[brooklyngal]

I'm putting a critter keeper on my desk for one of my male bettas, but the configuration is such that a filter is not an option, nor is a powerhead. I can put only a light atop it-

I was planning to put about .5" of dirt, and then .5" of eco-complete (its what I have on hand; heard it works well) and then plant heavily with fast-growing stems (ideas on those species?), some java fern, some crypt wendtii, and this terra cotta head with java fern attached.

I'll do water changes as needed (probably weekly), it just wont have a filter.

tank is roughly 3g, light will be a 9w CF. obviously the only stock will be a male betta.

do you think this will work, or is it asking for trouble?

 

[vespers_]

sure it'll work fine. i would do a weekly water change for sure though.

 

[brooklyngal]

yeah, I figured. considering its such a small tank though, it shouldnt be too hard to keep up with weekly water changes, lol.

 

[WallaceGrover]

On a 3g I would say no if it was anything other than a betta. The conditions aren't ideal though....

 

[mistergreen]

Go get a 10G tank. it's only $10. It'll make everybody happy.

 

[brooklyngal]

I realize their are more ideal setups to be had, but my only alternative here is to house him in a divided 10g, which I would like to avoid because I think individual housing is always better than divided tanks. I've heard of success with other similar setups (heavily planted, 2.5-3g, betta, no filter) but I wanted to get some opinions on it.

so- heavily planted, single betta, 3g tank, with weekly 50% water changes?

 

[zachary908]

That should work just fine. I'd also add some fast growing floaters to soak up excess nutrients.

 

[DogFish]

Use a heater, Marina makes a 10W, 17W & 25W. They are very small easier to hide. I'm using the 10w on my 4gl Finnex for my HMPK Betta.

 

[brooklyngal]

I have an extra one of those pre-set black pad heaters on-hand (what I like to use in my betta tanks) to use if I need it, but I've run nearly the same setup (same tank and light, just different substrate and plants) and didn't need it, but I can always pop it in if I need to!

 

[koebwil]

I like the idea, but want pictures.

 

[londonloco]

I have a 3g jar that sits 20 feet below a skylight. Two years ago I put a 5 leaf anubius in it. During the summer months I keep a betta in it, during the winter months I keep white cloud minnows. I do weekly 75% wc's on it. That 5 leaf anubias now has 15+ leaves on it. I do dose excel daily, but that's it, not ferts, no lights, no heater.

 

[brooklyngal]

I'll definitely post pics once its up I want to wait to fill it until I get some more plants in. my current plan for plants is some wisteria, crypt wendtii, java fern (wavy and narrow leaf), and float some salvinia. this is what I have one hand- I'll probably add some water sprite and maybe sunset hygro.

if I see that weekly waterchanges and heavy planting aren't keeping down ammonia, etc, then I'll get a filter, but I'd like to see if I can do without one, which I'm hopeful that I can.

 

[astrosag]

As long as you stay on top of the water changes - can't really miss many scheduled changes - and it doesn't get too cold wherever this tank will be, I think you'll be fine.

It must be heavily planted though - very heavily. In fact I would make sure stock a lot of plants in to begin with vs. letting a few grow - I wouldn't expect a lot of fast growth so you'll need dense flora at the get-go, imo. Also make sure not to overfeed the betta - very careful here! You may even be able to add a couple amano's to further digest anything that falls to the bottom.

 

[GDP]

At least add a small small air pump with an airstone. Will circulate water and provide o2.

 

[kamikazi]

You have a good plan. I have a betta at my office in a 1 gal tank. No heater, no filter. Just the standard light although I beefed up the reflector with aluminum foil.

Substrate is a bit of leftover floramax. plants are didplius dandria, pelia, and java fern.

Everything is going great. I do weekly 50-75% water changes. It's been setup at least 6 months now.