Betta Fish Forum banner

New tank

2K views 4 replies 5 participants last post by  Phish Head 
#1 ·
I am finally starting to set up my second betta tank.

I bought a new fern and amazon sword at my local PetSmart today. The tank will be low tech for now so I didn't get anything I thought I had a chance of killing. :grin2:

I am not new to the fish world but fairly new to planted tanks so hoping that all goes well.

I am a little stumped as to what more to add to this tank besides the fish itself! (and heater!) I may just end up sticking with this simple look and hope the plants grow in a little more.

I was considering dosing my two tanks with liquid CO2 to get some growth going but not sure if it would be even worth it for my two tanks. They are both 3 gallons and both planted tanks only contain amazon swords, java fern, and anubias.

Anyways, here is the set up so far.
 

Attachments

See less See more
1
#2 ·
First defiantly get the heater. The plants you have require a constant temp between 76-80 degrees. As you said the plants will fill in but if you add anymore i would add bunch plants to give overhead cover. don't plant them just weight them down and let them float and root out of the substrate. Betta love plants. They rest on the broad leaves and hide among them for security feeling. especially overhead cover that makes them feel secure from overhead threats, like birds and other predators.

Do not use CO2 on these plants it is not needed and will harm them. They are basic low light plants and require only supplement of fertilizer like SeaChem flourish (not excel but regular flourish) add the flourish once a week and they will do very well for you.
 
#3 ·
My instinct is always to go GREEN. lol.
Other people may think my obsession with heavy planting is a little OTT, but that's OK, I don't mind.

I look at all that expance of white sand and think that plant cover would make it more comfy for your betta, and also hide/disguise the dirt and algae when they start to accumulate, cos you know they will eventually. :)

So my suggestion is for a few low growing things in the foreground, like S.repens, and some tufty little crypts. I have had great success with planting just a couple of plants of dwarf sagitaria (sagittaria subulata) and then letting it run riot with its little runners, and forming a carpet.

As for the surface, yes betta love surface floating plants. As small bunch of watersprite or hornwort will spread and create a beautifully sheltered feel for your betta to feel at home. So long as you don't let them get too thick, they will still let enough light through for shade loving plants like your java and anubias. One other thing, if you are going for plants and sand, then you also need some plant fertiliser. Rooted plants either need nutrients in the substrate or they need root tabs buried in the substrate next to their roots. Sand does not contain any nutrients, so you will need to go with the root tabs. For non rooted plants (the floating ones, or unplanted anubias) you need the fertiliser to be in the water, not the soil. But that is really easy. A small measured dose of liquid fertiliser added alongside your water conditioner, whenever you do a water change only takes a second, but it transforms the look of your tank with plants that fill out, spread and flourish.

Hope that helps!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Old Dog 59
#5 ·
I am finally starting to set up my second betta tank.



I bought a new fern and amazon sword at my local PetSmart today. The tank will be low tech for now so I didn't get anything I thought I had a chance of killing. :grin2:



I am not new to the fish world but fairly new to planted tanks so hoping that all goes well.



I am a little stumped as to what more to add to this tank besides the fish itself! (and heater!) I may just end up sticking with this simple look and hope the plants grow in a little more.



I was considering dosing my two tanks with liquid CO2 to get some growth going but not sure if it would be even worth it for my two tanks. They are both 3 gallons and both planted tanks only contain amazon swords, java fern, and anubias.



Anyways, here is the set up so far.
You could go to Aquaswap on Reddit and get an inexpensive "starter" package of easy low tech plants. I see them all the time. Way less expensive than the stores.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top