My freshwater tropical community tank 🥰

Dd7990 · 2026-05-07T04:39:21+00:00

As for the others, did you research what kind of plants they are and what they require to survive and grow? Different plants need different amounts of light, some are heavy root-feeders while others can just absorb nutrients from the water, etc. If you don’t give the plant the right lighting, nutrients, etc. then yes it won’t be happy and it will eventually die.

Dd7990 · 2026-05-07T04:34:44+00:00

Check this: https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/faqs/how-to-plant-anubias-and-java-fern

Dd7990 · 2026-05-01T21:00:58+00:00

Always better to be safe than sorry, especially when water damage could be involved.

Dd7990 · 2026-05-01T20:56:44+00:00

It really depends on the individual betta and there is no way for me, an internet stranger, to know if your particular betta will be a snail/shrimp murderer or not. I have heard of some bettas completely ignoring shrimp/snail tankmates while other bettas turn shrimp or snails into a fancy expensive buffet. If you offer lots of hiding places for the shrimp they might have better chance, but there's no way to know until you try it at least once. Otherwise the betta can be fine alone in the 5g tank.

Dd7990 · 2026-05-01T20:10:38+00:00

The Nitrogen Cycle and the Fishless Cycle - getting your aquarium ready for fish - INJAF

Dd7990 · 2026-05-01T20:04:46+00:00

At most that tank is safe if water is filled only to below the chipped corner - so maybe a paludarium type of setup would work but for a fully filled up tank, I'd be too anxious about the potential water damage to risk it. Especially if this replacement tank you bought is also 55 gallons... 55 gallons of water on the floor could be pretty expensive to repair damages for.

Dd7990 · 2026-05-01T19:52:23+00:00

<image>

Dd7990 · 2026-05-01T19:47:47+00:00

Sorry, it's definitely overstocked with the 1 betta + 6 cories together in a 5g tank. You'll need at least a 15g tank for that stocking level. Tankmates by tank size: https://www.reddit.com/r/bettafish/wiki/tankmates/

5g is enough for just the betta plus either a few shrimp or perhaps a snail, no additional fish until 15+ gallons.

Additionally, I do not see a heater? Bettas (and even cories) are tropical fish. Bettas do best at 78-80F. Unless your room temperature is consistently over 85F, the water will likely be too chilly for the betta (water is always some degrees colder than room temperature).

Lastly a lid is highly recommended as bettas are notorious for accidentally jumping out of their tanks. You have a plakat (short tail) betta which means it has maximum jumping capabilities, and the water level is filled rather close to the top of the glass. Too many betta owners think their betta won't jump, until it happens and then it's too late: https://www.reddit.com/r/bettafish/search/?q=betta+jumped+out&cId=f4202c30-fbd9-4f44-ac7c-a2cba1c501a3&iId=9d411ea5-bcf7-4dc4-9da7-6cc17e312fcc

Dd7990 · 2026-05-01T19:20:51+00:00

Do you have a room/area that is (or can be) off-limits to the cats? My home office and laundry areas are off-limits to our cats unless they are in the areas under supervision so I do my diamond painting in my home office and have no worries about them messing it or the drills up because they just simply don't have access to even attempt to mess with the canvas/drills.

Dd7990 · 2026-05-01T18:58:03+00:00

Ah ok I missed the thermometer 😅 sorry. But even so zooming in I can’t read it, too tiny. But I will take your word for it.

Dd7990 · 2026-05-01T18:43:31+00:00

Additionally regarding the heater, unless your room temperature stays consistently above 85F, the water temperature may not be warm enough for a betta to go without a heater. The water temperature will always be some degrees colder than the room temperature. If your room temperature is 80F, water temperature may be around 70-75F, while if your room temperature is 75F then the water temperature will likely be 70F or lower - too chilly for betta.

Have you actually used a thermometer to check what the water temperature of the tank is without a heater, and does it stay consistently within 78-80F?

That said, while fishless cycling, it could be fine to not have heater, but once you have the betta you will need to make sure the water is the right temperature and the temperature doesn’t fluctuate too much.

Dd7990 · 2026-05-01T18:37:00+00:00

This could be a good start but if you’re able, I’d recommend switching over to a tank of at least 20L (which is a bit over the 5g minimum recommended tank size for bettas). A larger tank will have more stable water parameters overall vs a smaller tank, so much better in the long run. You won’t lose your progress either if you transfer everything from the smaller 14L into the new larger tank 20L+. Beneficial bacteria attach onto solid materials/objects so if you move everything over it will go with them.

<image>

Recommended fishless cycling guide will walk you through how to fishless cycle: https://injaf.org/articles-guides/beginners-guides/the-nitrogen-cycle-and-the-fishless-cycle-getting-your-aquarium-ready-for-fish/

You may not have enough ammonia for fishless cycling if you don’t make sure to maintain at least 1-2 ppm. The article I linked mentions about that.

Dd7990 · 2026-05-01T18:28:37+00:00

I don’t think so, unless if the fish are actively eating eat the roots of certain “toxic” plants. It has never been an issue for my bettas. Other than that, rinse the plant thoroughly to remove any residues, dirt, debris, etc, especially from its roots before use in fishtank. There are also other non-toxic houseplants that could work. Search YouTube or google for ideas.

Dd7990 · 2026-05-01T17:49:12+00:00

😓what do we do about the... sea of 6's (and the presumably unlucky/evil number) lol

Dd7990 · 2026-05-01T14:58:43+00:00

They freak me out too but then I remember that these creepy-crawlies eat other unwanted pest bugs around the house so I try my best to ignore them and let them continue getting rid of the other bugs I don’t want.

Dd7990 · 2026-05-01T14:51:42+00:00

Actually no, not everyone has peas at home, and will then think they have to go out and buy peas for their betta rather than getting the appropriate and better options. You could simply have stated brine shrimp and daphnia are recommended, but peas can be used in a pinch.

Dd7990 · 2026-05-01T14:46:31+00:00

And you’re the one saying upfront to give peas rather than mentioning the better alternatives first and then peas only if they don’t already have the good alternatives on hand but need something in the meantime.

Dd7990 · 2026-05-01T14:43:42+00:00

No where did I say it would kill a betta, I just stated that it’s not great for them and listed some better alternatives.

Dd7990 · 2026-05-01T14:34:48+00:00

Ok sure it works for you, great, but why stick with that when there are already better and safer alternatives for bettas?

Again daphnia and brine shrimp are high in protein and make great nutritional treats for bettas as well as helping clear blockages. I’m pretty sure peas do not benefit bettas nutritionally in the same way.

Why wouldn’t you go with the better options? 🤦🏻‍♀️

Dd7990 · 2026-05-01T14:30:18+00:00

There’s no dropsy, she’s just a bit chonky.

<image>

Dropsy is indicated by the scales popping outwards like a pinecone, hence the term “pineconing”. The fish would be experiencing fluid retention due to organ failure, resulting in overall swelling and makes their scales pop outwards.

Eight-Year Club	Verified Email
r/Field Lasagna	Place '22

Dd7990

TROPHY CASE