Betta tank questions

Thank you all, again!

Vitara does have two little marbles in her tank. She used to love looking at them, but I haven't seen her do it recently. Maybe I'll try some new, different colored marbles.

So java fern or java moss? Is that available at like, Petsmart? And is it okay to purchase it there? Anything else I need to know about adding live plants to the tank? Do I do anything to them first or just put them in? And how much light do they need to sustain them a day?

Thanks so much for all your help! :)
 
No problem, we're glad to help out! :)

Either java moss, or java fern would work. I believe Petsmart would carry java moss. Just make sure the scientific name listed is Vesicularia Dubyana as some stores sell moss which looks very similar to java moss, but isn't, and isn't meant to be grown under water.

Java moss is fine with tiny leaves, and if it's healthy, there shouldn't be any brown visible. You can read here for more info on java moss.

As for lighting -- Typical tank lighting should be fine. I even know some people who have it growing like a weed with nothing more than the light that comes through a near by window.

Oh, and I forgot to mention. You may want to pick up some plant weights to keep the java moss at the bottom of the tank until it's able to root. Otherwise, weigh the moss down with a couple river rocks.
 
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I'll try to get over to Petsmart soon to get those plants, then. :) I do have some river rocks, so I'll attempt to use those first. Last night I was thinking... Maybe I'll get a 5 gallon with a divider, then put Vitara in one side, and my friend's betta in the other. If they'll surrender him.

:bowing: "Please, you know he'll be happy with me!" LOL

I just need to measure the 5 gallon tanks while I'm at Petsmart, too. See if they'll fit on the dresser Vitara's on now. *crosses fingers*

Also was gonna ask about snails... What kind of little snail would be a good addition to a 2.5? And, since they can reproduce all by themselves (correct?), what do you do if you end up with LOTS of little snails? I'd have 2 tanks, at least, that could use a snail or two (hopefully three, if I'm able to get a 5 and divide it). But what after that?
 
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Snails

That is a pretty betta girl you've got there.

Here's one site with information on snails:
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You'll have to scroll down a bit to get to the snail part. Most pet stores will have the "mystery snails" for about $2 each. They are supposed to be good clean-up crew and shouldn't hurt your plants (if you get some). I keep meaning to pick up a mystery snail for my 2.5g betta tank! Yes, I'm passing on advice without having tested it myself first...

Edit: about the too many snails bit, I've read that the mystery snails lay eggs out of water so it's easy to scoop them out when you don't want more...any confirmations on that one?

You might want to go to AquaBid to get a feel for different kinds of plants that might work for your setup.
As I recall, Petsmart usually sells all of their rooted aquatic plants for $4, and bunches of stem plants (like Elodea aka Anacharis) for $2. Some of the plants they carry might have a higher light requirement so before you buy, look at as many pictures online and match things up. Cryptocorynes can be fussy, but they are nice low growing low light plants. I've read of them being difficult, mine haven't proven so. Here's some Crypt information and pictures.

Good luck making that girl happy :)
 
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A golden or black mystery snail would work in 2.5. I have a divided 5 gallon hex, with a snail and a betta on each side. So far, everyone is happy. An apple or ramshorn snail might also work.
 
The site you gave about snails says they usually don't have a problem with the snails that are a bit larger reproducing like that. I guess I'll hope for the best, and await any answers about removing eggs.

I never thought of little green plants as being particularly attractive, but while browsing around the Crypts site, I came across Myrio Filigree , and I love the look of that one! I wonder what the odds of Petmart carrying it are... I'm going to have to continue researching Crypts, though, as I've run across a problem with lighting.

My friend just happens to have a 5 gal. tank she's letting me buy off her! I'm elated to get it, but it comes with nothing... The top is half screen, half glass, too, so I don't know how I'd fit a lighthood to it, even if I can find one!

Brookelyn- Where did you get your divider for your 5 gal. tank, and do you remember how much it cost? I've been looking all over online, and the one I found was upwards of $10. I'll check at Petsmart for that, too.

If worst comes to worst, I can probably place the light over one half of the tank for the plants, theoretically, right?

I'll still have to price the 5 gal.s at Petsmart, if they carry them, as I'm wondering if getting a full setup, designed for fish, will be a better deal in the end- rather than buying a tank for "cheaper" that's half there!
 
Hi Rava,

Each Petsmart seems to carry its own variety of plants, some being much better stocked than others. One nearby carries almost nothing and all of it is algae infested. Another which is a bit of a drive out has a much wider variety, and is much healthier too. I hope you get lucky with the one near you!

As for the Myrio Filigree plant, I agree that it is quite pretty, but it seems to have a pretty high light requirement. Of course, the good thing about a little tank like a 2.5 or 5 gallon is that everything is much closer to the light in the first place -- the light doesn't have to go through two feet of water before reaching the plants.

I wouldn't expect the Petsmart to carry much more than Elodea densa (anacharis), some amazon sword plants and if you are lucky some vallisneria and dwarf lilies (which I particularly like).

It should be noted that there is a difference between the ideal lighting situation for any given plant and the lighting under which it can survive. My 18g tank is a very low light tank and I have plenty of medium-high light requirement plants that are fine, they just grow very slowly.

Additionally, your lighting situation could be cheaply remedied by a trip to Home Depot or other all purpose home repair type store. You might find an appropriate sized flourescent fixture for a fraction of the average pet store price.

Let us know how this all turns out! Judging by your dedication, you're going to have some very happy bettas at the end of this :)
 
My Petsmart should have a fair variety of healthy plants... I've looked once (glanced often, since their betta cups sit atop the plant container thing). I don't know if they will have what I want, but we'll see! Someone recommended anacharis a long time ago to me... Is that a good second choice if I can't get java anything? I'll probably need Plan B suggestions in case they don't have what I originally go for!

Now about going to Home Depot for the light situation... A store like that wouldn't carry a full on hood though, right? Methinks I need a hood for the light, correct?

I'm so excited to get all this done! I can't wait to get home from vacation and set to work. :) I volunteered to take my friend's betta, and offered her my 2.5 gal. when I upgrade if she DID want to keep him. She said she's been looking for a larger tank, but Lord knows she can't afford where she would be looking. So we'll see... :rolleyes: If she's able to get him a bigger tank or borrow mine, I'm perfectly happy leaving the betta with her. She'll take good care of him. I just might have to get another of my own, or start exploring other fishie options for a 5 gal. :D Ohh the possibilities... :D

Thanks so much for your help!
 
How big's the tank and does it already have a cover? I wouldn't worry about getting some complicated hood if your plants are easy going. I would think (I don't know as I haven't done it - someone with more experience can correct me) in a 2 gallon (and even in some bigger tanks) plants like Java moss, Java fern, and duckweed would be okay if you got a flourescent lamp to put over it.
 
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I'm getting a 5 gallon, which is where the plants will go... And if I get the 5 gal. I'm planning to, it doesn't have a hood.
 
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