5.5 Gallon

[Meggie :)]

Hey everyone! So I have a 5.5 gallon betta tank that currently just has the average easy plants: java fern, swords, anubias, that kind of thing. I have some extra plant substrate (the fluval plant substrate) sitting around upstairs that I never used. I decided I kind of want to mess around with this small tank before I start up the 50 gallon planted because I have never done a REAL planted tank before. I already have a good plant light on the tank, already have the substrate that I can put in there when I start this project (the tank is currently just sand), all I need now is the co2...I told my mom about the DIY co2 with the 2 liter bottle...because it's a lot cheaper and fine to use on this small of a tank...but she said that she didn't want things to start looking "clunky," as in having a random 2 liter bottle hooked up to the tank just sitting on the table...I could always put it behind the tank (the black background on the tank would hide it) but a 2 liter bottle is big, and would stick out above the tank...is there any way I could use a smaller bottle, or no? Or would it still work if I put the 2 liter bottle on the floor?

Also, I know to get the co2 into the tank, people put the airline tubing from the co2 into their filter so that it is mixed in by the time it enters the tank, and that just using an airdrome for it will not be sufficient. However, I have tetra whisper power filter 3i, so I can't see how that would work... so, assuming I could use a smaller bottle for the yeast mixture, or set the 2 liter bottle on the floor, what would be the best way to get the co2 in the tank? And if this whole thing isn't possible, is one of these kits be good?
This one
This one
I really have no experience with this and don't know the difference between the two....hah sorry for all of my questions!

Thank you for any help or advice in advance!
Meg

Edit: would a co2 system be too unstable on this small a tank? Should I just do liquid co2? And with good fertilizers and lighting and liquid co2, would I be able to succeed with dwarf baby tears and maybe some more colorful plants?

 

[stu40]

Hi
when you say you have 'good' lighting, do you know Wattage?
IMO carbon & decent ferts would be a good option in a tank that small.I've done pretty well with it in a 15G.
Also, never underestimate the importance of flow in a planted tank.

Edit:Especially getting it down to the substrate if you want carpeting plants

 

[Steve H.]

Hi Meggie!

If you would like you can check out my journal. It's a 5.5g planted CPD tank. It might help answer some of your questions.

I recently added a DIY yeast system, and I am getting great results. I have currently changed it to 2 - 1 liter bottle reactors and a 1 liter bubble counter/collection vessel. I change 1 bottle every sunday to keep co2 at a constant level(so 1 bottle goes for 2 weeks). It uses regular airline tubing, and a regular airstone to diffuse the co2. I used to have a ceramic diffuser, but it clogged. I put the airstone on for a temporary fix until I could purchase another ceramic, but the DIY drop checker I made shows that with the airstone I am getting plenty of co2 into the water column.

However, I have a place to hide this contraption. Which doesnt really help you out with that problem of hiding it.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/388083-noobs-ltlb-10/page__st__120

Page 6 is when I added DIY co2, and on page 7 it shows the level with my DIY drop checker.

Hope this can help!

 

[Meggie :)]

Thank you both for your response!

I actually do have fertilizers, I don't use them on the 5.5 gallon right now, but I could. They are pferts: micros, potassium, phosphate, and nitrogen. My lighting is The zoo med ultra sun, which I believe is 6500k and 10 watts? Maybe it isn't a good plant light? I thought it was, anyway

This tank has a betta so unfortunately I can't have that much flow. I have a very light filter...is doing a legitimate planted tank not a good idea, then? (it is planted now, but just with the basics)...but he is a king plakat male so he might be able to handle a little stronger of a flow? I don't know..how would I get sufficient flow in a tank this small?

Steve, I will definitely check out that album of yours! I really like that idea of 2 1 liter bottles instead of 1 2 liter! How do you make your own drop checker? (unless it's in your album, because I haven't read it yet...I am going to do that right now ) is this a good model to work off of? DIY co2

I feel like I'm missing something.....I think I had something else to say....

Thank your for your help! I am really excited (if I can do it, anyway! )

 

[stu40]

That is a good light, 6500k is daylight colour temp & 10w is fine in there.
We're not talking about 'washing machine' flow.

See how you get on, just be aware that you may struggle with some foreground plants .Note the may.i don't have all the answers.
Use the ferts when you either start on liquid carbon or the diy yeast

 

[Meggie :)]

Thank you for your help!