Ghetto Beta tank.

[ustabefast]

On a lark a few weeks back, I bought a pretty 3 dollar Beta at the local Petco.
I put him in a half filled 5 gallon tank along with 3 male Endlers.
Filtration is a couple Pothos plants wedged in a fake log.
Maintenance consists of using a turkey baster to vacuum once a week and adding a gallon or so of water.

 

[OrionGirl]

How are you maintaining the temp?

I'm a fan of simple setups. I'd probably put down something just to avoid the bottom being so reflective, though...that always bugs me.

 

[ustabefast]

I have a heater set at 78 degrees. Yeah I should have painted the bottom of the tank a dark color like I did in my other unplanted tank.
I still have one high tech planted tank but I am simplifying the other 3.
No algae, no gravel vacs, no fertilizers, even no lights on this little beta tank.

 

[fishorama]

I surprised you betta isn't harassing your endlers. They must be fast or good hiders.

I, too, have seen fish get "fascinated" by their reflections on a bare bottom tank. Maybe that's helping you endlers? Or maybe the betta isn't full grown?

 

[ustabefast]

My fish are not bothered by the unpainted bottom.
The Endlers do have a rather uneasy relationship with the lady Betta. She will chase them on occasion when she is in a surly mood but I see no fin damage after several weeks so I keep them together.
Mostly she ignores them and even feed together at the surface.

 

[ustabefast]

Here is the bare bottom tank with the bottom painted.