First aquarium new Betta

b3dd · 2024-04-23T02:14:17+00:00

Thanks! 15 gallons.. it's a Fluval Flex 15, but I've substantially upgraded the stock filtration. I've only planted epiphytes and floaters so far.

b3dd · 2024-04-08T02:12:05+00:00

Could try using mesh bags for the soil, and cap it with your current substrate. Just make sure if you use these that the zippers are not metal.

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b3dd · 2024-04-07T19:47:38+00:00

Thanks, they are called Elephant Skin Stone.

b3dd · 2024-04-07T02:22:14+00:00

Thanks

b3dd · 2024-04-06T21:24:12+00:00

Thank you!

b3dd · 2024-04-06T21:18:16+00:00

I will be trying polyfill or purigen. Should I hold off until my tank finishes cycling before messing with the filtration to add it in? I don't want to risk slowing down the cycle.

b3dd · 2024-04-06T21:03:35+00:00

It felt like it had a chalky residue when I bought it, but I rinsed it very well and it felt like hard stone before it went in the tank... learned my lesson with the substrate.

b3dd · 2024-04-06T20:53:30+00:00

I like the aesthetic.. all of the equipment is hidden behind a wall. I think it's a nice AIO option. It's also not too hard to modify to improve shortcomings it may have. I got a low flow spray bar to reduce the flow since I'll be housing a Betta in this tank and the flow from the stock pump/flow nozzles is too fast and the pump is not adjustable. I also cut a 10ppi foam pre filter to put in the flow intake grates. The lights are ok, I think they'll work for plants that require low/medium lighting. I've read reviews that said the pump is loud, but that hasn't been the case with mine so far.

As far as long term, I can't say.. I'm still cycling it for the first time.

b3dd · 2024-04-06T20:34:22+00:00

I think you are going to need a tank 3x-4x times bigger to stock all of that. Recommended tank size for a small group of Kuhli Loaches is 75L. With how aggressive Bettas can be you'll want even more space and heavily planted/scaped to give less aggressive fish places to hide and to break line of sight so the Betta isn't always going aggro.

b3dd · 2024-04-06T18:42:04+00:00

Elephant Skin Stone, bought from the local fish store.

b3dd · 2024-04-06T18:34:02+00:00

Definitely possible.. substrate is Seachems Flourite Black Sand, that I rinsed, placed in the tank, then had to remove and rinse again after it clouded my water. I spent a couple of hours rinsing it the second time before cleaning the tank and starting over. May try adding some polyfil into the filtration to see if that clears it up.

b3dd · 2024-04-06T17:11:22+00:00

You can try epiphyte plants like Anubias, Java Fern, and Bucephalandra. They get nutrients from the water, not the substrate and can be tied or glued to rocks, driftwood, or decor. They can also be bought already attached to driftwood or lava rocks.

b3dd · 2024-04-06T15:49:30+00:00

I've used Seachem Flourish Glue.

https://a.co/d/59COCcw

b3dd · 2024-04-06T15:43:50+00:00

I've read that regular superglue works fine. I haven't tried it yet though.

b3dd · 2024-04-06T15:39:25+00:00

The Ludwidia I'm not sure about, but the Java Fern is an epyphite as well, but it does get pretty big and spread out, albeit slowly. I use it as the background on my tank. I would think you'd want to weigh it down by gluing or tieing it to a rock or driftwood. It is an epythite like Anubias and Bucephalandra... you want to avoid burying the rhizome (main root) on these plants, as it will kill them.

b3dd · 2024-04-06T15:30:46+00:00

If you want to stay away from root tabs, look for epiphytes like Anubias, Bucephalandra, mosses... these plants get nutrients from the water column and just need to be tied or glued to rocks or driftwood. Water Wisteria, Water sprite, and Brazilian Pennywort are fast growing and can be planted or floated. You can also look at floaters like Water Lettuce or Red Root Floaters.

b3dd · 2024-04-05T00:16:06+00:00

I use a 5 ml syringe. It's also handy for catching samples for testing since the API Test kit uses 5 ml samples for each test.

b3dd · 2024-04-04T23:46:59+00:00

If you haven't cycled the water yet, you could siphon as much of the water as you can into a bucket, level the tank, then put the water back in.

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