i've caught the bug...

[houndour]

It's going to have to be a small one cos I don't physically have the space to put anything decent sized anywhere. Been thinking about a planted Betta tank for a long time. Today had a serious look at what I need.

I'm probably going to get a 16"x8"x8" rectangle tank which is 5.3 US gallons. My reason is the 12" long is too small to fit a (decent) light and the 18" would prob require the next tube size up and it wouldnt fit.

I reckon I can squeeze a 24 Watt T5 interpet compact tube (12 inches long) into the 16" tank. This would be 4.5 WPG. Is this enough for a small tank? or have I got it wrong and should be doing less WPG?

I'll be getting CO2 and maybe an entire fluorite substrate.

I'll stock it with 1 male betta (gonna splash out on one from bettaman) and maybe a few amano shrimp, but not sure if they are compatible yet.

OK, so my main question was the light...is that suitable? 24 watts over 5 gallons?

And secondly...and I may have post separate in the DIY section...

I can't get a cheapy metal "clear seal" lid for this size tank...and it comes with a plastic one. My t5 light gets really hot, would this plastic hood be OK with these lights? I'm really concerned about that. Can't find a wooden one to buy either. I am crap at DIY and really dont want to build my own.

Sam

 

[George Farmer]

You're not going to believe this but I had exactly the same idea - even down to the lighting, although I didn't get around to buying it in the end. The hood should be fine for a 12" 24W T5 PC - it's even white on the inside for reflection.

It's a 16" x 8" x 8". Background painted black. Complete with sand and Mopani wood. Base is protected with black hight-density foam - glued. I even bought a nice little internal - Rena Filstar. I even drilled the hood and fitted clips ready for the lighting.

The Nutrafin diffuser fits perfectly too and I'll have two spare kits soon when I go pressurized.

I was going to plant it with a carpeting plant and have shrimp and guppies or something similar. I'm far too busy though to set it up so it's been sitting in the spare room for about 12 months.

PM me if you're interested. Here's a snap - it's empty so the glass looks dirty, it is in fact in perfect condition - no scratches.

 

[houndour]

OK, I've finally taken the plunge...I've been in and out of the betta forum for months now always saying I was going to set up a tank for a betta and now it's almost coming true

I ordered my light (interpet T5 compact daylight 24 watts) and thermometer.

I already have sand, heater and filter (altho I may have to change filter if the one I have is too strong for the betta).

So all I need is CO2 nutrafin kit (gf, willing to sell yet? or soon? or have you changed your mind?) and the tank.

When my light arrives I will take it with me to Pets @ home and make sure it fits the tank I'm planning on getting...so hopefully I'll get it by the weekend *fingers crossed* and can start cycling.

Going to do some research on some small plants, but I want to get the set up stable first so I'm going to take cuttings from the tank I have now so I dont waste money on killing plants.

Sam

 

[houndour]

OK, done my 'small' plant research...been on the AGA site to look at the small tanks and what they use...and here's my shortlist of fave plants...

Anubias nana petite - I've read you can attach to wood? is this true?

Hemianthius Micranthemoides - aka baby tears. Seen it used as a carpet and a background. Thought it might make a suitable background. Leaves seem small.

Glossostigma Elatinoides - now i can see why everyone is going on about this. Looks fantastic when its carpeted. I've read it takes ages to fill out though and needs 2.5 to 3 wpg. I may give this a go as my carpeting plant....also says to use an iron rich substrate...I wasnt going to bother with laterite. What do you think?

Vesicularia sp - lol I looked this up and its java moss!! it looks fantastic if it grows well. Unfortunately mine in my 20 gal is covered in black algae.

And finally riccia.

So my plan is Glosso for foreground carpet, baby tears for background to hide heater etc, riccia - i want to try and make some 'hills' and then the anubias so I have some focus.

What do you think?

 

[nodding_dino]

sounds really nice!

I might be able to help you out with some Hemianthius Micranthemoides cuttings...if they're of any interest!

(maybe someone can suggest the best of of cutting/dividing (?) )

 

[houndour]

I might be able to help you out with some Hemianthius Micranthemoides cuttings...if they're of any interest!

Aw I'd definitely be interested. I'll pay you...or we could do a swap...not that I have anything worth having. I dont want to send you algae! lol

I got an email today from Surrey Pet Supplies...I've ordered my T5 compact tube, unit and thermometer from there...I have to choose a day for delivery...from 9th august! Next tuesday!!! So much for having it for the weekend.

But it was cheap...just over £26 (including postage)...would have cost me nearer £40 to buy from LFS.

 

[zig]

sounds really nice!

I might be able to help you out with some Hemianthius Micranthemoides cuttings...if they're of any interest!

(maybe someone can suggest the best of of cutting/dividing (?) )

[snapback]861670[/snapback]​

How tall do you find that plant grows, or is it a fairly new addition to your tank?

 

[zig]

OK, done my 'small' plant research...been on the AGA site to look at the small tanks and what they use...and here's my shortlist of fave plants...

Anubias nana petite - I've read you can attach to wood? is this true?

Hemianthius Micranthemoides - aka baby tears. Seen it used as a carpet and a background. Thought it might make a suitable background. Leaves seem small.

Glossostigma Elatinoides - now i can see why everyone is going on about this. Looks fantastic when its carpeted. I've read it takes ages to fill out though and needs 2.5 to 3 wpg. I may give this a go as my carpeting plant....also says to use an iron rich substrate...I wasnt going to bother with laterite. What do you think?

