[Spazzfish]

Ok guys keep in mind this is a ruff idea and there might be a few flaws to my plan.

So i was thinking about doing an under water garden using a 25 gallon plant container (or larger but no less than 25gal)
for substrate I want to use soil with a top layer of sand or rock. Sugestions?
I havnt decided on plants yet definatly some things with color and neat leaves. Again Sugestions?
ok what about adding fish to this? Female bettas of corse. How many would be safe? Definatly more than 5 but whats my max?
For a heater and filter I am still looking around but will probaly stick with the brand heeter i am using.
Ok opinions comments?

 

[Oldfishlady]

Basically you are wanting to setup a soil based natural planted tank, I am not sure I know what a "25gal plant container is"-is this like an aquarium?

What will be your light source, are you keeping this is the house or outside.

 

[Spazzfish]

Oh sorry I left out the most important part!!!!!!! I feal really stupid now! !!!!!!
I got the idea looking around the web and found this thread http://www.mombu.com/gardening/gardening-equipment/t-bettas-in-pots-have-large-pots-barrel-pond-3245335.html
the idea of having a Betta pond using a large Pot
I've seen a few pictures of them and was wondering if it would work. like I said it was just an idea and I wanted to get some opinions on if it would work and be a safe home for the fish. It would be a while before I got the time/money to do it.
Other images:

 

[Oldfishlady]

That would work out great.... depending on your weather if it would be seasonal or not....I use about anything that will hold water outside in the warmer months to keep and spawn my Betta.

I have found that healthy Betta can tolerate water temps short term in the low-mid 60'sF and highs well over 100F and depending on how deep-often the temp will be either warmer or cooler at different levels.

Lots and lots of live plants to help with water quality and depending on what type of plants you want-you may or may not need any soil. Since mine are temporary outside I don't use soil-but I do have a layer of dried Oak leaves for the tannins-but I am spawning them-if you don't plan to spawn it wouldn't matter, however, Betta do enjoy the tannins.

 

[Thunderloon]

Keep in mind the "swamp cooling" effect can pull about 15°F off the water temperature at night if it is located outside.

Use no more than a half inch of gravel down between the potted plants if you go that path. More would just be more cleaning hassle.

If you go NPT you need enough to cover the root systems, read up Walstad first.

 

[Cinderwolf]

Not sure if anyone else has though of this. But if it is a sorority, how will you be able to closely watch them, to watch for aggression? if you can only see the surface of the water, that is. But I might just be over thinking. It is a super smart idea, with the pot, and looks really nice( now I want one)

 

[Spazzfish]

Thank you guys for all the helpful information yes i do plan to keep it outside on my porch (my mom said no tanks inside but absalutly nothing about an outside pond besides its good fung shui)
@ Cinderwolf
yes i was worried about that two. So if I do Decide to do this it will be durring the summer when i have plenty of time to watch and referee until they get a hiarchy set up. But before the fish ever go in i will plant most of the plants and let them get established first and add plenty of caves and little terra cotta pots in the bottom. If i keep up with water changes it should stay claer to the bottom.
I am still lokking into substrate.