[Flint]

I am setting up a 2.5 gallon betta tank today. I haven't done plants before but after some research, it seems I can do some really low light plants as long as the tank has sunlight (it'll be near a window but not in direct light). Substrate will be Pool Filter Sand. No filter but there will be a heater.

Now, my question is, I may or may not be getting the actual betta today. Will the plants be okay with no ammonia to feed them?

Thanks!

 

[Chesh]

FLINT! *glomps*

The plants will be fine with no ammonia/fish waste - I've run a few plant-only tanks for months on-end with no problems. You will want to grab a bottle of fertilizer for them, though - regardless of fish, I think. I use Flourish Comprehensive, by Seachem, and have found it to provide the best mix of nutrients for the plants in a liquid form. With these plants, this should be all you need, and they sell it at all the chain stores (around here, anyway)

Low light plants such as Anubias, Java Fern, and Java moss should do really well in a setup like this. If your tank HAS a light fixture, you should be able to get a full-spectrum bulb for it, which would be allow you to keep a bit of a larger variety of plants, but those I mentioned above seem (to me!) to be the lowest of the low as far as lighting requirements are concerned.

I'm sure someone else will be by to give you more experienced input, but I hope this helps! Good luck with the setup - and don't forget to show pics!!!

 

[Flint]

I'll pick up some Flourish next week. I didn't buy a light and it's waaay too dark in there. Hopefully I can get one tomorrow. /:

I did end up getting a fish, however. A lovely little betta and a Nerite snail friend.
I'm going to make a journal thread as soon as I find a light that doesn't require being plugged in.

The 10 is going to get broken down and the 75 won't see water anytime soon. We're moving in 6-8 months and I don't want to JUST have my tanks establishing and have to break them down and move them. It sucks. /: But now I can put my money towards a puppy or into the future tank fund.

 

[Flint]

 

[Chesh]

Hooray pics! He's so pretty - and so is the kitty! I love Zebra Nerite snails, too! I'm sure they have names? Nice piece of driftwood - the tank looks REALLY good!!! I hope you find a light that works for it!

I can't blame you for waiting to set up the tanks until after the move. A move is hard enough without moving fish, and I'm thinking you'll have your hands full with other things, as well by then *GRINS*

Can't wait for your journal thread on this pretty little tank, and for the future when you DO get that 75 set up and running! It's going to be a fun and exciting 2014 for you, I think!

 

[Flint]

I'm going to keep the ten up. I'm breaking it down and re-cycling it. Then I'll get my eel and I'll keep my two small tanks before the move. My eel will go in the 75 as soon as we move and I get the filters for it.

 

[Chesh]

Yikes! Will the eel be okay in a 10 for that long? I really don't know much about their care, but I know keeping a soon-to-be big animal in a small tank when they're young and growing quickly can have a detrimental effect on their future growth and health. Might be worth setting up that 75g after all - or holding off on the eel until after the move, if that's possible. Maybe something to look farther into if you haven't already?

 

[Flint]

They grow about 6" a year. I'm going to get a 4 inch eel so she'll only be about 7" when we move. She has to be in the small tank Until she's eating well anyways. Trying to feed a tiny eel in a huge tank can prove problematic.
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[Flint]

Not to mention you have to subtract however long the tank takes to cycle.
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[Chesh]

Works for me! I meant no offense - as I said, I know nothing about 'monster' fish! Love those eels, though. Can't wait to see her whenever she arrives!

 

[Flint]

No offense taken!! My fiancé now doesn't know if we're moving or not. (We have a 95lb dog and nowhere decent wants over 25lbs) He needs to make up his mind! Lol
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[Flint]

I found a silver dollar-sized bubble nest yesterday! Glad he's making himself at home.

I just ordered some Flourish and a new test kit (threw mine out last week it was too old to be trustworthy). Still no light on the tank.
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[Flint]

Next week I'm going to try and get a full spectrum bulb. The week after, a clamp light and then an extension cord (no outlet in the bathroom where the tank is). Hopefully my Java Fern and Crypts will be okay until then. My flourish should be here week after next.
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[Flint]

I decided to move him to the 10 gallon for now. It has incandescent bulbs but I'm going to try and get at least one 6.5k bulb for it this week (It's a tetra 10 gal kit, has two small bulbs) but I need to get a toilet seat for the cat's makeshift toilet as well so if my $14 in store credit at my LFS doesn't cover it, it may have to wait. My crypts have straightened out from the little blobs they were on the bottom of the tank, though. It's just getting too cold (35F today!) to keep that tank unheated.

 

[Chesh]

heehee. . .worlds fastest upgrade! ^_^
I love seeing Betta fish in 10g tanks - that's going to be one happy fishy!
And three cheers for Crypts! You'll want to get root tabs for them, if you haven't already. *nods*

 

[Flint]

That or the whole tank is getting moved into the kitchen. I may be able to borrow the money for a 25 watt and a light from a friend. So many choices ): I'm playing musical tanks.
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[Chesh]

I've been playing musical tanks since day. . . three, I think it was. ^__^

 

[Flint]

Oh, I already am considering a Mbu puffer instead of the eel because I can plant the tank and all.... I'm so indecisive lmao.
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[Chesh]

lol, no worries!
You have as much time as you give yourself to research and decide!
Hubby make up his mind about the move yet?
How's Mr.Betta doing with his pretty plants!?

 

[Flint]

Were gonna go back over the plan when we get income taxes back. I'll probably stick with the eel just due to the cost of the Mbu. Going to set my 10 gallon up for a baby green spotted puffer grow out.

Pongo and Sher Khan are well. They are getting a heater and light on the 5th.
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