Dirt Planted Betta Tank

[RRaquariums]

Part 1

So last night in the chat some of you asked how to do a dirt planted tank I had a 2.5 gallon that needed face lift so I decided to show you guys how I do it and what I use.
Now before I start I just want to say that there are tons of ways to do this and I'm sure some will look at the way I do it and think it's stupid so really it's about what works for you

To do it the way I did you will need:
1 bag of miracle gro organic garden soil the bage looks like this
https/www.dropbox.com/s/41nr9dgt614l009/2014-02-09%2015.59.58.jpg

You will also need
A fine gravel like this size. I used Pure Water Pebbles brand
https/www.dropbox.com/s/ym84lzb54fpwmwp/2014-02-09%2020.25.11.jpg

And of corse your plants I just grabbed some stuff I had from other tanks and mixed it up.

This is the tank before I did anything
https/www.dropbox.com/s/aodxcdmua4orsza/2014-02-09%2015.16.53.jpg

I cleaned the tank out then added a layer of the wet dirt down about an inch thick in the front and 2 inches in the back
https/www.dropbox.com/s/ilb3kbxw2wx3vyv/2014-02-09%2016.41.34.jpg

Then you add the plants. Dig a small hole in the dirt with your finger or a spoon and make sure the roots of the plant are covered
https/www.dropbox.com/s/y1a6dvpn626qtkj/2014-02-09%2017.24.40.jpg

After the plants are in add your gravel I usually go with half the depth of the dirt so I used about an inch
https/www.dropbox.com/s/qh59vzlrin3oubd/2014-02-09%2017.38.49.jpg

Ok so now your ready to put water in the tank. I use a 5 gallon bucket and a peace of air line to slowly syphon the water onto a small plate I put on the substrate so there no disturbance to the dirt and gravel.

This is it after being filled for 5 minutes as you can see the water is not dirty because I filled it so slow that's key if you do it fast is will be a mess
https/www.dropbox.com/s/iqyyfkvv89ofusb/2014-02-09%2020.03.05.jpg

So that's it the same idea works for a large tank I did my 90 gallon this way and it's doing awesome.

I will be adding more plants and in a few weeks a betta so stay tuned for updates.
Thanks for reading part 1 of my dirt planted betta tank
Ps if you have any questions I'd love to answer them.

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

Nice work!  I recently dirted my first tank, a 29 gallon.  I've been wanting to redo my own betta tank with dirt too.  I'm just worried about the water params going nuts in such a small tank.  What other plants are you planning?

 

[RRaquariums]

Not sure some type of plant that will carpet the front substrate and maybe some more java fern.
Any ideas are welcome

 

[Gizaroo2]

Just out of curiosity. ..looks like you included some anubias in there? They cannot have the rhizome covered or they will rot and die. Otherwise looks good!

 

[RCA]

Great, thanks RR... Looking fwd to seeing the Betta
You needed an Assassin snail in the original tank!
Looks like you were eating the plants half way through
Roll on part two....

 

[RRaquariums]

Just out of curiosity. ..looks like you included some anubias in there? They cannot have the rhizome covered or they will rot and die. Otherwise looks good!

Yes I know but thanks it's hard to see but the top part of the root base is sticking out and they will push up and out as it grows while the long bottom roots will push down into the soil I did it on my 90 gal and they have gone nuts
This is the 90 gal with that stile of planting. https/www.dropbox.com/s/wmm2s11egdb18dp/2014-02-09%2010.14.14.jpg

 

[Gizaroo2]

 

Just out of curiosity. ..looks like you included some anubias in there? They cannot have the rhizome covered or they will rot and die. Otherwise looks good!

Yes I know but thanks it's hard to see but the top part of the root base is sticking out and they will push up and out as it grows while the long bottom roots will push down into the soil I did it on my 90 gal and they have gone nuts

This is the 90 gal with that stile of planting. https/www.dropbox.com/s/wmm2s11egdb18dp/2014-02-09%2010.14.14.jpg
 

Haha good! Roots buried on them are fine, just not the rhizome part. Didn't want you to lose them due to that. 

Tank looks great!

 

[BerryAttack]

looks good, have you looked into a dwarf hair grass, gives a nice carpet. also for the back have you thought about tall grasses? the tall grass kind of gives you the background. just ideas. 
can't wait to see when it is done

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

I like the hardiness and simplicity of Dwarf Sagittaria.  They explode in a dirt tank so you'll be trimming back often.

 

[RRaquariums]

I will look into both of those plants thanks for the advice