Is there a really nice way to decorate a 2.5g betta tank?

AngeTheDude

AngeTheDude

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May 22, 2009
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I'm new to the fish hobby but Google has helped me through it all! A lot of great info came from this forum so I was like "ah, what the hell?" and registered.

I'm using an established 2.5 gallon tank my uncle kept his betta in for 3 years before it passed away. Now my betta "Lars Ulrich" (named after Metallica's selfish, but talented drummer!) lives in it happily. It has one live plant in it and a little castle that he loves. He sits on top of it sometimes during the day, like a king on a throne, and sleeps in the lower cave part of it at night!

Anyway, I am wondering if I should add a bunch of plastic plants or whatever to make it seem more natural looking. If you guys want pictures of Lars Ulrich's current home to get an idea, I'll be happy to oblige! Any pictures of really nice 2.5's would also be great!
 
You could make it planted. Have java fern and java moss, etc growing in it. And maybe give him another little "cave".
 
Well, this is actually a 5 gallon tank, but same idea.
P1060060.jpg
 
I'm a big fan of lots of plants- and with a little research you can find a number that are appropriate for lower light conditions.

Personally- I think it would be worth the investment to try upgrading to a 5 gallon. (or if you had the money and space a larger tank still and make him part of a community tank... get the biggest tank you can afford).

Fish are always more interesting when they have room to move around- plus he'll probably be happier with the extra room.

You can keep a Betta in a 2.5 gallon tank- but they're more interesting when they have more room to explore.


If you had a 5 gallon- you could get an apple snail (they grow big and poop a lot- so only one) to cohabitate with your Betta... lots of fantastic colours of apples available on here: red, yellow, jade, purple, magenta, blue, ivory, black... surely one to complement your Betta's colours!
 
driftwood would be cool (small piece of course)

you can also pick up some real or fake plants, real plants require research and a little more time and patience in their care.

maybe another little hut or small cave.

a nice plain black or blue background.
 
I really like this guy's setup:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91l-LV2Ts6M

Does it look good to you guys? I'm ready to rip off his design for ol' Lars' tank.

@Wycco: There is a 5 gallon here in my home but it is stocked to capacity at the moment. If it was empty, I would move him into it in a heartbeat. I'm the de facto caretaker of it as well, since no one else at my house knows/cares about fish!
 
Bettas are great with plants! I would get some Anubis and java fern. Mine likes to lay on the java fern at night- I think it is softer than the rocks for him. Bettas are a lot more interesting in larger tanks. I have mine in a 5 gallon but at one time I had one in a 10 and he had much more personalitly, so I am moving my Betta from the 5 and putting him in my 10 with tetras and plants. Very awesome! They love the room!!! :D
 
VivaLaVics said:
Bettas are great with plants! I would get some Anubis and java fern. Mine likes to lay on the java fern at night- I think it is softer than the rocks for him. Bettas are a lot more interesting in larger tanks. I have mine in a 5 gallon but at one time I had one in a 10 and he had much more personalitly, so I am moving my Betta from the 5 and putting him in my 10 with tetras and plants. Very awesome! They love the room!!! :D
Click to expand...

Gah, now I'm feeling so bad for him! I want to go find some plants. Maybe I'll run to PetSmart tomorrow. If they have what I need at the LFS, maybe I'll stop there first.

How are those plants you mentioned? Will I need to do a lot to maintain them? My bud at the LFS says that the plants are harder to keep than the fish sometimes.
 
I suggest doing research on what type of plants you want before buying any. If you want very easy to care for plants then here are some to check out:
Java fern
Java moss
Flame moss
Probably other mosses such as xmas moss, etc.
Anubias Nana
Anubias Nana Petite
Crypt. Wendtii

Many of these can grow without extra ferts or CO2, though they will grow faster and likely fuller with at least a CO2 system hooked up. CO2 will also lessen the likelihood of algae.

Some good places for research:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=3
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/
http://www.plantgeek.net/
 
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I just googled the Anubias and I actually have one in the tank already! It is way bigger now than when I first got it. I'll post a picture of my tank soon so everyone can have an idea of where I'm currently at.
 
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