Newbie wanting a planted 10g + beta

[shendeavorelae]

Hi folks,

I'm interested in setting up a planted tank. I'm mostly interested in the plants at this point (as I've had fish before and suffered in trying to cycle a mini-tank), but would be happy with a single beta. I'd like to have a 10 gallon system, but in reading on everything a planted system needs, I'm feeling overwhelmed.

I'd like a system that is relatively cheap (under $100 in total), and relatively easy to maintain.

Where should I start?
What level of maintanence should I expect?
Where should I go to buy the equipment I need? The local petstore?
Help!

 

[mr86mister]

if your only planning on having 1 fish its ok to get a starter 10 gallon kit w/ heater and filter..etc. etc., Petsmart runs around 60-80$ with the kit, but then you have to buy all the other stuff for it.Now for plants...beleive it or not...planted tanks arent that hard to maintain....just look up a bit about live plants and specs of each and the lighting they need and they make the tank look AMAZING. if you have a mom and pop store try that cuz usually they know a bit more then chain store employees....but not always!!!(my g/f works for petsmart and i've taught her well...lol) its all on exactly what you want and how you want it to look

 

[Blazeherd2306]

For a cheap and easy setup, all you need is a HOB filter, a heater, and a Normal Output Flourescent bulb fixture with one 15 watt bulb. That will give you 1.5 watts per gallon which fits in the low light category of plants. There is no need for CO2 since it will be 1.5 wpg, but for my ten gallon, I use Seachem's Flourish (gives the plants the nutrients they need) and Flourish excel (gives the plants organic carbon).

Some good plants that are very easy to keep are java fern, java moss, anarchis, bolbitis, and crypts.

Here's the list of plants I have in my setup:
http://www.plantgeek.net/plant-80.htm
http://www.plantgeek.net/plant-161.htm
http://www.plantgeek.net/plant-197.htm
http://www.plantgeek.net/plant-110.htm

Here is a good kit for keeping plantsall you need is the fundamentals)
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=12787&ref=3532&subref=BB&N=2004+113221

Here is the substrate I use (you only need one bag):
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=9087&ref=3532&subref=BB&N=2004+113223

Some good tools:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=12039&ref=3532&subref=BB&N=2004+113218

Good luck with your planted tank

 

[Blucat]

Here are some plants that will work in your tank:
Anubias sp. Cryptocryne sp. Hornwort, Hygrophillia, definitly Java Fern.

You could have some driftwood in the tank and anchor the anubias to it. It looks quite nice. Also, the betta will benefit if you have a rock with a hole in it or tunnel/tubular object as my betta just loves squeezing through places and gooing under the fake bridge.

Lastly, I would recomend fishless cycling.

BTW Welcome to AA

 

[megladonsharky]

Here are some plants that will work in your tank:
Anubias sp. Cryptocryne sp. Hornwort, Hygrophillia, definitly Java Fern.

You could have some driftwood in the tank and anchor the anubias to it. It looks quite nice. Also, the betta will benefit if you have a rock with a hole in it or tunnel/tubular object as my betta just loves squeezing through places and gooing under the fake bridge.

Lastly, I would recomend fishless cycling.

BTW Welcome to AA

I thought i was the only one with a wacky betta... who went thru holes barely big enough

 

[shendeavorelae]

Thanks for all of the advice, folks!

 

[mr86mister]

anytime....got anymore we are here to help

 

[Blazeherd2306]

No problem. If you need any more questions answered, just ask.