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I need some help thinking through a plan I have.

I've got two bettas, each in their own 2gal containers. I do 100% same temp water changes weekly and it works out good. However, I've got this itch to make a lush planted tank and would consider the use of co2 in a DIY kit.

I'm thinking through two different options (and my limit is 10 gallon because it is the limit for my dresser):

1) Both bettas in a divided 10 gallon, or...
2) One betta in a 5 gallon as a trial (and if it works do the other betta in a 5 gal).

I'm thinking the divider could make it unsightly so I may back off to just a 5 gal. However, can co2 be used in such a tiny tank? I figure since bettas also breathe atmospheric air, there is less risk with overdosing (setting aside pH drops). If I did want to divide it, how could I do so in such a way as to share the filter? (Hint: I'm not into building my own tanks or removing/re-adding silicone).

I would like to start with Eco-Complete for a substrate. If I use co2, I would look to get plants I really can't grow in my 20 long because i don't use co2.

I also need the most gentle of filters because I've used a Whisper Micro before with a betta only to have it's tail fin get sucked in and wrecked. I'm trying to think of how I could use something similar, but block the intake with a thicket of plants. Could I try getting away without a filter in some way? What are the risks or downsides of going with no filter?

Among plants I'd like to try is microsword. What other plants would work in a 5 gal?

What kind of lighting could I use for such a tank? I want to steer clear of tanks with built-in filters because I perceive them to be to fast flowing for bettas. I believe bettas look the most graceful in as still of water as could be provided, and are more apt to build bubblenests.

Anyone have any thoughts about any of this? Tank, filter, divider strategy, plant makeup, etc.

Last edited by Cory_Di at 29-Nov-2004 10:43

If you only have one betta in a 5G and you put in enough fast growers you might not need a filter, just regular water changes. I'd use stem plants like water sprite, ludwigia repens, or some hygro, as a backround/fast growing plant, and use a crypt or anubias as a centerpiece.

For lighting you could buy a desk lamp from home depot and equip it with a compact flourescent bulb marked "Daylight." This would be about 20W in a 5G, allowing you to grow all the aforementioned plants, and possibly plants needing more light.

As for CO2, you might be somewhat limited because the tank is so small that any contraption you build to dissolve the CO2 is going to take over the tank. I have seen some bubble ladders that seem to take up less space than a bell would. Like this from Hagen. I'm not exactly sure of the dimensions of that ladder, but it might be smaller than a bell. At least it wouldn't take up all the floor space in the tank, which you would want to plant. You might be able to just buy the ladder and make your own CO2 by yeast.

As for the microsword, I tried to grow it and nothing happened. It didn't grow, didn't die off, but eventually my algea outbreak killed it. Anyways, I wouldn't reccommend it.


Stupid links

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 29-Nov-2004 14:07

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 29-Nov-2004 14:10

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 29-Nov-2004 14:12

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Hi,
If you opt to use two 5g tanks, keep in mind that together,
they will weigh more than one 10g tank.

Were it me, I would use two 5g tanks. I'd set them side
by side put EcoComplete, or 100% Flourite, or 100% Onyx
in them (about 2 1/2 inches deep), and then put a horse
shoe shaped tube between the two and one small HOB filter
on one. The filter would take care of both tanks, drawing
from one and returning to the other so the tanks were in
series. I'd plant them with stem plants of some sort,
and use a small crypt and/or a piece of driftwood in
each as the center piece, and mirco sword or something
similiar to eventually form a carpet.
As was mentioned I'd light it with two fixtures,
the daylight bulbs, and change from 100% water changes
to 10 or 20% water changes once a week. WIth the addition
of the substrate and plants, the biological colonies that
grow, the growing plants, and the HOB filter, would take
care of the water. It should be crystal clear.
I would also think of the addition of two female and one
male guppy in each tank, they would provide some live
food for the betta, some exercise, and in no time they
should be blowing bubble nests and looking for a mate.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I have a five gallon mini bow (complete with the tetra internal filter) that I think would work well for your purposes... The filter can be turned waaaay down (guppy fry had no issues getting away from the intake) and bonus - you can shove one of those corkscrew compact fluorescents in there! (You have to find a fairly slim one, though, to fit inside the plastic guard.)

I have my minibow planted with various crypts and generally low-maintenance plants, but they're all doing fairly well despite the fact that there's no special substrate or CO2. It's actually quite a nice little tank.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~