Betta cave?

[**sarahp**]

So I'm in the process of putting together my betta tank. I've painted the back, got lots of plants in my main tank waiting to move across etc but I'm wondering about a cave?

My original plan was just lots of plants and a terracotta plant pot on it's side. Will that be enough or do I need a specific cave or log with lots of ways in and out of it?

What do you guys do to make sure your bettas are not bored? I'm also wondering about one of these https://fishkeeper.co.uk/product/aqua-range-grazing-pod-feeder#product-details or would that be too much?

I'm trying to make the perfect betta tank!

 

[0_Infinite_0]

I don't really think a cave is necessary. The pot and loads of plants should be enough. Plants will also keep them busy. Unless you want to use the cave as a decoration also. I've never seen that food pod before, so I'm not sure how that would work. It looks cool though!

 

[Essjay]

I think I have the fussiest, laziest betta in the world. He will not eat soggy pellets. He tries them, then spits them out. But he goes mad for non-soggy pellets and waits just under the surface for me to drop them into his mouth.
He also won't eat daphnia, brine shrimp or mysis though he does like bloodworm - those are the frozen food in the 4 in 1 pack.

If you get a betta anything like mine, he'll want nice fresh unsoggy food rather than food that's been sitting in a feeder.



I used to have a terracotta plantpot cave; I cut about a third off the side and - very important - siliconed a square of craft mesh over the hole in the bottom of the pot. If a betta can get stuck in a hole, he will. I had java fern growing on the pot so it didn't look too much like a plant pot.
I closed down another tank recently so I replaced the plantpot cave with wood with attached plants from the other tank. I've had my betta for 18 months so he is middle aged and he now likes sitting on bits of plant watching the world go by. If he wants a cave, there are spaces under the wood he can use.

 

[FroFro]

I think a cave would be nice if you really want one! I have two betta logs at different angles and my betta likes to swim through the holes randomly.

 

[**sarahp**]

I think a cave would be nice if you really want one! I have two betta logs at different angles and my betta likes to swim through the holes randomly.

Have you sanded the edges to protect fins?

 

[FroFro]

Have you sanded the edges to protect fins?

I only had to file down the edges on one of the smaller holes as they had a few pointy edges that would snag fins, otherwise they work great! If you want a more natural look you could probably try a hallowed log turned over with maybe a few plants attached?

 

[**sarahp**]

I used to have a terracotta plantpot cave; I cut about a third off the side and - very important - siliconed a square of craft mesh over the hole in the bottom of the pot. If a betta can get stuck in a hole, he will. I had java fern growing on the pot so it didn't look too much like a plant pot.

I had planned to put java fern on it but didn't know about covering up the hole in the bottom - thanks for the tip

I only had to file down the edges on one of the smaller holes as they had a few pointy edges that would snag fins, otherwise they work great! If you want a more natural look you could probably try a hallowed log turned over with maybe a few plants attached?

I'll see how he gets on with lots of plants to begin with but if he gets bored later I might just have a go at the hollowed out log

 

[FroFro]

I had planned to put java fern on it but didn't know about covering up the hole in the bottom - thanks for the tip



I'll see how he gets on with lots of plants to begin with but if he gets bored later I might just have a go at the hollowed out log

My betta likes to hide in the logs when he is bored, I think he takes naps in there. It's pretty cute though to see him poke his head out when I walk by before he swims around and does the feed me wiggle

Best of luck!