Thoroughly Confused Now!

[Jozlyn]

Hi, I've spent seveal hours this morning reading through the pinned topics and many threads and now I'm absolutely and thoroughly confused

My tank - 10lt, rectangular, heater, external filter.

My questions:

Can I put any other fish in with my Betta or not?

What do use on the floor of the tank? (I've seen lots of pictures on here where people have nothing) Is gravel ok?

Should I have live or fake plants?

Can I leave my Betta unfed like my community tank when I go on holiday shortly?

I'd really like answers to all of the questions, try not to get stuck on one topic please

Thanks

 

[sylvia]

Can I put any other fish in with my Betta or not?

Fish - no - because a 10 litre tank is only just over 2 gallons so you would be voerstocking. However, a couple of shrimp might work (depending on your betta's character)


What do use on the floor of the tank? (I've seen lots of pictures on here where people have nothing) Is gravel ok?

Gravel's fine. Just avoid anything overly messy. Many people keep the tank bottom bare so it's easy to do complete water changes - but if the tank's cycled, this doesn't matter.


Should I have live or fake plants?

That's up to you. I preffer live but you need lights to keep them that way They also help keep water quality good by taking up nitrates - but if they rot, they can have the opposite effect.


Can I leave my Betta unfed like my community tank when I go on holiday shortly?

How long is your holiday going to be? Theoreticaly, yes you can - but it depends on just how long and how established your betta's tank is. if it's not a fully cycled tank, it's unlikely that the betta will survive anyway- purely because water quality will rapidly deteriorate (one good reason to have a filter).

 

[Jozlyn]

Thanks for the quick response

I've never seen any shrimp out here, I don't know if I'll be able to get them, will check with the Nursery. Also what is the full name/breed of the shrimp?

Tank's cycled, I and really like the look the look of gravel and real plants need it anway

We'll be gone for about 9 days, leaving in three weeks. Being such a small tank tho, I could probably take half the water out and cart it around to Mum's and get her to look after him. And yes, readd the water at the other end!

 

[zoekin8yg]

You could possibly get a automatic feeder, but might be an idea to get someone to look after him, a few days is usually fine but 9 might be a bit long.

 

[t.ropical_m.istx3]

That's up to you. I preffer live but you need lights to keep them that way They also help keep water quality good by taking up nitrates - but if they rot, they can have the opposite effect.

i don't have tank lights over my bettas and i have live plants in there - the plants are thriving. they've grown a couple inches since i threw them in there.

 

[Jozlyn]

That's up to you. I preffer live but you need lights to keep them that way They also help keep water quality good by taking up nitrates - but if they rot, they can have the opposite effect.

i don't have tank lights over my bettas and i have live plants in there - the plants are thriving. they've grown a couple inches since i threw them in there.

Do you know what sort of plants they are?

 

[liz2]

in the summer I take weed from my pond and that thrives in my betta tanks...parrots feathers I think sort of grows along the top and they hide under it and jump out at me!

 

[sylvia]

Yeah - the light thing depends on the plants but most you get at LFSs won't survive without extra lighting. Then again, I'm quite useless with plants You might have your tank in direct sunlight though if you have typical aquarium plants and they are 'thriving'. If so, you might have to be worried about temperature fluctuations.

Check out http/www.petshrimp.com for shrimp info. Any of the small ones like ghost shrimp and cherry shrimp are great (Basically any of the Caridina species)

edit: typo in URL

 

[Jozlyn]

Thanks for the help.

I just went and bought him, he's sitting in a bowl on my desk looking at me! I've decided to name him Laurence!

He's very pretty his body is puple/pink - ish and his fins are a royal blue, not very masculine colours but very pretty!

 

[zoekin8yg]

He sounds lovely, any pics?

 

[Jozlyn]

He sounds lovely, any pics?

Not yet, I'm at work, I'll see how I go tonight (I'm not very good at taking pictures) when I get home, he's just gorgeous

Yeah - the light thing depends on the plants but most you get at LFSs won't survive without extra lighting. Then again, I'm quite useless with plants You might have your tank in direct sunlight though if you have typical aquarium plants and they are 'thriving'. If so, you might have to be worried about temperature fluctuations.

Check out http/www.petshrimp.com for shrimp info. Any of the small ones like ghost shrimp and cherry shrimp are great (Basically any of the Caridina species)

edit: typo in URL

How many shrimp can I get, do you think? Can I get two or three differnt types, or do they all need to be the same? And, why only the Caridina sp? What's the difference between them and the Neocaridina which are on the web site as well?

 

[heatmisr]

I don't know if the shrimp are a great idea. Some bettas will eat them. If you do get some shrimp, be prepared for the possibility that they may "disappear". Also, make sure when you purchase, if you still decide to, that you are getting shrimp and not prawns. Some people have been sold "shrimp" which turn out to be prawns. Another poster in a different forum posted a pick of one of those prawns eating their neon. Not trying to scare you, just giving you a little more info is all.