Considering The Switch To Live Plants..

[WhosYourRitz]

Hey all! I'm a bit newer. My betta is the blue male in my avatar named Zeus. My first betta unfortunately passed away two days before Christmas and the day after I got out of the hospital. He'd been battling with dropsy and was getting better when I had to be taken to the ER for stomach pains. I came home the next morning and went to check on him and he had died. I'd had Benji for almost 2 years.

I've had Zeus for a week now. Right now he's in his travel tank (1/2 gallon that gets a 20% water change once a week). His new home will be a 5 gallon eclipse system (has the bio-wheel filter). Right before I left for home for my winter break, I did a 50% water change and a siphoned my gravel just in case Benji died (which he did ). I know I need to clean out the tank really well when I get back.

Since the tank is going to need to be cleaned and the filter changed, I was considering making the move to live plants. I've heard a lot of people say how much they like them but I am completely clueless about live plants. Right now there are some nice plastic plants in there with a great rock hiding place. I ran nylons over the edge of every plant to make sure they wouldn't snag his fins and removed all the leaves or filed down the areas that would to be very smooth. So right now his tank is betta safe.

What plants would be good for someone just starting off with plants? Are there any plants specifically beneficial to a betta? Will I need to change my substrate to sand or is the gravel okay? How much will the plants cost? Should I order them from the internet or try to buy them in a pet store? What are the challenges to having live plants? The benefits?

Thanks so much for the help!

 

[bordercollie05]

Hi There,

Sorry to hear about the loss of your betta. As far as plants go, I love having live plants.

The plants you choose really depend on how much time you want to spend on them. Higher light plants will need fertilizers, CO2, and lots more trimming. They grow faster, but also can be more colorful as the high light can support lighter green and red plants.

Low light plants don't require as much help. If you have the Hex tank I'm thinking of, with a florescent light, it really should be fine for low light plants. These plants might need a fertilizer every once in a while, but otherwise shouldn't need much attention. They are slower growing, and usually darker green. These plants are also more common and easier to find in an LFS. Some examples are: Anubias (most species), Java Fern, Mosses, some swords.

As far as substrate, gravel should be fine. If you go for high light, you might stick a root tab fertilizer under your plants (also if you have a sword in a low light tank...they need a bit of a boost for nutrients). When picking your plants you want them to look healthy...no holes or brown spots. Also, they often carry snails, which I kind of like, but if you don't want them, check for that with the LFS or seller. I would buy them from a store if you can find healthy ones that you like. If not, online is the way to go. I've purchased most of mine online and usually 95% of them ship just fine.

You asked about challenges. I really don't think there are many additional challenges or weekly chores that you wouldn't do anyway. Especially if you go with low light plants. Some of my plants shed a bit, and lose their leaves as they grow. So I guess floating plant matter has to be picked out. I suppose the biggest issue is controlling algae. But once you get down the balance of CO2/Ferts/Light, the algae should go away (with your help by picking it out some).

Hope to see you post some pictures as you revamp the tank. I think your Betta would love live plants....I really think my fish seem happier with them, although that might just be me inferring too much

Anyway, good luck! Oh and I almost forgot; read the pinned threads in the planted section, they are very helpful

Laura