Vesicularia sp - lol I looked this up and its java moss!! it looks fantastic if it grows well. Unfortunately mine in my 20 gal is covered in black algae.

And finally riccia.

So my plan is Glosso for foreground carpet, baby tears for background to hide heater etc, riccia - i want to try and make some 'hills' and then the anubias so I have some focus.

What do you think?

[snapback]861662[/snapback]​

Sounds good, just not sure how the glosso would do in gravel alone, but i suppose only one way to find out, id probably grow something along side just in case.

Best of luck anyway.

 

[nodding_dino]

no need to pay, it will be nice to be able to swap cuttings!

Maybe you could send me a scoop of your riccia or a bit of glosso (as and when ). Just let me know when your ready and I'll pack some up for you!

Zig, it's been in the tank since the very beginning (which still isn't very long!), and after a slow start it's starting to pick up quite nicely, I saw some new growth on there tonight. It's sitting about 3 or 4 inches high. It's actually now being eclipsed a little by this (I need to do an ID!) so may do even better if it's moved into fuller light.

 

[houndour]

ND, I kinda replied in the EI thread.

I've decided to use a complete fluorite substrate for my 5 gallon now. It's surely got to be a good thing? And I'd like to give the glosso a good chance. For £20 (1 bag should be enough) I'd rather get it now than later and have to re-do it all.

So, I'm getting my tank, substrate and CO2 tomorrow. So hopefully I'll get things running this weekend ready for the light that is arriving tuesday. Then I can put some cuttings in on tuesday. And then I shall have a think about what I'm going to order.

I've had a look at glosso on greenline already...you get "5" for £10. So I was going to get that, plus some anubias, but I want the small species and I havent a clue which they are, so I guess I ought to phone the guy and speak to him.

I have java moss and riccia already. So I think the glosso and anubias is about it for now.

edit//

I need a little moan. You guys are so great, most people get really quick replies on here. I've posted on the betta forum asking for advice about cycling/not cycling the tank and noone has replied yet and its nearly 24 hours It seems all they care about is how pretty their bettas are. sorry rant over. hope I havent offended any betta people.

 

[jimbooo]

hi hondour

small anubias = anubias nana.

ha ha you've got the bug bad now haven't you. i tell you what having two planted tanks is great especially at different sizes you can swap stuff about etc.. which makes it much more interesting. it's funny though my riccia grows much more quickly in the 40G than in the 12G. odd seeing as they have the same WPG and the 12G stuff is closer to the light. hmm i'm never going to work this stuff out fingers crossed luck keeps shining my way, good luck with the new tank.

 

[houndour]

Well today I got my polystyrene stuff (for under tank), co2 (only £14.99), big bag of laterite (didnt have fluorite) and a net (don't wanna pass on diseases), and of course the tank

I woke up this morning thinking I was making a mistake and maybe I shouldn't be doing this, but once I got out shopping I was fine.

I'm not 100% convinced about the hood that came with the tank, it seems really shallow. And I'm convinced it's gonna melt. I really really dont want to have to build my own Anyone know where you can buy 18x8 wooder hoods?!

The other thing I was worrying about this morning is snails. I hate the things and I wont have any botia to eat them. I'm going to make a real effort to clean and inspect any plants before I add them, but it's so difficult. I was thinking of maybe putting plants in my main tank for a bit first so any eggs hatch and then the botia can eat the snails before they get to big/lay more eggs. And then I would maybe stand less chance of getting snails in my new tank?

As you can see, couldnt get fluorite. So Im gonna add the whole big bag of laterite and put sand on top.

Reckon I could get away with an inch to maybe 1.5 inch of substrate? I'm not growing anything with huge roots (like swords).

Next thing to decide is where to put it. The plan was the dining room, but we dont have anything in there to put it on...and the space thats there seems silly to fill with such a small tank when i reckord 60 would fit perfectly

Anyway i've put the tank on the kitchen work top. I probably spend more time in there cooking than we do in the dining room eating.

Oh pants. I've had a thought. Its right next to the microwave. will this fry my betta? or is the thing about getting exposed to micro waves if you stand infront of one an old wives tale?

 

[houndour]

ok, been doing my research and I've come to the conclusion that having a fish tank in the kitchen probably isn't a good idea.

I've found a post where someone boiled their betta cos they put a hot pot infront of it. Other people seem to think microwaves do omit radiation even when switched off. Googled...they do emit when on, but cant find anything that says when theyre off.

So now I need to buy a table/stand and have it in the dining room.

 

[houndour]

I've got my light and thermometer

I have everything I need now to get started (assuming the hood is ok with the lights). I've even got my filter in my main tank so it helps with the cycling process.

my only problem is where to put the thing a quick look in the argos catalogue and there's nothing that looks half decent (that would fit with the dining room furniture) that costs under £60

I don't think my bookcase could hold it. The only other place is in the "games" room on a shelf under the telly, which is where all our pcs and consoles are. But the thing is, if we're in there we're staring at computers screens, not at a fish tank.

It's such an anti-climax having all the gear but not being able to set up

 

[zig]

Yeah very disappointing Sam, maybe you could do a raid on your mum and dads house if they dont live to far away, there has to be something, nescessity the mother of invention and all of that.