Yesterday I purchased an Amazon Sword from my LFS to go in my betta breeding tank. This is my first ever live aquatic plant. What do I need to do? I do not have a canopy as it is a 5½ gallon and the LFS didn't have one for that size, but it is in direct sunlight. What do I need to buy for this plant to keep it healthy. Does my plant act as a "filter"? My 5 gallon only has an aerator at the moment. I heard something about CO2, do I need to buy this? What about aquatic plant fertilizer/food?
New Amazon Sword... Now What?
- Thread starter powellmacaque
- Start date
Depending on the variety of Sword, it will probably quickly out-grow that 5.5gal. in a hurry.
But that's the least of your problem. Have you had this tank in direct sunlight long?
Aquariums tend not to do well under direct sunlight. They over heat(especially a 5.5) easily in that environment, and the quantity of light received is not very stable unless you can control the amount of it with window shades or similar.
The other problem with uncontrolled lighting is algae.
I suggest you move the tank to an area that is not in direct sunlight and pick up a hood that can give you 10 - 20 watts. of CF(compact fluorescent) lighting. Go with the lower wattage if you only intend to keep the sword in there and the higher if you intend to add more plants.
I have pulled Amazon Swords out of my 55's because they out-grew and took over tanks of that size. Imagine how problematic trying to keep one in a 5.5 will be. They get very large.
What do you intend to breed? Water temp. will play a big part in that aspect of what you are trying to accomplish as well.
Len
But that's the least of your problem. Have you had this tank in direct sunlight long?
Aquariums tend not to do well under direct sunlight. They over heat(especially a 5.5) easily in that environment, and the quantity of light received is not very stable unless you can control the amount of it with window shades or similar.
The other problem with uncontrolled lighting is algae.
I suggest you move the tank to an area that is not in direct sunlight and pick up a hood that can give you 10 - 20 watts. of CF(compact fluorescent) lighting. Go with the lower wattage if you only intend to keep the sword in there and the higher if you intend to add more plants.
I have pulled Amazon Swords out of my 55's because they out-grew and took over tanks of that size. Imagine how problematic trying to keep one in a 5.5 will be. They get very large.
What do you intend to breed? Water temp. will play a big part in that aspect of what you are trying to accomplish as well.
Len
I'm in the process of breeding bettas... I read in a lot of places that bettas can breed in 67º-82º, and my tank is in the 72-76 range constantly. I can block the sunlight via window shades, it is in front of a sliding glass door. Until I can work up the money for a canopy, a lamp near the tank suffice?