20Long Betta Biotope *New Crowntail!*

[Betta Maniac]

I have a new "giant" betta on the way (Crowley):


To house my mini-monster, I got a 20G-Long at the PetCo $1/G sale yesterday. Then I went to Albany Aquariums and spent $$$ for ADA Amazonia, lights (Coralife Aqualight T5 Dual Lamp Fixture), heater, and some Blyxa japonica. Not sure what else I want to put in yet . . . but am open to suggestions.

Here's the tank on my sideboard with the ADA in it and a bowl/plate so I could fill it:


Here it is filled and full of sediment:


And here it is this morning with the first plants in, the light on, and my janky old HOB filter running (waiting for the Ehiem Classic to arrive).

[Betta Maniac]

1) I'd like to find a good piece of wood to go in there.

2) Eventually I'd like to get some corries, apple snails, ottos for clean-up and some kind of peaceful schooling fish (my LFS has lots of great options) to add some color and life.

Not anymore! Gonna go biotope . . .

[x_stephanie_x]

such a pretty boy
I like rummynose tetras those will go well in a school

[Da Plant Man]

Looks good! I don't think rummy noses would be a good fit for this tank. I would recommend a 30g tank if you want them. Perhaps some ember tetra would be nice as a schooling fish? I love my ember tetra. They may not look the best at the LFS, but after a month of having them (I know, a long time to get their color back) they have the brightest red EVER.

[Betta Maniac]

The embers at my LFS are beautiful. They're definitely in the running. I think they'd look esp good since the betta has orange on his fins.

[huhu89151734]

How much did you pay for each Blxya Japonica? I think I will need a trip to Albany Aquarium pretty soon.....

[Betta Maniac]

Originally Posted by huhu89151734

How much did you pay for each Blxya Japonica? I think I will need a trip to Albany Aquarium pretty soon.....

I think it was $8 for 3 plants/bunches. I've got 9 in the tank at the moment.

Got an arrival date for my betta too. Jan 18th. Which is awesome. Gives me plenty of time to get the tank up and running.

[huhu89151734]

Thanks a lot!

[sewingalot]

Do you think the aquasoil will be done leeching ammonia by then? That is one handsome betta you are getting.

[Betta Maniac]

Originally Posted by sewingalot

Do you think the aquasoil will be done leeching ammonia by then? That is one handsome betta you are getting.

In my other tanks, it's taken anywhere from a couple of weeks to a month and a half . . . but the pH is so low (6) that the ammonia is all harmless ammonium. My other bettas have done fine.

[Betta Maniac]

Going to try and keep this a "Betta Biotope". So that means Thai plants and fish, and blackwater-type scaping.

I'm going to look to add some wood with attached Java Fern and some Rotala rotundifolia and/or Cryptocoryne balansae in the back ground.

As for fauna, I’m thinking of CPDs and maybe some Kuhli Loaches for cleanup (instead of the corries I have in the other tanks).

[kharma]

Originally Posted by Betta Maniac

Going to try and keep this a "Betta Biotope". So that means Thai plants and fish, and blackwater-type scaping.

I'm going to look to add some wood with attached Java Fern and some Rotala rotundifolia and/or Cryptocoryne balansae in the back ground.

As for fauna, I’m thinking of CPDs and maybe some Kuhli Loaches for cleanup (instead of the corries I have in the other tanks).

Oak leaves in the filter will really turn the color nicely or you can just have a leaf litter on the ground and get the same effect.

[Betta Maniac]

Originally Posted by kharma

Oak leaves in the filter will really turn the color nicely or you can just have a leaf litter on the ground and get the same effect.

I've heard that . . . my best friend has oaks on her property up in the mountains, maybe I'll ask her to send me an envelope full, LOL! I've been buying IAL off aquabid.

[Betta Maniac]

My little Eheim 2211 has shipped! I know it's tiny, but it's more than enough for a 20G (according to specs) and it will provide a way for me to get my feet wet (so to speak) in the land of canister filters. Can’t wait for it to show up.

Also can’t wait to get my butt back over to Albany Aquariums for some more plants and to price out the for the tank.

Still need to find a good piece of wood. Not willing to pay what AA wants (I mean come on, it's a piece of wood, I'm not paying $80 for a tiny piece of wood; that's the one thing that the price of simply sticks in my craw when I'm there).

Got my first nitrate reading last night!

[AquaStudent]

That's an amazing looking Betta! I wish I lived in the San Fran area. AA looks like an amazing store...to bad I don't live near one