Aquascaping ideas - 5 gallon betta tank

Hey! I’m just making thread after thread but I am in the process of remaking my 5 gallon for a betta and I’m a little more ambitious with how I’m going about it.

so I have these 3 really nice pieces of driftwood I’m planning on using:


As of right now, this is what I’m planning:





For background plants in thinking Some big Java ferns, and I’m going to wedge some of my big anubias nanas around the driftwood. probably going to get some java moss/ anubias nana petites to glue to the driftwood.

that’s my plan for right now! any suggestions of driftwood placement, foreground plant suggestions (no CO2), and substrate I can layer on top of the soil? The aquasoil is escuro fx, and I kind of want to layer a gravel or sand on top. I was thinking a lighter sand color, but I think darker substrate would make the plants pop out more yeah?

I was thinking about carpeting but I don’t want too much green since I’m planning on heavily planting this tank.

Feel free to suggest anything. I’ll probably log my scaping here if anyone is interested in me going through this.

 

I wood try to get as much height as possible from the driftwood positioned off center like you have it. Alternatively you could have it central and plant around it.
I love Crypts and they're usually super simple to take care of.
Interested

 

I wood try to get as much height as possible from the driftwood positioned off center like you have it. Alternatively you could have it central and plant around it.
I love Crypts and they're usually super simple to take care of.
Interested

“I wood try” u think ur slick
that’s right! I was trying with height but it was not working out. Lets see how about:




I’ll look into crypts! I heard allot of things about them. (Edit: I just looked them up and I Think I actually have them in my 3 gallon LOL)

 

“I wood try” u think ur slick
that’s right! I was trying with height but it was not working out. Lets see how about:
View attachment 689849
View attachment 689850
I’ll look into crypts! I heard allot of things about them. (Edit: I just looked them up and I Think I actually have them in my 3 gallon LOL)

I don't hate it but there's something missing
There's lots of Crypts to choose from, one of my favorites is "Bullosa" although that might get a little big, i'm not sure. It'd look nice though mixed with one of the more green species.
I'm always slick it seems

 

I don't hate it but there's something missing
There's lots of Crypts to choose from, one of my favorites is "Bullosa" although that might get a little big, i'm not sure. It'd look nice though mixed with one of the more green species.
I'm always slick it seems

That’s what I’m thinking hmmmmm. How about:




I really like the off center comps for tanks so I’m trying to make this work LOL
I would like some texture with some plants. Can always trim hahaha

 

That’s what I’m thinking hmmmmm. How about:
View attachment 689855
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I really like the off center comps for tanks so I’m trying to make this work LOL
I would like a pop of color with some plants. Can always trim hahaha

I quite like that, it has height but also a bulky core
Maybe try a Tiger Lotus? No idea how it would do in a Nano tank as they can get a little big but they can also stay small with trimming I think
Super knowledgeable about plants

 

I quite like that, it has height but also a bulky core
Maybe try a Tiger Lotus? No idea how it would do in a Nano tank as they can get a little big but they can also stay small with trimming I think
Super knowledgeable about plants

So knowledgeable

Oooh tasty reds. Those would really pop. I was thinking about getting frogbit or some red floaters too. I rlly want a floating plant this time around I just got some anacharis too so? hmmmmm

but yeah! I’m liking it allot too. Very chunky at the bottom. reminds me of a wizard hat hahaha

 

So knowledgeable

Oooh tasty reds. Those would really pop. I was thinking about getting frogbit or some red floaters too. I rlly want a floating plant this time around I just got some anacharis too so? hmmmmm

but yeah! I’m liking it allot too. Very chunky at the bottom. reminds me of a wizard hat hahaha

I'm glad you realized

I love frogbit it's my favorite floater i've had, it hates movement on the water it seems. You could try red root floaters, they look really pretty pfff I realized when typing

I totally see it

 

Nice! I also like the newest arrangement. See if you can get the wood to branch away from each other to create more dimension

Unless you're married to the idea of those rocks, I would see if you can find some with a bit more character. Edges, corners, holes, jags, etc. Place them under the wood instead of separate from it.
Something like:
5gal Nano Aquascape — [ STUDIO AQUATICA ]

I wouldn't cap the soil, it gets a little messy if you do.

 

Nice! I also like the newest arrangement. See if you can get the wood to branch away from each other to create more dimension

Unless you're married to the idea of those rocks, I would see if you can find some with a bit more character. Edges, corners, holes, jags, etc. Place them under the wood instead of separate from it.
Something like:
5gal Nano Aquascape — [ STUDIO AQUATICA ]

I wouldn't cap the soil, it gets a little messy if you do.

Oh I’m not really married to the rocks hahahaha those are like $5 rocks I got from PetSmart I was considering looking at more rocks with character.

