Thinking About Remodeling Hector's Tank

[Feather_Sword]

Right now Hector lives in a 2.5 Mini-Bow with a Whisper 10i filter with a small container over the top of the filter to reduce the strong current, metallic colored gravel, a small Betta cave ornament, and a custom made background. I just bought him a week ago and seeing some of the Betta aquariums that people have set up for their fish, I realized that my tank seems a little plain compared to the others, and Hector deserves something more Betta friendly than what I have set up for him.

I would like to totally redo his home with a sand substrate, small bio-mechanical filter that does not give off a strong current like my Whisper but still is as effective and works with a sand substrate, and some easy to take of live plants, yet I have a few questions about these things.

1. How is sand easier to clean than gravel, and is any sand, including regular sand, okay for an aquarium?

2. What live plants should I consider getting for him? How do you take care of live plants? How would you set up the plants, and where should I buy nice quality plants?

3. How would you do a water change every week in an aquarium that has sand and live plants?

4. Where would I put Hector temporarily if I decide to remodel his tank? I have a 5 gallon hospital/fry tank that I could use, but should I make it seem as though I am changing the water in his old tank, using half of the old tank water in the 5 gallon and using the same filter and transfer him to the 5 gallon while I set up his new aquarium? I realize that with a new filter I will have to let the aquarium cycle through again, or is there an easier way to do this and get him in his new home in a day or so?

I would really like to know anything and everything possible for setting up an aquarium like this. Hector really deserves a better aquarium.

 

[JustFrozen]

Right now Hector lives in a 2.5 Mini-Bow
I would really like to know anything and everything possible for setting up an aquarium like this. Hector really deserves a better aquarium.

i'm probably not the best source of info for the rest of it, and this is probably not what you want to hear (or maybe you were already taking it into consideration), but i would be careful about putting too much in that tank - i know it gets boring when its mostly empty but 2.5 is already pretty small.

this has been something going through my mind a lot as i consider getting a 2nd tank, and i keep leaning towards getting a larger size because of it; however, you've already got the 2.5 so try to maximize it by carefully planning plants etc (which actually sounds like you may be doing)

 

[loraxchick]

Right now Hector lives in a 2.5 Mini-Bow with a Whisper 10i filter with a small container over the top of the filter to reduce the strong current, metallic colored gravel, a small Betta cave ornament, and a custom made background. I just bought him a week ago and seeing some of the Betta aquariums that people have set up for their fish, I realized that my tank seems a little plain compared to the others, and Hector deserves something more Betta friendly than what I have set up for him.

I would like to totally redo his home with a sand substrate, small bio-mechanical filter that does not give off a strong current like my Whisper but still is as effective and works with a sand substrate, and some easy to take of live plants, yet I have a few questions about these things.

1. How is sand easier to clean than gravel, and is any sand, including regular sand, okay for an aquarium?

2. What live plants should I consider getting for him? How do you take care of live plants? How would you set up the plants, and where should I buy nice quality plants?

3. How would you do a water change every week in an aquarium that has sand and live plants?

4. Where would I put Hector temporarily if I decide to remodel his tank? I have a 5 gallon hospital/fry tank that I could use, but should I make it seem as though I am changing the water in his old tank, using half of the old tank water in the 5 gallon and using the same filter and transfer him to the 5 gallon while I set up his new aquarium? I realize that with a new filter I will have to let the aquarium cycle through again, or is there an easier way to do this and get him in his new home in a day or so?

I would really like to know anything and everything possible for setting up an aquarium like this. Hector really deserves a better aquarium.

ok, heres some advice
if you already HAVE a 5 gal, give that tank to him and use the 2.5 for hospital/fry. it should be bare anyway for that so space shouldnt be an issue with decorations, plants, substrate, heater and filter in there taking up swimming room
if you do opt to keep him in the 2.5, get a 15 watt heater as they are tiny. then make a sponge filter that wouldnt take up a lot of swimming room. i can help you with the build if youd like. you will need an airpump for this.
now for substrate. you will have to use as LITTLE as possible so not to take up too much volume. sand is nice, and i have it in my 3 gal, but it is less than half an inch deep and the plants always pop out and float between waterchanges. gravel would be easier to keep piled around the plants and heavier to weight it down. the plants also should be ones that can survive being constantly uprooted by the fish. as the substrate will be reallllly shallow and just brushing past them as bettas like to do may pop them out of the substrate. and it is unrealistic that you will want to replant them everytime they come up. so id suggest elodea and camboba. both species can grow just fine either planted OR floating.
now for decor.nothing too voluminous. no coconut cave with just a door would not be a good idea, as they take up too much room to swim. unless you make a few doors for him to swim in one and out another. even a big hole in the top. that actually would be fun. i use little slate pieces to make a rock formation with lots of entrances. its like his little cave maze. and i can rearrange them when i do maintainence so it is always changing the layout. nothing too big thou. the largest piece is only about a quarter inch think and MAYBE 3 inches X three inches.
my betta in this setup is very active. you could even keep some snails in for entertainment. they will also help keep the plants healthy and eat up leftover food. as long as you dont overfeed the tank excessively, you will NOT be overrun with them.
any other suggestions that i missed? lemme know. smaller tanks do not mean less work...more actually. you will still have to do every week once a week waterchanges! even with live plants. you cant plant it too heavily or the swimming room is compromised.
cheers

 

[Feather_Sword]

I did not know gravel could be used, so I'll just use that instead, as I really would like to give him plants. I have a sponge filter already, so all I would do is just buy a couple plants and put the sponge filter in?

Also, when doing water changes, I would have to keep the plants in water the whole time right?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Feather_Sword

loraxchick has some good ideas, but let me suggest some others too.

Sand is a good substrate because the dirt lays on top of it instead of sinking down into it like it would with gravel. All you would have to do to maintain it is to siphon the debris off the surface and give it a stir with your fingers from time to time. In the process you will be removing water so half of the water change is already done. Ordinary play sand (but not builder's sand) works well and is inexpensive. It's a very natural look, but if you prefer something brighter, colored sand can be purchased at any lfs. A depth of 1/2 inch or so is good.

Java moss, moss balls, anubias, or java ferns are also good plants that do not need to be rooted in the substrate. Moss balls require more light than the others to thrive, but like the java moss, are free floating. The java ferns or anubias have roots that do not get planted in the substrate, but instead get tied to a stone or piece of wood. All of them can be easily picked up and be moved around during water changes or just for a change of scene.

If you can transfer the cycled filter media in your present tank to the new filter, you will not have to cycle your tank again.

 

[Feather_Sword]

Okay, interesting.

Where is a good place to buy really nice aquarium plants?