3 gallon betta tank

[candice&jeff]

Hello Everyone! I'm new to the forum and to planted tanks for that matter, lol. So I need all the advise I can get. I'm wanting to fully plant my Betta's tank so I can get the hang of things before I start on my 10 gallon. (I have some Red ludwig and an Amazon Sword in the 10 gallon now, I may move them to the betta's tank once I get a good light for it.)

Here's waht I've got now:
-3 Gallon Tetra Water Wonders tank
-2-10gallon Whisper Interanl Filter
-Led clip-on light
-Substrate=Tahitan Moon Sand with Laterite on bottom

Right now I'm using fake plants but, I've ordered a few plants from anther member, thanks BMXMAN37!
-Marsala Quadrifolia or Four Leaf Clover
-Some Dwarf Hairgrass
-Christmas Moss, enough to get started..
-and Some Java Fern

I'm aslo wanting to find a plant that will gro tall, suggestions anyone?

I'm also planning to order a HOB Azoo Palm Filter(to replace the internal filter) for tanks up to 5 gallons, one of the 7.5 watt mini heaters, and a small piece of driftwood. I need some help from you all on lighting? I'm hoping to get all this ordered by Wednesday 7/8/09.

Any advise, tips, thoughts, or help are greatly appriciated!!

Here's some pictures of the tank and our betta:

[candice&jeff]

Questions!!
1. Can some one direct me to some good reading? Or good threads?
2. Lighting?? I'm clueless as to what I need here.....
3. Fertilizers?? Again clueless....
4. Please tell me what you all think about my plan!! Suggestions, advice,....

Thanks Everyone!!

[Phoenix-cry]

Er...I thought I posted. Anyway, what I had said was that I'd avoid dwarf hairgrass, I've never had anything but trouble with it.

I like the look of the tank itself.

[crimsonbull57]

welcome to the forum,
here is some good things to read up on
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...ad.php?t=49718
http://www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=17

I can't really speak for lighting or ferts.
Just start slow and work your way up, have a plan on how you want your tank to look and don't rush things...well thats my 2cents
good luck

-Crim

[candice&jeff]

Thanks for the tip Phoenix-Cry, by the way I love your art!! I've already ordered the Dwarf HG, so I guess I'll try my luck.

CB57 thanks for the reading and advice!!

[FrostyNYC]

I'm with Phoenix-cry. You picked a good selection of low light plants, with the exception of the hairgrass, which prefers higher light. I have a 2.5 gallon tank myself (shrimp tank, not betta tank, but close enough), and I just use a desklamp over it. Easy, efficient, and cheap.

I'd go with the java fern, moss, and marsilea and maybe throw some floating plants on top to make the beta a little happier. For tall growing plants, you can go with some needle-leaf or narrow-leaf java fern, or just use some driftwood and tie moss to it for height. That will keep your 3 gallon very low maintenance. I wouldnt even dose the tank with any ferts as long as your lighting is reasonably low.

[candice&jeff]

Originally Posted by FrostyNYC

I'm with Phoenix-cry. You picked a good selection of low light plants, with the exception of the hairgrass, which prefers higher light. I have a 2.5 gallon tank myself (shrimp tank, not betta tank, but close enough), and I just use a desklamp over it. Easy, efficient, and cheap.

I'd go with the java fern, moss, and marsilea and maybe throw some floating plants on top to make the beta a little happier. For tall growing plants, you can go with some needle-leaf or narrow-leaf java fern, or just use some driftwood and tie moss to it for height. That will keep your 3 gallon very low maintenance. I wouldnt even dose the tank with any ferts as long as your lighting is reasonably low.

What type of light bulb would you suggest for the desklamp? I'm so glad I did ok on getting low-light plants, and no ferts!! Even better lol!

[candice&jeff]

Hello again everyone, I was hoping you all could give me a little more advise on lighting, I still fell unsure about what to get. Anyway, I found this led light http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...m?pcatid=20413 and wanted to see if you all thought it would be ok it's 7watts witch would give me 2.34 watts per gallon.

I thought these (led lights) were only used for nocturnal lighting?? I currently have a led light on the tank (it's about half the size of the one I'm looking at) and it's not very bright, but I thought I would ask you all anyway, and see what your thoughts were.

Thanks again everyone!!

[Phoenix-cry]

When you start getting into higher watts per gallon the light is no longer the limiting factor so to have high light by no extra CO2 will just produce algae. 7 watts would be good for a low light tank with no extra CO2. I've never used LED, but I know people around here have.

And even though you've ordered the hairgrass...I might just not bother with it, it makes a horriable mess when it dies.

Good luck!


Glad you like the art!

[ZooTycoonMaster]

By the way, Tiger Barbs, Plecos, and Pictus Catfish grow too big for a 10 gallon

[candice&jeff]

Thanks for the tip Ph. Sky, I think I'll take you advice.

I know the fish in my 10 gallon will out grow it, the 10 gallon was my first tank ever. I've done a ton of research since then. I had no idea when I bought them. Right now they are all happy and healthy. We're planning to get a 29 gallon soon to move them to, we also plan to up the number of tiger barbs to at least 9.

I know the pleco is going to get to big for that also, so we plan to give him to a friend of ours with a 55 gallon. We might also give him the glo-fish danios if sticks to his plan for a school of them in his tank.

Thanks everyone

[candice&jeff]

Just another update, I went out and bought a clamp on desk lamp today, I also bought a 9watt (40watt equiv.) 5500K compact floresent daylight bulb. So I figure 3 watts per gallon. Do you all think I will need to ferts with this lighting? If s owhat do you suggest? Florish? Sorry for all the questions I'm a noob. lol.

[bmxman37]

hey, looks like your off to a good start. that plants i shipped you were grown with 2 23watt 6500k cfl's and clip on lamps from walmart and their $10 filter with a diy co2 drilled in, i never used any ferts,, just a little excel , and the tank grew insane.. also i threw in some ludwiga that stuff gets pretty tall... good background plant imop.. good luck!!!

[equi_design]

I'm of the opinion that you should wait until your tank establishes before you start dosing Excel & ferts. Just keep an eye on your plants. They'll tell you. Typically for me, it's about 2 months in before I start dosing my nano-betta tanks (I have a 3gal, 2 2gals, and a 6.6gal Betta tanks). I use clip on lights on most of them with 14W CFL spirals. I know they aren't the best lights for plants, but I'm not after super high-growth. Just happiness.

Good luck and post pictures when you can!

[candice&jeff]

Thanks for the responses!! I should get the plants today I'll post pics once I get done scaping.