Interested in a small NPT

[Cinderwolf]

Has anyone had any success with a small ( think 3 gal KK ) Natural planted tank.

I am seriously considering a small tank for my bedroom with another betta male in it, but I woudl loveot have a go at a NPT , sicne I cant maintain the water changes of another tank that woudl need 100% weekly.

I am under the understanding NPT dotn need completel water changes, rathe rjust small ones, like a cycled tank. I s that true, or am I mistaken?

If I can do a NPT , what substrate woudl you suggest, and how many plants woudl i need to get the right amoutn of ammonia consumption?

Anyone have any photos of small NPTs or success stories?

I am jsut considering it fro now, and if i do decide to do it, it wont be for a long while yet. Just thought I should starting researchign and such now.

[aokashi]

sure :) I plant my half gallons. you DO need sufficient lighting, that is one of the most important things. A mixture of fast growing plants, slow growing plants and floating is a good way to start. Dont overstock plants and test water regularly as you would be doing if you were cycling a tank. when levels don't stabilize at 0 add more (your fast growing plants will be ...fast growing and you can propagate, diacard or sell)

Substrate.. :) you should look up some of Old Fish Lady's posts, she's a master at this. but basically the best substrate is a neutral PH organic potting mix without any fertilizers. You will have to consult the expert out there about the details as I havent tried this method yet.

[Cinderwolf]

Originally Posted by aokashi

sure :) I plant my half gallons. you DO need sufficient lighting, that is one of the most important things. A mixture of fast growing plants, slow growing plants and floating is a good way to start. Dont overstock plants and test water regularly as you would be doing if you were cycling a tank. when levels don't stabilize at 0 add more (your fast growing plants will be ...fast growing and you can propagate, diacard or sell)

Substrate.. :) you should look up some of Old Fish Lady's posts, she's a master at this. but basically the best substrate is a neutral PH organic potting mix without any fertilizers. You will have to consult the expert out there about the details as I haven't tried this method yet.

yes , for lightign I figured I would just get a desk lamp then I can have high lighting

I'll see if anyone replies about substrate lol I was thinking , the potting soil with a cap of play sand ( since .. lets face it.. I have a lot left over from mt 6 gal LOL) I will have to look into it though. I would need the tank to be pretty small, so I was thinking the kritter keeper but I am not sure yet. plus I dont even know if I can set it up haha.

[aokashi]

:D I support you, but dont do half Gals, Lol, I have juvies in mine, and I already think the plant takes up too much space

[Cinderwolf]

Originally Posted by aokashi

:D I support you, but dont do half Gals, Lol, I have juvies in mine, and I already think the plant takes up too much space

yea, I am thinking 3 gals. half gal woudl be full of plants lol no room for the fish

[aokashi]

Pretty betta btw :D I was always told crown tails are fiercer, So I have a "admire buy do not touch" situation whenever I want to buy one. But they are purty :/

[Cinderwolf]

Originally Posted by aokashi

Pretty betta btw :D I was always told crown tails are fiercer, So I have a "admire buy do not touch" situation whenever I want to buy one. But they are purty :/

hehe he isn;t super mean or anything, but I havent seen him crown tail for a long time since he is a biter : P rotten animal. LOL

[aokashi]

aw D: hopefully some pretty plants will give him enough distractions :D Did you try a mirror?

[Shadyr]

I don't have much experience with *non* crowntails...three of my four are CTs.

Lesseee...one is a total sweetie....one is pretty shy, but will flare if given the right incentive, and then there is Ghost, who does try to take my finger off when I hand feed him pellets. But then, so does my Half Moon, so the jury is out...

Anyway, I have Ghost in a 2.5 mini bow. I replaced the bulb it came with and got a CFL. He's in a room with good diffuse natural light and I leave his tank light on during the day too. He has a moss ball, moneywort, and a banana plant in his tank. The moneywort bundle had some casualties at first, but the stalks that made it are recovering nicely, and the others seem perfectly fine.

[Cinderwolf]

Originally Posted by aokashi

aw D: hopefully some pretty plants will give him enough distractions :D Did you try a mirror?

I have tried everything , haha, mirrors, tons of plants, not so many plants, back ground, no back ground, lights off lights on, filter baffled, filter unbaffled. He is just a brat : P

If I start up a second tank , Bennie will keep his 5 gallon, and I will put a new fish in the small tank.