5g Planted Betta Tank

[MoombasWrath]

Welcome to my build thread! I am returning to the hobby after a hiatus.. I live in the Baltimore area and about a year ago we had prolonged blackout. I had a thriving Saltwater tank at the time, filled with corals and a beloved copperband butterfly, among other fish. I had a battery backup that could run the pumps for 3 days (I thought, when could I possibly need backup power longer than that?).. well, we lost power for 5 days, and with an infant in the winter we had priorities besides the tank. This is all to say that, I took a long break because I was heartbroken that I lost everything. Now I am very tentatively ready to dip my toe in again, with freshwater.

So! I bought a 5 gallon tank with built in filtration, broke out an old heater, and am starting a betta tank. It is nearly done cycling. I have picked out a beautiful betta for it and plan to make it a planted tank.

Attached are pics of the tank (Top Fin 5g), the betta (open to name suggestions!), and some inspirational photos showing what I would like to do for the aquascape. Stay tuned for updates!

 

[wrs2]

That's a beautiful Betta and a nice looking tank! I bet it will look great once planted!

 

[MoombasWrath]

Alrighty then no inspirational photos lol I guess they’re not allowed

That's a beautiful Betta and a nice looking tank! I bet it will look great once planted!

Thank you! I plan to do a driftwood bonsaI with moss balls attached and a grassy bottom. Hopefully the built in lights in this tank can support that

 

[PascalKrypt]

What a stunning betta! Kind of has a lava vs ice theme going on. Maybe that helps with names.

Love the stand as well, dark wood will make a spectacular contrast with a cool-lit scape and a vibrant betta. Looking forward to pictures of the finished product (no pressure, hehe).

 

[Fanatic]

Hello, and welcome to fishlore!

Wow, he's stunning! I am really excited to follow along here and see what you can create.

 

[imba]

Alrighty then no inspirational photos lol I guess they’re not allowed



Thank you! I plan to do a driftwood bonsaI with moss balls attached and a grassy bottom. Hopefully the built in lights in this tank can support that

inspiration for 5 gallon betta tank? here's my 5.5g from last September

 

[MoombasWrath]

Thanks all for the compliments! Here’s a new pic of him. He still doesn’t have a name cuz I can’t decide:


Still waiting on tank decor in the mail.

inspiration for 5 gallon betta tank? here's my 5.5g from last September

That’s gorgeous!! Hope mine turns out as nice!!

Are there any lights I could get to bring out the best of my Bettas colors? They show up gorgeous in a pic with flash but kind of dull in person.

 

[PascalKrypt]

Love the peacock colouration! Very handsome fellow
You could try a soft, purple-ish light, they tend to bring out iridesence well in some other fish I have.

 

[MoombasWrath]

Updated shot of the tank. I plan to attach moss balls to the tree branches in future and add some other plants. But I’ve never done a planted tank before so I need to do some research first! Suggestions for low maintenance ground cover (great if it’s grassy looking) would be appreciated.