I’ll give it go! I’ll probably post pics once I mess with comp again.

and really? I felt like the soil was a bit debris heavy so I kind of wanted to minimalize that. With the water in previously, it felt very hard to work in. Felt messy as well. Before then, I did thoroughly rinse it and watered it down, but didn’t exactly help my case.

 

Oh I’m not really married to the rocks hahahaha those are like $5 rocks I got from PetSmart I was considering looking at more rocks with character.

I’ll give it go! I’ll probably post pics once I mess with comp again.

and really? I felt like the soil was a bit debris heavy so I kind of wanted to minimalize that. With the water in previously, it felt very hard to work in. Felt messy as well. Before then, I did thoroughly rinse it and watered it down, but didn’t exactly help my case.

Ah, you're not supposed to rinse aquasoils. It just makes them break down faster. The problem with a cap is when you uproot plants, rearrange, etc soil and cap get mixed, some soil comes up, visually not very pleasing etc

 

Ah, you're not supposed to rinse aquasoils. It just makes them break down faster. The problem with a cap is when you uproot plants, rearrange, etc soil and cap get mixed, some soil comes up, visually not very pleasing etc

Ah, that makes a whole lot of sense. That’s pretty unfortunate. I really like the substrate but oh it’s a headache haha

hm. Would you think that a dark substrate might be fine? It won’t be as obvious when it intermingles. Or should I just get a new bag of aqua soil? (I’ll be spending $ either way so)

I recently just had a illness in this tank and I’m planning on disinfecting about everything but wasn’t sure about the substrate.

 

Ah, that makes a whole lot of sense. That’s pretty unfortunate. I really like the substrate but oh it’s a headache haha

hm. Would you think that a dark substrate might be fine? It won’t be as obvious when it intermingles. Or should I just get a new bag of aqua soil? (I’ll be spending $ either way so)

I recently just had a illness in this tank and I’m planning on disinfecting about everything but wasn’t sure about the substrate.

A dark cap could work. Are you just trying to build up the substrate volume?

You could slope the substate upwards from front to back. This will increase the illusion of depth of field and it will also provide more volume in the back where you plant bigger plants

I've never disinfected a tank before. Will you be taking everything including substrate out?

 

I like your idea of the big leaf anubias around a chunkier wood, then pack the rest with narrow/smaller leaf plants keep the rest of the scape "light".

What illness went down? I wonder if drying out organic substrate kills everything, for sure, so it's safe for future use.

 

A dark cap could work. Are you just trying to build up the substrate volume?

You could slope the substate upwards from front to back. This will increase the illusion of depth of field and it will also provide more volume in the back where you plant bigger plants

I've never disinfected a tank before. Will you be taking everything including substrate out?

I would love that honestly. I think I’ll be needing more substrate then haha but I guess that would work out
Any substrate recommendations?

and yes I’m planning on bleaching the tank, the filter, what have you. Then dry and dechlorinate. Planning on doing bleach dips with the plants going in to. I’m very paranoid now after what I went through lol

I like your idea of the big leaf anubias around a chunkier wood, then pack the rest with narrow/smaller leaf plants keep the rest of the scape "light".

What illness went down? I wonder if drying out organic substrate kills everything, for sure, so it's safe for future use.

Thanks! My anubias are super broad, I’m so excited to place them around the wood

that’s the thing, I have no idea. What I know is it was slow, and I hated every second of it. I’m guessing internal parasites. That’s my best guess.
I documented everything I went through if you’re interested:
I need more help please!! - updated | Betta Fish 446331

 

I shall read now! Thanks for sharing.

 

I would love that honestly. I think I’ll be needing more substrate then haha but I guess that would work out
Any substrate recommendations?

and yes I’m planning on bleaching the tank, the filter, what have you. Then dry and dechlorinate. Planning on doing bleach dips with the plants going in to. I’m very paranoid now after what I went through lol

If you're on a budget sand is a good cap, if you're looking for nutrients there are some more expensive aquasoils that lower KH and pH. If you like what you have you could also get more of that

 

If you're on a budget sand is a good cap, if you're looking for nutrients there are some more expensive aquasoils that lower KH and pH. If you like what you have you could also get more of that

Ah yeah I was considering a dark sand, or a gravel. Not rlly wanting more of the aquasoil haha I think I got enough. I really only have it to keep the plants happy. My anubias got huge because of it

I might go with a dark sand, seems busy to build up to create depth.

