[TankYouVeryMuch]

Had this extra jar sitting around and dont need another shrimp jar, so figured i would make it a betta tank since ive never owned one.

Id like to say its a 2.5gal jar but im not sure yet (will try to check with next water change). Miracle grow capped with silica sand because i love the way the white pops and i dont know what all i want to plant in here yet.

As of right now i just have the elodea, but was thinking of adding a narrow leaf java fern on a small rock. There will be no ferts/co2 just like my shrimp jar, and i will try to not put moss in here lol

Im also not sure on the wattage of the led lamp, box didnt say and i bought it a while ago, we will see if its enough to grow anything...

And heres a picture of my male betta (Bob)

I will update this soon...

 

[Braxx]

Tankyou, I've seen a few of your journals lately and a few start with just one little humble plant in this seemingly big 'ole jar. I'm going to start calling it the TYVM Method! looking good as always.

 

[TankYouVeryMuch]

lol. Its only because my plant stock is still young and starting up, not much to go around. I am also super impatient and dont like waiting for things to grow before adding fauna like most people, id rather watch it grow with the fish as long as the parameters are right, theyre going in. Hah. I am also a big fan of simple looking scapes that arent overcrowded... Im sure ill have a jungle tank someday tho

 

[Kat12]

doesn't it need a filter?

 

[TankYouVeryMuch]

20-25% wc twice a week was the plan instead of a filter... Most people who keep these have them in tiny jars and probably do water changes every couple-few weeks...

Right?

 

[chunkychun]

It does look cool with one plant but I think it may be a bad idea. I would add some floaters or Anacharis to suck up some nitrates etc until you have good growth with your other permanent plants.

Once you have good growth, I top off and like you said every couple of weeks water change

 

[Loco4Tanks]

Five gallons is bare bones minimum.. Ten is is actually recommended as a minimum... Just because wild bettas are found clinging to life in small puddles during the dry season, which is where the idea they only need a small bowl with no filtration came from, doesn't mean they shouldn't be treated better... I agree, more plants ASAP.. Hyacinth would be nice as a natural filter... I'm in the process of turning an aqueon 15 gallon column into a riparium.. It'll hold 10 gallons of water, be somewhat heavily planted and have a small fluval 106 and house a single high quality betta and maybe a couple corys or something else to help keep it clean. For lighting, I'm using a 35 watt 6500k compact fluorescent in a black clip lamp... I'm going to derim it first... I didn't have to buy anything though,, already had everything sitting in a closet... I'll probably do liquid carbon supplementation and root tabs...
I admit, what you've done looks cool... But my opinion is it is inefficient... Good luck

 

[TankYouVeryMuch]

I never said it was finished with plants...

Before reading this, i did add some floaters just to make it look fuller.

And, sorry but he will have to deal with his 2.5gal. Either that or nothing at all, i was simply sayin, he will be happier than dying in his cup or going to someone who knows nothing about fish

 

[Loco4Tanks]

I never said it was finished with plants...

Before reading this, i did add some floaters just to make it look fuller.

And, sorry but he will have to deal with his 5gal. Either that or nothing at all, i was simply sayin, he will be happier than dying in his cup or going to someone who knows nothing about fish

Good Luck... Remember, just because your setup isn't as bad as "most people's" doesn't make yours good...be religious about water changes and testing... Sorry,, I'm just a firm believer in the philosophy, that if we rob an animal of it's freedom for our pleasure, we owe it to that animal to give it our very best... I also subscribe to the theory that if you can't afford it don't have it.. That applies to kids, animals and even cars and houses... All the things mentioned have a lot more cost than original purchase price..... I get pissed when I hear about stuff like people having their dog put down because they can't afford the vet bill,, or fish suffering because the person was too cheap to buy proper filtration etc etc

But like I said, you're betta jar does look cool... I hope you keep him healthy and happy

 

[TankYouVeryMuch]

So, whats better:

This 2.5gal tall jar, no filter, twice weekly wc
Or
2gal square vase but would be able to have a filter

The hob cant fit on the current jar

Not into buying a new tank for him (because i want a jar, not because money issues)

 

[Loco4Tanks]

So, whats better:

This 5gal tall jar, no filter, twice weekly wc
Or
2gal square vase but would be able to have a filter

The hob, ob cant fit on the current jar

Not into buying a new tank for him (because i want a jar, not because money issues)

You could do a small external filter.. Even a DIY miniature planted bog filter with pea gravel and plant, placed in that two gallon square vase you mentioned that waterfalls into the jar would work.

 

[FungusTrooper]

Get a sponge filter. This is the exact thing a sponge filter is for.

 

[Briz]

Another important aspect for Betta health is being overlooked. Bettas do best in temperatures of around 76-82 degrees F. You may consider adding a heater if you want Bob to flourish. Otherwise, he will likely not be as colorful or active in cooler water; it could also lower his immune system capabilities. If you're only interested in having a beautiful tank and not caring for the fish, then by all means ignore our advice. If you ever have any questions about proper Betta care and how knowledgeable people keep them, check out http://www.bettafish.com/. Fantastic forum for Betta enthusiasts.

Remember, just because your setup isn't as bad as "most people's" doesn't make yours good

+1

 

[TankYouVeryMuch]

Just because i dont know doesnt mean i dont care.

Exhibit A:

Seeing this, im wondering if i should just donate the fish and use it as a shrimp jar, not because its work, but i was looking for something clean and not clogged with wires/tubes


I am about to google, but can anything else be kept in here besides shrimp? I know its a small list

-edit-
Filter is from a friends tank, so its cycled just fyi... Also added panty hose incase i add something tiny

 

[Loco4Tanks]

A glass lily pipe to a nano filter wouldn't look too bad. You could have a glass straw return pipe. could also put a reptile heating pad under the tank/jar... I still think it's too small,, but these ideas might get you the clean look you're after

 

[chunkychun]

I vote keep using the 5gal jar. You don't need a filter. Add even more plants! I'm not a betta expert but my betta is pretty happy in a 3 gal so I'm sure your will be okay in a 5 gal. even on the betta forum lots of people are using less than 5 gal tanks. More is better but for one fish I think 5 gal is pretty good.

Although shrimps are great fun! some people will keep nano fish in a 5 gal like least killi fish.

 

[Loco4Tanks]

You could do a small planted.. Center rock made to look like mountain or use moss on a branch to get the bonsai look sans fish.

 

[Briz]

I agree, if you add more plants you may like the look of it much better! But if you are going for that simple beauty, then shrimp may be the best bet.

 

[TankYouVeryMuch]

On the hunt for more plants then and will watch raoks... I have a shrimp jar and shrimp tank, so this will be Bob's home, heavily planted in the future.

Thanks for posting chunkychun, was started to feel bad lol

 

[Loco4Tanks]

Just take $10 to petco.. They have plenty of low light plants in the $2.00-$3.00 range...