Bettas and plants

I now only have a male betta (inari) I'm going to get him a 5 gallon next weekend when I get paid ;D but I was also wondering if he would like plants, snails, and maybe some one else to keep him company he has been very depressed since TenshI died what if anything could live with him in a 5 Gal or would I need something bigger and how much do the small snails add to the bio load?


I know this is more than just plants and bettas, sorry, but i'm wondering


thanx

brent

 

Cories would probably overstock a tank that size. Otos are very sensitive to nitrates but if you could do extra water changes (more than weekly) and keep the water really clean they might work.
He would love having some real plants--get some with big leaves that he can rest on at the surface.
How much bio load a snail adds depends on the size. Some are tiny and some get really big.
If you could get a 10 gallon that would be better if you want to get any catfish with him. Be sure to add the Betta last to the tank.

 

ok well this is a dumb question I know but why would I add InarI last to the tank? (InarI is my male betta) how big to otos get? and could u name some plants that he would like with the broad leaves? what Kinda of snails would be ok and catfish I didn't even think of them...

I know a lot of questions

thanx for your patence with me

 

From what I've learned on this forum you add the betta last to the tank because then he feels like he is going into someone else's home rather than feeling like others are invading his. The adjustment is apparently a lot smoother that way.

 

Inari's situation is really different than the normal one and in his case he needs to go into the tank when you get it. He has been in an unfiltered, unheated tank for too long already. Is there anyway you can get some Bio-spira and put it in the tank so it will be cycled instantly for him? I can give you a place to order it if you can order things online. (see below) Also please get a heater with an adjustable thermostat and set it at 80 degrees (5 gallons need 25 watt heater or at the most 50 watt) Get a submersible on that can go all the way into the water if you can instead of the kind that hang on the side of the tank. I know they cost a couple of dollars more but they last a lot longer.



On the Bio-Spira, be sure to get the Freshwater version if you get it and be sure to shake it up good before you add it to the tank so all the good stuff is mixed up in it good before you dump it in. This will make the aquarium safe for him right away instead of 4 to 6 weeks from now.

I do hope this has helped. and I am so sorry about TenshI I am sure that InarI does miss her even though they were seperated.

Rose
:'(

 

Chickadee, I noticed that the Bio Spira on the like you gave is $18.99. I found Bio Spira on another site for $8.99. I think It's the same one - maybe it's smaller (not sure), but it's definitely cheaper :-



Gwenz

 

thank you for the websites both of you I will probly get the smaller amount especially since about 1 oz treats a 30 gal I only need enough to treat 10 gal

thanx both of you

brent

PS where can I find good hardy plants to put in with InarI and would u suggest snails?

 

Well if one ounce treats 30 gallons and you are going into a 10 gallon then it is 2 teaspoons of the stuff. I used the whole 3 ounce bag in my 5 gallon. It worked. The site I gave you for the Bio-Spira is actually a site called: they have great plants but they are expensive. The very best plants in my aquarium came from Off-ice (one of our forum members) He does occasionally advertise plants for sale under the Buy & Sell & Swap Section of the Forum. There is a site about aquarium plants that will help you choose some that are right for you They have a lot of folks there who are just full of plant information.

Rose

 

alright thanx what is the website of his?

 

alright thanx what is the website of his?

You mean Off-ice?  He is on the site at .  I believe he is the site Administrator.

Rose

 

HI All,

Currently my tank has quite a bit of swimming space for Aadyn James. Its 10 gallons, by the way. I bought a few more plants tonight at Petland (had a coupon burning a hole in my pocket!) and am wondering how heavily planted they prefer there tanks? I bought three and will add at least one. I'm also going to add my bubble wand which I purchased at the start of this tank but never incorporated into it. This should be a fun addition for Aadyn James, I think.

Thanks!

 

Good luck with your new tank! I kept my betta tanks pretty heavily planted. They love exploring the tank and laying on the leaves. I think the best thing to do would be to post a pic of the tank so that we can see it and give you feedback

 

Okay here is a pic of the tank ...

I have since added a background and the heater was moved to be near the filter and angled to improve temperature consistency throughout the tank.

 

you can definitely add some more plants to that, i'd say maybe some short foreground plants and maybe another small decoration or something like that. my bettas love having lots of plants to play around in, whenever I can I try to add something new to the tank for them

 

Cute tank I agree a few more plants would look good.

 

Betta's come from waters that are naturally thick with plants and decaying plants. I also just like the jungle kinda look with my tanks.

 

Very nice! The more plants the better! Add away!

 

I personally really like the look of a heavily planted tank, and betta's like lots of plants too. The nice soft wide leaved ones they like to rest on. I question the bubble wand. I have been under the impression that betta's don't like a lot of water disturbance. I have the air flow in my betta tank really slow, very few bubbles, but Blaze does like to swim through them. Maybe somebody more experienced can address this, please?

 

Some Betta's like to play in the bubbles. There a a few members here have them and their betta's really like them.

 

My Bettas have Anubias, Java Fern, and Java Moss in their tank...and lots of it. They love it.

Just make sure you leave plenty of surface area for them to access the air easily. Other than that, you can pretty much stuff the tank full of plants...they love to play in them and the plants provide nice resting places.

 

I want to throw in one comment. Watch your betta's tail for the first couple of days after you put the bubble wand in. I had one betta that loved it and played in it all day but his tail got really torn up by it and so I took it out. I had another though that played in it all the time and his tail was perfect. Just keep an eye on him!!!! Your tank looks really nice!

 

Indeed, they do seem to be different in personality as to what they mind and don't mind.

However, I've yet to hear of a betta that doesn't thoroughly love exploring things; and swimming through and around and in and out of things! lol My opinion lies with everyone else's here, on the aspect of plants. They are nosely little creatures that love to explore nooks and crannies (which can sometimes get them into trouble).