I'm glad you realized

I love frogbit it's my favorite floater i've had, it hates movement on the water it seems. You could try red root floaters, they look really pretty pfff I realized when typing

I totally see it

I love how frogbit looks! Same with red floaters. I’m so indecisive hahahaha it’s like IDK WHICH I WANT
I tend to buffer my filter and my air stones so haha I could go with frogbit
WHO KNOWS I don’t

 

Ah yeah I was considering a dark sand, or a gravel. Not rlly wanting more of the aquasoil haha I think I got enough. I really only have it to keep the plants happy. My anubias got huge because of it

I might go with a dark sand, seems busy to build up to create depth.


I love how frogbit looks! Same with red floaters. I’m so indecisive hahahaha it’s like IDK WHICH I WANT
I tend to buffer my filter and my air stones so haha I could go with frogbit
WHO KNOWS I don’t

You could do both

 

You could do both

oh my god YOURE RIGHT

 

ALRIGHT FELLAS im done with the assignments that are due tonight so im taking a little break from work so anyway

messing with the scape again, how about:


OR


ngl theyre very similar I just flipped the long wood around LOL but I’m liking it.

 

ALRIGHT FELLAS im done with the assignments that are due tonight so im taking a little break from work so anyway

messing with the scape again, how about:
View attachment 689968
OR
View attachment 689969
ngl theyre very similar I just flipped the long wood around LOL but I’m liking it.

The second one gets my vote

 

QUESTION why are rocks so EXPENSIVE

 

QUESTION why are rocks so EXPENSIVE

And wood
I think the answer is because we're insane enough to pay for them

 

And wood
I think the answer is because we're insane enough to pay for them

bro literally about to go into my backyard and find some rocks at this point istg

 

bro literally about to go into my backyard and find some rocks at this point istg

Okay update I went into my backyard and actually found some really nice rocks


They’re pretty grainy but no super rough edges so I think they’d work a betta, what you guys think??

 

QUICK TEST RUN HOW WE FEELING




im REALLY feeling this and I’m super happy with how it looks with the anubias!!! This is making me so excited I can’t wait to bleach EVERYTHING

 

So I said screw it
I found a nice glass rimless for $15 at petco

why disinfect your ugly tank if you can get a nicer one for $15???
gonna have to buy some substrate to cap my soil and disinfect my HOB still tho before I get too excited

 

okay so I’m going to mess with stuff tomorrow cause I went and cleaned my room so I’m too tired to mess w this tank tonight loool

but for the rock, that I got from my backyard, should I see if it messes with my pH at all and boil it to clean it?? never used anything from outside and I know people use rocks from outside and all so idk how I should go about it hilarious

 

How did I NOT see this thread?

Also dang 15$ nice catch!

 

How did I NOT see this thread?

Also dang 15$ nice catch!

Well welcome to my tank log, apparently! Lol

YEAH IKR? I was like SCREW IT, new tank. I rlly disliked my old one anyway cause it like rounded in the corners? Kinda ugly.
But I’ll probably use it, eventually since I have a boy in a 3 gal, but I think hes fine in there for awhile.

 

SO I finally got off my butt and placed the substrate in. Just using basic top fin black gravel that I rinsed a bit. Gonna buy some glue later tonight and maybe some of the plants and GONNA GET THIS THING ON THE ROAD


the gravel is still wet from the rinsing and I did not rinse the soil so uhhhh hope that’s fine.

 

im feeling this very much hahaha how we feeling?

 

I'm waiting for some animal crossing themes to randomly pop into your build

 

View attachment 696961
View attachment 696962
im feeling this very much hahaha how we feeling?

Really liking the hardscape! Good height factor. You could move the anubias to the back/attach them to the back of the hardscape since they are so large, but it looks good even if you don't.

 

Really liking the hardscape! Good height factor. You could move the anubias to the back/attach them to the back of the hardscape since they are so large, but it looks good even if you don't.

Thanks!!! Im loving it too! I was thinking about moving it in the back since it’s so huge lol I’ll probably end up doing that.
I’ll probably buy a baby anubias for that part.

I’m planning on planting java in the back too and bunching my plants around the hard scape, but I don’t want to leave the left naked. Any ideas?

 

Thanks!!! Im loving it too! I was thinking about moving it in the back since it’s so huge lol I’ll probably end up doing that.
I’ll probably buy a baby anubias for that part.

I’m planning on planting java in the back too and bunching my plants around the hard scape, but I don’t want to leave the left naked. Any ideas?

Some dwarf hair grass or crypt parva?

 

Some dwarf hair grass or crypt parva?

Oh yeah those could probably do well. Don’t have CO2 they’d be fine without it right?

 

I'm waiting for some animal crossing themes to randomly pop into your build

Hahaha that reminds me I JUST saw an AC terrarium build for a bug on Instagram. Very cute but I’m def not arts and crafty enough (I say, as an illustrator)

 

okay question about moss
i read somewhere you can cut up moss balls and stick them onto driftwood is this true cause if it is ill just do that instead of buying java moss LOL