanks, setting up a tank for betta fish, or have had experience keeping other fish and plants in a Fluval Edge, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!