My Betta Albimarginata Tank

[ghostno]

Hopefully this tank goes to plan lol, it’s a 5 gallon that’s recycling (it was a bare bottom storage tank for shrimp.)

Plants are hopefully coming on Oct 27-29, I’m gonna get a lid soon (trying to DIY)

Building the lid right now, honestly don't know how Im going to run the cables/tubing from the heater/air pump through the lid while also being betta proof

 

[SheepAquatics]

I always thought people would use a simple hand glass cutter. You could cut a little hole on the edge for the cables/tubing. Assuming its a glass lid.

 

[ghostno]

I always thought people would use a simple hand glass cutter. You could cut a little hole on the edge for the cables/tubing. Assuming its a glass lid.

I plan to make it out of mesh so that the bettas have better air flow

Also so I can sneak things in without opening the lid (kinda)

 

[SheepAquatics]

I plan to make it out of mesh so that the bettas have better air flow

Also so I can sneak things in without opening the lid (kinda)

That works and will hopefully keep any fish from jumping. I didnt know air flow from a lid was ever an issue? I have never heard that.

 

[ghostno]

I figured it out, I cut holes into the mesh screen then ran my wires and what not through. Finally I topped the big holes will a piece of sponge

Now there no gaps (cross my fingers) that a betta could jump through

That works and will hopefully keep any fish from jumping. I didnt know air flow from a lid was ever an issue? I have never heard that.

I’m gonna grow frogbit, and if the evaporated water can’t escape it’ll condense and fall onto the frog bit, which the plant won’t like

 

[ghostno]

I am struggling to test the water lol, this is my first tanning heavy tank so I’m not really used to it. Can anyone tell what PH/ammonia level this is?

First pic is base water color
Second is PH
Thrid is ammonia level

 

[NoRoom4Shoebox]

Can you take a picture with the ph test bottle standing or laying down up in front of the ph test card , making sure that there is plenty of light in the room that the card is white in the white areas.

 

[ghostno]

Can you take a picture with the ph test bottle standing or laying down up in front of the ph test card , making sure that there is plenty of light in the room that the card is white in the white areas.

First one is Ph and ammonia, second one is just base water color

 

[Cyberfish]

Looks like Ph is 6.6 and ammonia is 0.5

Generally tannins don't effect the readings too much

 

[ghostno]

Looks like Ph is 6.6 and ammonia is 0.5

Generally tannins don't effect the readings too much

Ah, ok. It just looked darker to me, thank you for the help btw


First creature (other than snails) once cycles to start with some bio load will be some culled shrimp, after the bettas are added; hopefully we can get them out before the bettas get to them, but its survival of the fittest.

 

[Cyberfish]

Albimarginata probably won't eat shrimp (neocardinia/cherry I assume), so they'll probably do fine with the bettas actually

 

[ghostno]

Been a while lol, tank is fully cycled now (I think at least) nitrates can be found and there’s no ammonia so that’s pretty good

Also the shrimps are in there

wondering if I should order the fish now or hold off and wait just a little longer, if I did they would come in a week anyway…

 

[ghostno]

I've decided to order the pair of B. Albimarginata from BWaquatics. Hopefully should arrive by November 13-14. First time receiving shipped fish, gotten shrimp before though.

They cost a pretty penny thats for sure.... Now it’s the waiting a praying game, just gotta keep the daphnia colonies booming.

 

[Cyberfish]

I've gotten stuff from BWAquatics before. They are very good, and if you have any questions the customer service is also great. Never had anything sick or DOA.

(And no, they did not pay me lol)