[Lupin]

In light of that, I have an eclipse hex 5 that my parents got me for my betta. I've got a few live plants in there, a Peacock fern (Selaginella wildenowii), wisteria (Hygrophilia difformis) and an umbrella plant (Spathiphyllum wallsii). My parents got all that for me for christmas so my betta wouldn't be confined to the 1 qt container that I'd been meaning to upgrade here. I've got a couple questions concerning this whole thing.

Umbrella plant is Spathiphyllum wallisii. The word 'wallisii' was misspelled. I've seen that before. It's a house plant and not truly an aquatic plant so Chris got it right.
As for the peacock fern, the seond word was again misspelled. It's Selaginella willdenowii. It is cultivated prinicpally as a garden plant and Chris again hit the nail on it.:wink2:

First of all, would it be a good idea or at least workable to get a pleco, catfish, or other to help control the algae population in the tank? Generally speaking, would it be alright in that size a tank with the consideration of the live plants and all? I've heard both sides, that the plant-eater will terrorize my plants or keep conditions healthy for them. There's a filter and light built into the hood which is nice for having everything in one place. The small currents created by the draw seems to amuse my betta (Marcus) quite a bit...he'll take a breath, swim to where the filter flows into the surface of the water and ride the current down and around the tank.

I wouldn't be advising any algae eaters in a 2.5 gallons tank.

Secondly, the lower leaves on the peacock fern are dying off. It just seems that that's from the light of the tank being considerably stronger at the top and shading the lower leaves from getting too much light. The stems, roots, and upper leaves are looking just fine, and I'll probably thin them out a bit.

You'll have to remove them as they're not truly aquatic plants unfortunately. Letting them rot there asks for trouble brought by ammonia spike.

I really would like to get another fish or something else to put in the tank, maybe a ghost shrimp or dwarf frog I've heard would make good tank buddies. Would that then also be compatible with a pleco and whatnot, though? I'm an anally retentive engineering major, not used to this many variables ;-) Marcus seems fairly docile, even when I put a mirror up, he flares and then swims to the other end of the tank. *shrug* Any and all input would be appreciated Thanks!

I'd go with some Amano shrimps or red cherry shrimps.

 

[Lupin]

also, any chance of the cherry shrimp population getting out of control, snail style?

Your betta will eat the shrimplets.

 

[Lupin]

Anyone have the scientific name for what cherry shrimp you're talking about handy? It's important here to be precise, I'm finding.

Red Cherry Shrimp-Neocaridina denticulata sinensis (red)