Complete Shopping List Betta Tank SGD 150 Guide: Cycled Build

The standard cup-and-bowl betta setup is the most over-sold and under-housed product in the Singapore aquarium aisle, but a proper cycled betta tank is genuinely affordable at SGD 150 if you skip the gimmicks. The complete shopping list betta tank below assumes a 20-litre minimum with proper filtration, a heater backup and live plants — not a 2-litre vase with a plastic flower. This build from Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park is the entry-level cart we recommend to families buying their child’s first betta who actually want the fish to live a healthy 4-5 year lifespan.

Tank: SGD 35

A 25-30cm rimless cube (20-25 litres) at SGD 30-40 from the aquarium tank range is the absolute minimum for one male betta. Skip the 5-litre and below — bettas in cups develop fin rot, lethargy and shortened lifespans. The Crystal Aquatics 25cm or Mr Aqua 30-S sizes are common at this price. Total SGD 35.

Filter: SGD 25

Bettas hate strong flow. A Qanvee QS-100 sponge filter at SGD 12-18 from the sponge filter range paired with a quiet air pump (Resun AC-1500) at SGD 10-15 gives gentle bubbling without ripping fins. Avoid HOB or canister filters in tanks under 40 litres for bettas — flow is always too high. Total SGD 25.

Heater: SGD 20

Bettas need stable 26-28°C — Singapore ambient drops to 25°C during heavy rain weeks and a small 25W or 50W heater at SGD 18-25 prevents the temperature dip that triggers ich. Brands: Eheim Jager (SGD 35-45 if budget stretches) or budget brands at SGD 18-22. Pair with a thermometer (SGD 5-8). Total SGD 20.

Lighting: SGD 25

A clip-on or budget bar LED at SGD 20-35 produces enough light for floating plants and low-tech species like Anubias and Java fern. Avoid bright LED show fixtures over bare-bones builds — they trigger algae. Browse the aquarium light range for clip-on options. Allocate SGD 25.

Substrate: SGD 10

Inert black sand or fine gravel at SGD 8-12 for 3-4kg covers a 25cm tank. Skip active aquasoil — bettas do not need pH buffering and the ammonia spike during early cycling stresses them. ANS or local aquarium black gravel at SGD 2.50-3/kg is the standard starter substrate. Total SGD 10.

Plants and Hardscape: SGD 20

Live plants outperform plastic for water quality and betta enrichment. Buy: 1 Anubias nana on small driftwood at SGD 8-12, a clump of Java moss at SGD 5-8, a few stems of Hornwort or Najas grass for floating cover at SGD 5. A small piece of mopani wood at SGD 8-12 leaches gentle tannins that bettas love. Total SGD 20.

Water Conditioner and Food: SGD 25

Seachem Prime 100ml at SGD 15-18 from the water conditioner range handles chloramine. For food: Hikari Betta Bio-Gold at SGD 8-12 is the standard staple. Add a small frozen bloodworm cube tray at SGD 5-8 for variety twice weekly. Total SGD 25.

Test Kit and Maintenance: SGD 15

A basic API ammonia and pH strip kit at SGD 8-12 covers cycling monitoring. A small algae scraper or magnetic glass cleaner at SGD 5-10 keeps the front clean. A budget siphon (turkey baster works for a 25-litre tank during early water changes) costs SGD 5. Total SGD 15.

Budget Summary: Where the SGD 150 Goes

Tally: tank SGD 35, filter SGD 25, heater SGD 20, light SGD 25, substrate SGD 10, plants/hardscape SGD 20, conditioner/food SGD 25, test/maintenance SGD 15 — total SGD 175. Trim to SGD 150 by skipping the dedicated thermometer, going clip-on light, and using inert gravel. The betta itself runs SGD 5-15 from the livestock range — buy AFTER cycling completes (4-6 weeks). Where to splurge: filter media and water conditioner. Where to save: substrate, light. The single biggest mistake is buying the betta first and the tank later.

Related Reading

• Betta Fish Tank Setup Guide
• Blue Betta Fish Care Guide
• Best Aquarium Heater Nano Tank Buying Guide
• Betta Fish Cycling Guide
• Plakat Betta Care Guide