Creating A Betta And Adf Paradise

[Fish_Girl]

Sorry for starting yet another thread but i want to make sure i get the perfect tank and set up for my froggies! I have three 4 year old african dwarf frogs and once i have a new tank set up i also plan to finally get a Betta Ive been after one for years so im super excited and as i said want to get it right for both species. I have been looking all over for a new tank and i will most likely go for the 48L Interpet Fish Pod. I just wondered what others would suggest for a set up? I have had the frogs on gravel their whole lives but i would consider using sand as substrate if this is more suitable for them and a Betta. I am not too confident about having a proper planted tank but I will probably get some Hygrophila as this seems easy to maintain and also good for the frogs and Betta if im correct?

The footprint of the tank is W39cm x D33cm x H43cm so i will need to put a deep layer of substrate in to make it more frog friendly. I have also had my heart set on having some type of terrace for a while now. Im not sure if the tank has a big enough footprint for a piece of juwel terrace rock to look right in it, but if it did i would certainly consider it to add another level in the tank and bring the frogs closer to the surface if need be.

Im basically just looking for suggestions of how to set up the tank to make sure the frogs and future Betta are happy little creatures so if anyone has any ideas i would love to hear them. I have been looking in the sub forum of members tanks but most obviously have very large tanks so its hard to get an idea of what to do with a tank this size. All suggestions are definately welcome and I would love to see photos of smaller tanks belonging to members so i can get*cough*steal*cough* some ideas!

 

[micko]

Frogs and fish shouldn't mix IMHO. A betta will be more happier on its own.

 

[Jenste]

ok so this is about 15 gallons US

4 adf and a betta would be fine in this but you need to make sure the frogs get their share of the food because bettas will be able to find it faster due to their keener vision. ADF have very poor eyesight and see primarily in shadows. They find the food due to their excellent sense of smell

Have a LOT of hiding places and silk/live plants. Water wisteria is a cheap and easy to maintain plant that both species would enjoy - - root some and leave the rest floating. Both the betta and the frogs will hang out in it.


Baby ACF with water wisteria

set up that may work well for you

betta with water wisteria

fake plants set up

 

[Fish_Girl]

Thankyou Jenste, those are lovely photos! I believe it was you that first recommended the water wisteria to me for the frogs But i didnt want to get any for the tank they are in at the moment. Glad to hear it is as easy to maintain as i was hoping! We only have 3 frogs not 4, sorry for the confusion there! And yes the one thing concerning me about keeping a Betta and ADF's together was the feeding, but my OH hand feeds the frogs and always has done so im hoping the Betta will leave alone while he does that Ive noticed on my searching that you can get a floating log for Betta fish which has a hole in the top for feeding too so maybe we could get him into the habit of eating there while the frogs fill their bellies at the bottom of the tank!

Im assuming it is ok to mix live and silk plants? im pretty sure i have done that in the past but i never had much luck with live plants so gave up after a few goes. I was planning to get lots of silk plants to give plenty of hiding places and also some stone arrangements and other little hidey holes. The terrace is something id really like to do but will need a little more research to figure out how to fit it and also what substrate is best to fill it with, though if memory serves im sure you cant have too deep of a layer of sand so i could perhaps fill the terrace with gravel and put sand on the base of the tank so much to think about!

 

[Jenste]

absolutely fine to mix live and silk. - I like very low maintenance plants like moss balls and water wisteria.

Wisteria needs no special fertilizer substrate - just push it down into gravel or sand and you are good to go!

 

[Fish_Girl]

absolutely fine to mix live and silk. - I like very low maintenance plants like moss balls and water wisteria.

Wisteria needs no special fertilizer substrate - just push it down into gravel or sand and you are good to go!

Thanks again Jenste! Coincidently i was looking at moss balls on ebay this evening wondering if they might also be low maintenance because they are so lovely looking-onto the watch list they go! Is there a certain size you would recommend for the frogs/betta? I wonder if a mixture of a few small 2-4cm ones and one larger one might be acceptable? sooooo much to think about but im so excited about setting this tank up

 

[Jenste]

any size moss balls are fine - get what ever sizes appeal to you.

Stay away from the "floating" "weighted" moss balls - -these are just a thin layer of moss tied around a ping pong ball with a string attached - not worth the money IMO