SammyJ

Been registered for a few weeks and have found lots of good info from yall so far. I will start with my setups. I have 2 tanks, a betta tank that has 3 females and one male. The tank is around 10 gallons and the Bettas seems to be liking it a lot.

My main tank setup is a 10 gallon as well but has 4 peppered cories, 1 blue neon dwarf Gourami, and 7 guppies. They seem to be happy as well even though I have lost a few of the guppies . The good news is 3 of my females are expecting.

My question is this. I want to go minimalist for decorations. I had some garish looking fake plants and ended up taking them out and putting in some fake fry grass. I also have a small underwater river ordered that I am going to put in the main tank. I was wondering about live plants. I am looking for something that isn't going to take up a lot of space but still look attractive. I was thinking one of those floating plants that extends its roots down into the water or some actual live grass instead of the fake stuff.

I have attached some pics and welcome any input from you more experienced aquarium keepers.

I have to admit that this hobby has consumed me to the point my World of Warcraft time is down to an hour or so a night . Watching the fish is relaxing and entertaining at the same time. I am already working a deal on a second hand 30 gallon setup though so far have only really set my mind on a Dojo Loche, what other fish go in is still up in the air.

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SammyJ

A few more pics of my tanks. The above pics are of my betta tank. The 2 here will be of my Male Betta CT, and of my main tank. I consider the Betta tank a complete work as far as the decor goes. I am just having trouble getting my main tank just right.

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jdhef

Welcome to FishLore! I was reading your post, and the first thing I thought was, "I sure hope that Betta Tank is a divided tank". The reason I thought this is because Betta's generally do not get along with one another. If they are all together, eventually you will be left with only one.

Also, you other tank is severly overstocked. A general rule of thumb for small fish (which you have) is one inch of adult size fish per gallon.

I'm sorry I do not have any advice on the actual question you asked, but it seems to me that you are heading for disaster, and I wanted to try to help you out before distaster strikes.

Good luck

agabr123

unfortunately i agree with jdhef, the "three females to one male" ratio just doesn't work with bettas, as the females are just as aggressive towards each other and towards males as well. even if you haven't had any problems thus far, it's almost inevitable that you will. your best option is to divide the tank, and even then you should probably return one of them, because dividing a 10 gallon four ways is going to be a little cramped.

again, agreed on the other 10 gallon, also you'll need another tank for the fry or they will probably get eaten.

as far as the decorations, if you really want to go minimalist i would just get one piece of driftwood and maybe a couple tall plants in the back and a couple short ones in the front


welcome to fishlore

Lucy

Hi welcome to Fish Lore

Your bettas are really pretty.

I'm really surprised your set up is working for you. Were these Betta's raised together?
I'm sorry to sound so negative but it's really not recommended to keep bettas together in a 10g. Things can go wrong really fast.
It would be a good idea to have an alternate plan ready at the first sign of aggression.

Most Bettas like soft plants to swim around and things to swim through. In your case they would also serve as a place to get away from each other.

Here's a good link to our Betta care thread, I hope it helps
Welcome and Betta Care Guide - Please Read First!!!

Good luck

Edit: Opps Good advice from the above posters.

SammyJ

I was afraid of that. I will have to pick up another tank to keep the overstock guppies in. What I could do is pick up a 2.5 gallon setup and just put the male in there and then divide the 10 gallon 3 ways. Or maby another 10 with a divider half guppies/half male betta.

They give each other their space. They were not raised together but act like they were. They flare their gills a bit but are not biting the others fins off. The male seems accepting of the situation as well. I keep an eye on them and am ready to move any of them should dangerous levels of aggression occur.

agabr123

i'd go with the divided ten over the 2.5, i have two bettas in 2.5 gallon tanks and i really don't like them. they're more expensive and more trouble than they're worth. it's actually a lot cheaper to get a 5 gallon kit as opposed to a 2.5 gallon tank

Lucy

Getting the male a 2.5 set up would be a terrific idea but personally I wouldn't go less than a 5 for a betta. Don't forget the heater. Dividing the 10g for your females would work fine.
Then maybe a 10g for your guppies.

Edit: Or Alex's idea lol

SammyJ

I was considering giving my bettas a new home with a friend of mine, but the little buggers have grown on me. They will all eat blood worms off of my finger tips. They are little charmers. I keep an eye on them and have contingency plans in place should the females decide to go into cage match mode. So far they are a happy, slightly disfunctional family with daddy betta being the king and my blue/purple female being the queen of the tank.

I did do a trade today though with a friend of mine. The blue neon dwarf Gourami is back with his brothers in a 55 gallon setup. I traded him for an adult cobratail female guppie and a cup of gravel. The blue neon was not happy at all in a 10 gallon setup. The new bioload on my tank should be much less witn the 4 pepper cories and 5 guppies. When the corries get a bigger I will transfer one or 2 of them to the betta tank for clean up crew.

I have decided to do some live plants as well. Gonna order a mixed plant pack online and do both the main tank and the betta tank. What I am hoping for is that I can get the plants set up to look good and at the same time utilize those nitrates.

I appreciate the good advice as it helped me to decide to get a better home for my blue neon dwarf Gourami. I would rather he live happily in another tank than be miserable in a setup that is too small for him. It does help that I can visit him and his brothers when I am at work

Emory

Hi there!

I love WoW, too! What realm do you play on? Earthen Ring here.

I think I read somewhere above a suggestion or thought to put the Betta in with guppies. That may be a bad idea as the finnage and coloration may make the Betta think the guppy is another male and he will kill the guppy. Of course, it all depends on your Betta's personality.

I bought a 2.5 gallon mini bow for a Betta I rescued from death's doorway. Bad idea. I would never go less than a 5 gallon now. The water quality can change way to fast. IMHO it is safer to keep larger tanks.

And, I really hate to be so negative and am sorry. I have one more thing. One of the tanks in the above pictures was hanging off of the wooden cabinet it is on. That is pretty stressful for the glass and adhesive holding the glass panes together.

I hope you aren't bummed by all this. Fish keeping is fantastic and the more mistakes you make the better you get at it and the happier your fish will be.... eventually. Stay with us, man!

And message me if you play on my realm!

Leni

Java fern is a good live plant, and it attaches easily to driftwood, which your cories will love. A small piece of driftwood with a piece or two of java fern should give the effect I think you're looking for, without completely taking away your view of the fish.

I also play WoW. If you get bored, come over to Draka and say hi to Saladzar, my BE warlock. :P

EDIT: Really should watch post dates. I guess some of the forums don't move as fast as the DIY forum :P

peacemaker92

wow! love the pics! Your male betta looks great!