Galligak
Aquarium Advice Addict
Hello everyone! It's been a while since I've started off a tank build. Well I'm back and with my 2.5g MiniBow. Sadly my betta Prince Charming died He was fairly old when I had gotten him and has been extremely unactive for the past month or so. I tried keeping the water pristine, feeding live and frozen foods, watched him carefully for any signs of sickness. But he died, on Saturday! I've decided in his memory to make a nice tank for a new "rescue" betta like himself. I mostly get bettas from good pet stores, but I think that I'll save one***.
Since the tank is pretty pathetic looking with it's black and neon gravel and java moss...
I need some opinions on planting the tank!
Substrate: I've read that I can use Miracle Grow on the bottom, yes the fertalizer kind, but apparently I need to bake it or soak it for a while, and then sift it for large non soil items. Has anyone done this? Should I try?
Lighting: I have a 15w Compact flourecent light bulb with 900 lumens. Is that good lighting? Where would this put me in the planting world?
CO2: I was thinking about doing DIY CO2, but I've heard that it can lead to HUGE algae breakouts. Should I attempt? Do I need a bouble counter thing? I'm not sure where even to get them.
Ferts: I've read up about them but I just can't seem to understand them very well. I think that ferts are the micro (?) nutrients that plants need, but I'm not all that sure. I know that Potassium, Nitrate, and I think Iron are the main ones. Would I be needing them? What kinds are there and where can I get them, if I do decide to get them?
Plants:
Here's what I have:
Java Moss, X-Mas Moss, Afzelii Anubais, Anacharis, Moneywort, Marimo Moss Balls and Wisteria. I can get some of these out of other tanks.
What I would want if I can have, JUST IDEAS(please tell me if these are possible and what all I would have to do with them):
HC, Dwarf Sag, Anubais Nana Peite, Hygrophila sp. 'tiger', Java Fern Narrow Leaf Frogbit or some other floater, Staurogyne 'porto velho', Blxya Japonica and Riccia. I believe that's all.
Thanks for reading, and hopefully answering some of my questions!
Going down to my woods right now, will hopefully find a good driftwood piece or a amazing rock! I'll post pictures of my findings and havings when I get back!
***I don't support the selling of fish in uneducated stores, but they're always going to sell bettas, or at least around me they will. I'd rather get a betta or two from bad places and treat them well than have someone else give them a horrible life in one of those .25g death traps. I knew that the statement would get people mad but please see a little reason with my logic and no arguments about it would be lovely!
Since the tank is pretty pathetic looking with it's black and neon gravel and java moss...
I need some opinions on planting the tank!
Substrate: I've read that I can use Miracle Grow on the bottom, yes the fertalizer kind, but apparently I need to bake it or soak it for a while, and then sift it for large non soil items. Has anyone done this? Should I try?
Lighting: I have a 15w Compact flourecent light bulb with 900 lumens. Is that good lighting? Where would this put me in the planting world?
CO2: I was thinking about doing DIY CO2, but I've heard that it can lead to HUGE algae breakouts. Should I attempt? Do I need a bouble counter thing? I'm not sure where even to get them.
Ferts: I've read up about them but I just can't seem to understand them very well. I think that ferts are the micro (?) nutrients that plants need, but I'm not all that sure. I know that Potassium, Nitrate, and I think Iron are the main ones. Would I be needing them? What kinds are there and where can I get them, if I do decide to get them?
Plants:
Here's what I have:
Java Moss, X-Mas Moss, Afzelii Anubais, Anacharis, Moneywort, Marimo Moss Balls and Wisteria. I can get some of these out of other tanks.
What I would want if I can have, JUST IDEAS(please tell me if these are possible and what all I would have to do with them):
HC, Dwarf Sag, Anubais Nana Peite, Hygrophila sp. 'tiger', Java Fern Narrow Leaf Frogbit or some other floater, Staurogyne 'porto velho', Blxya Japonica and Riccia. I believe that's all.
Thanks for reading, and hopefully answering some of my questions!
Going down to my woods right now, will hopefully find a good driftwood piece or a amazing rock! I'll post pictures of my findings and havings when I get back!
***I don't support the selling of fish in uneducated stores, but they're always going to sell bettas, or at least around me they will. I'd rather get a betta or two from bad places and treat them well than have someone else give them a horrible life in one of those .25g death traps. I knew that the statement would get people mad but please see a little reason with my logic and no arguments about it would be lovely!