Buying a new betta tank! Suggestions?

3129 Views 12 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Mamabear, Mar 3, 2014

redfox

Discussion Starter · Mar 1, 2014

Alright. So, just in case some of the people who viewed my last thread are reading this one.......... I'm getting a new tank for my betta! I convinced my parents (apparently by "new tank" they thought I wanted to add another tank rather than upgrade the tank for my betta. We have serious communication issues. lol.) Anyway, I cleared a spot in my room, the tank still needs to be small (no bigger than 6g) I'm looking for something streamlined, I like tanks that have the filtration media tucked away so that I can just enjoy my fish and plants. I've been eyeing the fluval edge 6g and more recently the EHEIM aqua style (either 4g or 6g not sure yet). Anyway I'm very open to suggestions from you guys. I would like suggestions on plants, substrate, tank, lighting, and anything you think I might need. I am willing to spend the money to buy something that I will really enjoy and that will be dependable for the long haul (When Jasper goes to fishy heaven I will definitely get another fish) and that will make my fish vibrant and happy. Let me tell you what I like and you can suggest away:

Tank: Streamline, filtration media hidden, all glass (I don't like black edging), 4g-6g

Plants: Something that carpets (I heard that I need CO2 for this. Can I whip up some homemade CO2 and only apply it until I get the plants to carpet or do I have to continue to apply even after I get them to the desired carpet?) If you think that's a bad idea, give me other suggestions! I really like the look of dwarf hairgrass even if it's just in little clusters. I already have marimo balls. I like how java moss looks on driftwood and stones. I really like a zen look when it comes to plants.... more like a field than a jungle.

Substrate: Something black. I don't know if I just need the soil or if I need to top it off with black sand or something.

Lighting: WTF I don't know what I'm doing

Basically I know what I like as far as looks (very natural and zen) but I don't know what I need to accomplish it. Like I know hairgrass needs high light but some other plants need low light and I don't want to buy a bunch of stuff and for it to not work together as an eco system.

Also, extra things that I might need. I already have a heater. I have aquarium salt. Anything else?

Oh! I love shrimp! Can I get a couple? ..... or will that be too much for the bio load?

Okay. I think you have an idea of what I like. I am willing to do some extra work and invest the money to get the look I want so don't be afraid to suggest away!!! This is my first planted tank and I have no clue what I'm doing so thank you SO much in advance. All advice is appreciated. (sorry I'm such a rookie) :icon_roll

~redfox

See less See more

Save

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

redfox

Discussion Starter · #2 · Mar 1, 2014

http://www.aquascapingworld.com/images/pinheiro manso final.jpg

I really think this is beautiful. I have no idea if this could be done on a smaller scale. I'm probably being over ambitious.

Save

thebuddha

· #3 · Mar 1, 2014

are you wanting an all in one tank, or are you willing to go with a rimless tank with a canister filter? I personally went for a truaqua tank with a ehiem canister hooked up to it, but you could go cheaper if your trying to stay inside a budget. or if you like the all in ones the best, those fluvals are pretty popular it seems

as far as plants go, I'm not a huge help. i have done nothing but low light plants in my tanks - crypts are my favorite. crypt parva can create a cool carpet if your willing to shell out some cash upfront to buy a lot, then give it plenty of time to grow in to look full

for dark substrates you could try aqua soil, eco complete, black sand, black blasting grit (totally safe - and as cheap as sand), fluval shrimp stratum, flourite black.. there are plenty other options out there I'm sure
if you are going to use actual soil, make sure to use an organic soil with no additives, sift all of the twigs and stuff out, and be sure to cap it with something. a lot of people use sand over top. a popular and safe soil that many people on here use is miracle grow organic choice potting mix.

If I remember correctly, aquarium salt is bad for most plants? idk for sure look into it. and shrimp don't have much of a bioload, its more a matter of whether or not your betta will want to eat them (some bettas demolish shrimp, some ignore them)

hope this helps

See less See more

Save

AquaAurora

· #4 · Mar 1, 2014

thebuddha said:
are you wanting an all in one tank, or are you willing to go with a rimless tank with a canister filter? I personally went for a truaqua tank with a ehiem canister hooked up to it, but you could go cheaper if your trying to stay inside a budget. or if you like the all in ones the best, those fluvals are pretty popular it seems

for dark substrates you could try aqua soil, eco complete, black sand, black blasting grit (totally safe - and as cheap as sand), fluval shrimp stratum, flourite black.. there are plenty other options out there I'm sure
if you are going to use actual soil, make sure to use an organic soil with no additives, sift all of the twigs and stuff out, and be sure to cap it with something. a lot of people use sand over top. a popular and safe soil that many people on here use is miracle grow organic choice potting mix.

If I remember correctly, aquarium salt is bad for most plants? idk for sure look into it. and shrimp don't have much of a bioload, its more a matter of whether or not your betta will want to eat them (some bettas demolish shrimp, some ignore them)

hope this helps

Very good info!
+1 on trueaqua and ehiem that's what I'm going with! Its pricy but doing that with an inline heater (diy or expensive pre-made) and glass lily pipes really gvie a nice pure natural feel (no tech-y stuff visible) in the tank.

