I want to plant my 2.5g betta tank.

jamesR · 08-20-2006, 11:46 PM

I'm not quite sure where to begin with this one. I have the lightstrip for this size tank and a 15w bulb, which(I may be crazy) is a ton of light. This is the lowest wattage my pet store carries, though. I had planned on covering the bottom with micro sword, but I still need suggestions for high-light backround plants that would top out aroud 6". Also, with so much light I know I'll need plenty of CO2, but the only method of doing this I've heard is with buffers(the idea horrifies me). I'm considering API's Laterite for substrate, topped off with pea gravel, but the cost of that little 20 oz. box really annoys me. So, is it worth the money, or should I pay the same for a bag of Flourite that I'll have to burden myself with storing? Or Onyx Sand? I don't know which the plants would prefer. Since filtration is out of the question(other than the filtration the plants would inherently provide), my only other concern would be heat. I figure the light will add quite a bit of heat, but I have yet to set it up, so I can't be sure how much it would provide. Ultimately, I want to fill the tank with micro sword and a few taller plants, which I hope will enable me to give my lonesome betta a tankmate or two. Any advice is well appreciated in advance. My betta will love you, too.

ahill3780 · 08-20-2006, 11:58 PM

Welcome!

I will leave the plant concerns to our resident plant guy, Jay, unless someone else wants to chime in.

I have a similar 15W clip-on mini-PC light that I used to use for my mini-refugium on my nano reef. That little light puts off a little heat, probably enough to help keep your 2.5 gallon warm. Only way to know for sure though is to set it up!

Good luck, and keep us posted with your progress!

jamesR · 08-21-2006, 12:11 AM

I'll get it on the tank tonight and run it tomorrow. I suppose a thermometer would also help. I'll post tomorrow with the temp. If it was fine for your nano reef I'm guessing the temperature difference that will occur on a daily basis won't shock my betta?

Jay · 08-21-2006, 12:54 PM

Hi JamesR

Attached is one of my Rice Paddy Beta tanks, about 1.5 gal.

Is something like this where you want to go?

If it is, I think you are way overestimating the project difficulty

I know, I Know, poor camera angle, but you get the idea.

Say hey to the betta for me.

Regards,
Jay

jamesR · 08-24-2006, 12:21 AM

Okay, Jay first of all, cool tank. Now I hadn't planned on growing plants out the top of the tank, but in looking in yours I realize it looks pretty cool. Looking at the picture I wondered if maybe the glass canopy wouldn't be a good idea with the plants seeing as how there are no opening except for a couple of tiny holes at the edges(I think, of course, the rim of the tank blocks airflow through these even). I've heard O2 passes from the atmosphere into the water at the surface, and since I'll assume this is true of all gases(namely CO2) I figure this canopy will make a good killer of plants. At the same time this brings to mind the $15 I wasted on the lightstrip

. Oh well, I suppose. Please tell me what you think about this. As for the plants, I only know that I want the bottom of the tank completely covered in micro sword, with about three taller plants coming through. The taller plants are open to suggestion, but I think i might like something with some red in it

. Also, I put a thermometer on the tank yesterday, and it reads 68 with the light off and 71 with it on. And if this helps, I have well water that is extremely hard. I'm not sure how this affects the plants. The betta doesn't mind, although he has never built a nest. Anyways, thanks for any help, I'm through rambling.

ahill3780 · 08-24-2006, 12:26 AM

If I'm not mistaken Iron helps to bring out red coloring in certain plants. A good subsrate like Flourish could benefit the tank in this case. Jay?

jamesR · 08-24-2006, 12:38 AM

That sounds very reasonable to me. I worked at a nursery for a bit and learned that chelated iron aided nutrient intake which in turn greened up your grass or plants. So, I guess it should red them up, as well. A question I have though: Is all iron used in horticulture(aquatic or otherwise) chelated, or are there different types? Thanks again.

Jay · 08-24-2006, 07:57 AM

Let's look at it in order...

Light..A small 2.5 gallon tank requires as much light intensity as say a 10 gallon. I will not get into the physics of it here, but if you look at the picture I sent. That is 125 watts of screw in compact fluorescent light. I'm working on finding a better looking fixture.

CO2...The equilibrium (normal gas exchange at the surface) of CO2 to a small body of water is about 4 ppm. If you are going to fire up the photosynthesis with high light then you will need a consistent 20 - 30 ppm during the lights on period

CO2 injection is impractical and a real hassle in a small tank. Seachem makes a product called "Excell". It is a source of Carbon for plants, works very well and is inexpensive in a small tank. 1/2 ml a day will do it.

Substrate...Should have a high CEC. Fluorite for instance. It both ADsorbs, and ABsorbs nutrients and makes them available to plant roots. Pet store aquarium gravel has a CEC of "0".

Fertilizers...Technique and chemicals are a little different when we go with submerged plants. The tank in the picture has 1 Betta, he produces enough waste to keep all of the plants happy. Nitrates, Phosphates primarily. I do not have to supplement that tank with ferts.

I do supplement with Trace Elements (the very small quantities of stuff needed for biological health. Seachem makes the product Flourish, Tropica makes the product Master Grow. Again cheap in a small tank

Aaron asked about Iron. Iron is not the element involved in making "red" plants red (it is fooling with the NO3 uptake). It is toxic at elevated levels! I do not dose iron, there is sufficient quantities in the substrate "Fluorite" and the "Flourish Trace" to keep plants healthy. There are other issues with dosing iron, but I don't want to dwell on it here.

Finally...Filtration and Heat. For heat I use a little fixed temp heater and an "azoo" palm filter for circulation and mechanical filtration. Here are a few links.

Azoo Palm Filter

Mini Heater

Extremely Hard Water is water with a high Calcium / Magnesium content. You could mix it 50/50 with bottled mineral water at not much cost. Your plants would probably go for it.

Hope this helps a little

Jay