Ok friends, I'm cautiously looking to get plants for betta's benefit...

I think he would love having real plants instead of artificial, he could rest on them, and I wouldn't need to be concerned about possible torn fins.

It has felt complicated, and a little overwhelming, to add an additional "lifeform" into the tank that I also need to learn all how to keep alive and happy. But I've been reading a lot about it, and it sounds like if I choose wisely and do a little bit of weekly maintenance maybe it will go smoothly. My biggest concern is doing something wrong with the plants and it inadvertently hurting my betta. But I don't seem to be hearing about that as I've been learning.

I'm thinking of going with anubias due to it being a fairly easy plant to keep and I think my betta would enjoy swimming/resting in it. But am not sure which type. Since I've learned so much on YouTube channel I'm likely going to order plants from their
They offer:
Nana "petite"
Golden
Gold Coin
Nana
Coffeeolia

I'm leaning towards Gold Coin as the leaves look like the perfect side for a betta nap. But I'm totally open to suggestions!

Will my tank set up work for the plants?
My betta is currently in a 5 gallon but I've slowly been accumulating everything I need to get a 10 gallon up and cycled to move him (and his nerite roommate) over. I'll get plants once the 10 gallon is ready. It will be a sponge filter, heated, with gravel.

This will be the light on the 10 gallon:


It comes with one light with space for a 2nd, but I was planning to keep it at one since bettas prefer lower light. Will that be enough for anubias? You can also get lights that are white/red (Colormax), blue (BlueMax), or red/green/blue (Beauty Max) but these seem to be simply for asthetics and not necessarily for plants.

He has a video showing how you can glue (with a very specific glue) anubias to a large rock, and that he prefers that method to tying it, so I think I will do that.

Java fern also seems like it would be a good option. I'm definitely planning to get a couple of Marimo moss balls, since they seem to be incredibly easy.

What are your thoughts? I've read that plants and fish meds don't work too well so would I need to move my fish out if he needed meds? (I know normally you would quarantine but since it's just him normally I wouldn't.)

Any words of warnings? Encouragements? Tell me about your plant journey!

 

Sounds like you've got a plan! Java fern, anubias, and moss balls are all low light plants and should be easy to care for. Make sure to flip the moss balls often or else they will go brown.
Bettas love to cruise around in duckweed so maybe think about adding this in the future. Beware through, it grows very fast and is very hard to get rid of.
Meds shouldn't effect hardy plants like java fern and moss balls but I am not sure about the anubias.

 

You could probably get away with that light with Anubias and Java ferns. Moss balls will work too.

If you keep up on weekly water changes chances are good of not needing meds for anything. Clean water clean tank.

I use a "all in one" liquid fertilizer. Easy Green all in one and Thrive C is also a popular choice. (I use this one) One squirt in a 5g 2 in a 10g at water change easy peasy. plants don't need to be hard. There are higher light plants that need a better light and CO2 etc. If you want easy just stray from those types.

 

Looks like you have a good plan. Trial and error. Worst case scenario..you toss out a couple of plants if they won't work out.
The only floater I am able to grow is Dwarf Lettuce, and it diffuses the light very nice. Both Bettas hang out between the roots.

 

The female betta in my 40 gallon community community tank likes to rest in the crowns of the water wisteria, in case you consider stem plants at some point.

 

Thank you for the replies! Anyone have opinions on which anubias my betta would enjoy most?

Make sure to flip the moss balls often or else they will go brown.
Bettas love to cruise around in duckweed so maybe think about adding this in the future. Beware through, it grows very fast and is very hard to get rid of.

Thank you, yes, Cory says to give moss balls "a little kick" about once a week for that reason. I do appreciate you telling me though in case I hadn't heard!

I've seen duck weed and it looks cool, but it does seem like a runaway train. Sounds like I might end up with some anyway. duckweed or tiny snails often end up in with the plants they ship out.

You could probably get away with that light with Anubias and Java ferns. Moss balls will work too.

If you keep up on weekly water changes chances are good of not needing meds for anything. Clean water clean tank.

I use a "all in one" liquid fertilizer. Easy Green all in one and Thrive C is also a popular choice. (I use this one) One squirt in a 5g 2 in a 10g at water change easy peasy. plants don't need to be hard. There are higher light plants that need a better light and CO2 etc. If you want easy just stray from those types.

That's good to hear my light is probably ok.

Aren't weekly water changes amazing? Once it finally clicked with me and I started doing them faithfully I've been a model fish keeper. It really is the magic wand of this hobby.

It's good to hear you like Easy Green as well. I was planning to get it when I ordered the plants.

 

Thank you for the replies! Anyone have opinions on which anubias my betta would enjoy most?

Probably one with bigger leaves.

 

Corey has a LOT of good info.

Java fern, anubias and moss balls are all good low light options.
Broader, larger leaves are better for betta to use as a hammock. Of the given types, the largest leafed types are coffeefolia and gold coin. Now you won't find them on aquarium co op at the moment but hastifolia is another great large leafed anubias.

 

I have Anubias Nana Petite, moss balls and Amazon frogbit in my 5 gal Betta tank. My Betta loves the shade that the frogbit provides! I tried keeping red root floaters and he also loved to swim through the hanging roots but they didn’t fair too well for some reason. I also use the all in one fert, I wish they had a rewards program because I spend way too much on their site They’re great!

 

I have water spangles in my tanks instead of duckweed. It is easy to grow, has larger leaves and roots and is easy to get rid of down the line if you decide you don’t like it.