Save

Stone454

· #5 · Mar 1, 2014

I am getting a 3 gallon azoo bowfront with a mirrored back, decent price, but this is my first azoo tank. I have bought a few of tthe tanks off of truaqua the 6.6 gallons great price at the time, I have been very happy with everything I have ordered from truaqua

Save

peachii

· #6 · Mar 1, 2014

I absolutely fell in love with the Schuber-Wright tank kit Mini 66- comes in several sizes 4,6, 9 but I couldn't find it for sale anywhere but Amazon and we won't be ordering off Amazon any longer, order it from the people who have it on Amazon and it's twice as much - which made no sense to me. If I could have bought this tank somewhere besides Amazon for the same price, it would be on the way but...oh well.

I also liked the JBJ Picotope tank kit but when I emailed the company about what light would fit into the fixture and if they sold a planted replacement - they tried to sell me a replacement planted light bulb "special order" for 38.00, almost as much as the tank, if i wanted to spend that I'd buy a whole new light fixture.

So we went with the Azoo Mirror "bay", it's awesome with the mirror background so I think I will like it alot. My baby betta Blake is going to be happy in his upgrade. I plan to stuff alot of driftwood, anubias, java fern, crypts and moss in his tank.

Save

redfox

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 2, 2014

Thebuddah: I'm not sure that the canister would work for me. It's more of a space issue than a money issue. I'm probably going to end up going with low light plants too.

I really want some shrimp I hope he doesn't eat them

AquaAurora: what exactly is the function of the lily pipes and how to I get one? Do they only work with specific tanks? (I've seen these before and they are so pretty and unobtrusive)

Thank you guys for all of your input!

Save

AquaAurora

· #8 · Mar 2, 2014

redfox said:
Thebuddah: I'm not sure that the canister would work for me. It's more of a space issue than a money issue. I'm probably going to end up going with low light plants too. I really want some shrimp I hope he doesn't eat them

AquaAurora: what exactly is the function of the lily pipes and how to I get one? Do they only work with specific tanks? (I've seen these before and they are so pretty and unobtrusive)

Thank you guys for all of your input!

Lily pipes are the intake and outtake for the tank that connect to a canister filter hose line (suck water in, push it back out from canister filter). There are a few different types but i don't know enough yet to advice on what is best. You can buy them for insane prices (but great quality) from places like ADA, or look on e-bay and amazon for them I've seen them sell for $15-$50 a piece (not for both) on e-bay depending on brand name. I don't believe the glass pipes will fit over rimmed tanks (do not know for sure.. think its too think). They look best over rimless tanks and I don't think they work as well in huge tanks (40+) but again don't know... mostly see them on small tanks usually under 20 gallons.

Save

Bonefish

· #9 · Mar 2, 2014

You could try shrimp, but whether or not they survive vs. become a snacky-snack depends on your betta and the available refuges for the shrimp. Some bettas are hardcore hunters. You might stand a better chance of shrimp survival if you go with some of the larger shrimp species, for example getting amanos in lieu of RCS. Alternatively, experiment with cheap species first (e.g. 50 cent ghost shrimp) before shelling out $2+ for what could become an expensive niblet for your fish.

Thick plantings and/or driftwood with nooks and crannies can provide shelter for the poor harassed shrimp, too.

Save

AquaAurora

· #10 · Mar 2, 2014

Bonefish said:
You could try shrimp, but whether or not they survive vs. become a snacky-snack depends on your betta and the available refuges for the shrimp. Some bettas are hardcore hunters. You might stand a better chance of shrimp survival if you go with some of the larger shrimp species, for example getting amanos in lieu of RCS. Alternatively, experiment with cheap species first (e.g. 50 cent ghost shrimp) before shelling out $2+ for what could become an expensive niblet for your fish.

Thick plantings and/or driftwood with nooks and crannies can provide shelter for the poor harassed shrimp, too.

Very good idea to start with a cheap larger one as a test. Also introduce the shrimp before the betta, betta can be territorial and not want to let anything new in their home once settled in. Profive plenty of hiding spots via plans/hardscape/decor for the shrimp but be sure you don't use sharp jagged stuff that can tear betta fins.

Save

peachii

· #11 · Mar 2, 2014

After my last test with my guys to see who could tolerate shrimp and who would eat them - I learned the hard way to put 1 shrimp in and only 1 shrimp until it was determined if they would eat them or not. My King Dexter, who had never eaten shrimp or bothered the amano that was in the tank with him for months, decided ghost shrimp were tasty. He ate all 4 over night and being bigger shrimp - caused him a ton of constipation, bloating and ultimately death as we couldn't get him unblocked. Breaks my heart that *I* killed this lovely fish by putting 4 ghost shrimp in his tank at the same time but I honestly didn't expect him to eat them since he literally ignored the Amano in the same tank.

Take it slow and easy and remove shrimp for the health of your betta if you see his is snacking on them. RCS would probably not cause the same issues the huge ghost shrimp did but I won't be trying it out any time soon on any of my beloved bettas.

Save

Entomologist210

· #12 · Mar 2, 2014

Fluval Edge or Spec V. They look classy, come with good filtration, come with lights suitable for planted tanks, and are small and streamlined.

Save

Mamabear

· #13 · Mar 3, 2014

Entomologist210 said:
Fluval Edge or Spec V. They look classy, come with good filtration, come with lights suitable for planted tanks, and are small and streamlined.

Here is my Beta set up with the Fluval 5. You really cannot beat the value. It's very space saving.

If you are patient, you can catch them on sale at Petco often. I got mine for 70ish dollars.

See less See more

Save

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month