As some of you know, my betta tank (1.5g Hex plastic) was starting to look pretty rough so I went searching for a new home. I learned that, for the most part, the tanks that stores sell for bettas are to say the least, sub par. I managed to find this 2.5 gallon glass tank, a glass top, a light, and a 5lb bag of marine black sand for $70. I love it. Honestly, it's probably one of the tanks that I am the most proud of.
Some downsides though:
The glass top fits the tank rim perfectly so I have to leave it partly open to allow for the air line to go to the pump. The air-powered pump is taller than I thought and I had to move the sand away from it's intake in an effort to stop it from sucking in sand. The sand is much different than pool filter sand, which is what I normally use. It needs to be mixed and rinsed thoroughly before use because it tends to float and air bubbles attach to it, making little clumps of sand float around the tank. It's been 2 days and there are still clumps all over the place.
On the upside:
The light being this close to the plants causes them to do very well. I watched today as tiny bubbles flowed from the cut stem of an anacharis. The leaves are also beading up with bubbles.
I am expecting my fluval co2 system to come in the mail within the next few days so I took the 2L DiY co2 off of the 16G bowfront and ran it into this tank with an air stone. Is this too much co2 for so small a tank? Here are some pictures:
I HATE THAT YOU CAN SEE MY KITCHEN IN THIS PIC.
THREW A TOWEL BEHIND THE TANK FOR BETTER PIC.
SEE THE AIR BUBBLES ATTACHED TO SAND? ALSO, AS YOU CAN SEE I HAVE DUCKWEED FLOATING AROUND.
HE'S CAMERA SHY. RAN AWAY TO HIS LITTLE POT.
Just an idea. Could I run the CO2 into the airline that powers the filter is it better the way it is now?
Here are some videos of the plants doing their thing:
[YT]-KqK_h1rO8M&hd=1[/YT]
[YT]YT-25UWkpu0&hd=1[/YT]
Some downsides though:
The glass top fits the tank rim perfectly so I have to leave it partly open to allow for the air line to go to the pump. The air-powered pump is taller than I thought and I had to move the sand away from it's intake in an effort to stop it from sucking in sand. The sand is much different than pool filter sand, which is what I normally use. It needs to be mixed and rinsed thoroughly before use because it tends to float and air bubbles attach to it, making little clumps of sand float around the tank. It's been 2 days and there are still clumps all over the place.
On the upside:
The light being this close to the plants causes them to do very well. I watched today as tiny bubbles flowed from the cut stem of an anacharis. The leaves are also beading up with bubbles.
I am expecting my fluval co2 system to come in the mail within the next few days so I took the 2L DiY co2 off of the 16G bowfront and ran it into this tank with an air stone. Is this too much co2 for so small a tank? Here are some pictures:
I HATE THAT YOU CAN SEE MY KITCHEN IN THIS PIC.
THREW A TOWEL BEHIND THE TANK FOR BETTER PIC.
SEE THE AIR BUBBLES ATTACHED TO SAND? ALSO, AS YOU CAN SEE I HAVE DUCKWEED FLOATING AROUND.
HE'S CAMERA SHY. RAN AWAY TO HIS LITTLE POT.
Just an idea. Could I run the CO2 into the airline that powers the filter is it better the way it is now?
Here are some videos of the plants doing their thing:
[YT]-KqK_h1rO8M&hd=1[/YT]
[YT]YT-25UWkpu0&hd=1[/YT]