Marko's 5 gallon Betta Barracks -- update (4/13/13)

[@marko@]

specs
tank: all glass 5.5 gallon
filter: azoo mignon filter x3
DIY acrylic dividers
substrate: flourite
flora: v. montagnei, a. nana petite, m. pteporus trident, c. parva, c. pontederiifolia, l. sessiliflora, h. tiger, n. aquatica
fauna: 2 black orchid CT b. spendens (1 male, 1 female)

pics









the fourth compartment is not yet finished. and i may move the smaller gardn planter from the second one into it, not sure yet.

the female unfortunately has velvet, i just got her shipped to me a few days ago, and she caught in during travel. most annoyingly, i didnt notice until she was already i the tank sharing water with the male.
she is doing ok though. is active and eating nicely.
am treating with salt, higher temps, Cu, and malachite green.

[CatB]

pretty setup, though i certainly don't agree with keeping bettas in this small of containers... 5.5 gallons is big enough for ONE betta IMHO.
are you going to attempt breeding?

EDIT: i'd also be worried that the flow would hurt the bettas' fins. that looks like a pretty hard stream of water if you don't have it baffled somehow...

[@marko@]

bettas dont spend too much time swimming once mature, IME. and each betta has over a gallon of swimming space. 5 gallons is the min for many fish, because it is hard to keep tanks smaller than that at stable temps, but this setup allows me to keep the bettas in a stable environment. and the water is chemically stable as well, with 3 filters, gravel, plants, and weekly 50% WC, the tank has very healthy parameters.

yes the two are being conditioned for breeding at the moment. i intend to attempt breeding 1-2 weeks after the females velvet passes.

[CatB]

Originally Posted by @marko@

bettas dont spend too much time swimming once mature, IME. and each betta has over a gallon of swimming space. 5 gallons is the min for many fish, because it is hard to keep tanks smaller than that at stable temps, but this setup allows me to keep the bettas in a stable environment. and the water is chemically stable as well, with 3 filters, gravel, plants, and weekly 50% WC, the tank has very healthy parameters.

yes the two are being conditioned for breeding at the moment. i intend to attempt breeding 1-2 weeks after the females velvet passes.

fair enough, i used to keep bettas in half-gallon bowls and they didn't swim that much. but now i have a betta in a 5.5 gallon, and he really utilizes the swimming space. depends on the fish, i guess.

cool. good luck!

[Chrisinator]

I definetely agree. I have fish that will always swim til they pass away or just sit in a corner all their lives. Guess some fish are more adventurous than others!

[atom]

If you divide it into 3 sections instead of 4 it would give you more room to aquascape and the bettas would benefit from the extra bit of horizontal swimming space. I'm partial to odd numbers . Aesthetically I think 3 compartments would look better, but that's just my preference.

Great idea though. Looks good so far. Cheers.

[atom]

If you divide it into 3 sections instead of 4 it would give you more room to aquascape and the bettas would benefit from the extra bit of horizontal swimming space. I'm partial to odd numbers . Aesthetically I think 3 compartments would look better, but that's just my preference.

Great idea though. Looks good so far. Cheers.

[@marko@]

one month update:











NOTE: the damage to the males fins is from breeding 2 weeks ago.

[Geniusdudekiran]

Wow, the black CT is fantastic!

[@marko@]

Originally Posted by Geniusdudekiran

Wow, the black CT is fantastic!

thanks
they are all black orchids, but the leftmost male has the least blue iridescence. he has the best coloration, while the female and her brother (which are unrelated to the leftmost male) are from a line with inferior coloration, but superior finnage and topline (spinal form). im hoping to get the best of both worlds in some of the offspring, and use them to further the lineage.

[picotank]

I like it............

[Ozydego]

I always like the more innovative designs and the pseudo UGF/HOB is a pretty cool design... nce job

[gabysapha]

I'm always hunting Petsmart for a black orchid..... it will happen one day
Unique set up!

[@marko@]

Originally Posted by picotank

I like it............

thanks

Originally Posted by Ozydego

I always like the more innovative designs and the pseudo UGF/HOB is a pretty cool design... nce job

thanks.
there is no UGF, though. what your probably thinking is a HOB is the moss carpet. the moss just hasnt grown enough to cover the mesh.

Originally Posted by gabysapha

I'm always hunting Petsmart for a black orchid..... it will happen one day
Unique set up!

it might, but even if it does, it will be a genetic mutt that looks like a black orchid, not an actual black orchid. buying from a breeder is the best option. normally id tell you to buy from me, but my black orchid spawn i under 3 weeks old, so itll be a while til they can be sold.

[Taari]

What do you charge for one of those black orchids?

Tank looks great too, btw. I like how each section has it's own little scape going on, very hard to make that small a space look so nice I bet.