NomiDemekin Posted March 14, 2009 Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 I am about to start up a betta tank once more, and I've recently become addicted to looking at various aquascapes. Which has inspired me to make a planted betta tank. And I was wondering what plants would make an hardy/easy carpet cover for the tank? I'm planning on a 5 gallon, 'scaped to look like a tree on a hill (With a piece of driftwood planted with moss, which I also mean to ask about), with a betta and a few cherry shrimp as the residents. Considering I've never kept a planted tank before, I'm expecting this to be quite the project. So, any suggestions for the carpet/ground cover? As well, what substrate/filtration/CO2/lighting setup would I need? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted March 14, 2009 Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 Probably the easiest carpet plant I've ever kept is Pygmy Chain Sword (Echinodorus tennelus). Just give it some decent light, some Seachem Excel and a .5-2" substrate and you'll have a nice carpet in a few months (or less). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byte Posted March 14, 2009 Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 Micro sword requires high light, but they grow fast and spread everywhere. It will even root into the prefilter sponge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingin' It Posted March 14, 2009 Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 with a betta and a few cherry shrimp as the residents. Considering I've never kept a planted tank before, I'm expecting this to be quite the project.So, any suggestions for the carpet/ground cover? As well, what substrate/filtration/CO2/lighting setup would I need? I hear Baby Tears (Micranthemum umbrosum) grow quickly...I don't keep a carpet in my planted Betta tank, just lots of root plants. I have noticed though, that the Bettas like to attack the shrimp...I don't keep the cherry shrimp, I thought instead i'd check out their behaviour with some bigger ghost shrimp (wayyy cheaper 'cause they're feeder shrimp for fish) and the Bettas definately want to eat 'em. You might want to rethink keeping cherry shrimp with the Betta as it will likely be a very expensive dinner for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleshgear Posted March 14, 2009 Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 I think a betta and shrimp is a bad idea. I put the two together for about an hour once and the betta went after the shrimp quite aggresively. If you have at least 2 wpg I like pogostemom helfri. It stays fairly small and looks cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devocole Posted March 14, 2009 Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 haven't tried it myself but marselia is kind of like glosso but less demanding look it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishclubgirl Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 haven't tried it myself but marselia is kind of like glosso but less demandinglook it up I have dwarf and regular 4 leaf clover(marselia) myself and think the dwarf stuff is good ground cover. Am getting a little fed up with HC and dwarf hairgrass floating off on me. Also like sagittaria and have had some going for years that's great ground cover and easy too. Bettas are predators and would love the shrimp, as a snack. Don't ask me how I got the dwarf 4 leaf clover as I may have to kill you, lol!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happeboy Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 Micro swords are working well for me, no CO2 and in sand with cichlids trying to rip them all out all day. only 2wpg. I never had luck with prime seemed to kill either the fish or the plants so I'm not using that either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NomiDemekin Posted March 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 Thank you everyone for the suggestions! I guess cherry shrimp are out then. I had just been browsing betta websites and forums and cherry shrimp came up repeatedly as a suitable tankmate, depending on the temperment of the betta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishkabod Posted March 18, 2009 Report Share Posted March 18, 2009 Thank you everyone for the suggestions! I guess cherry shrimp are out then. I had just been browsing betta websites and forums and cherry shrimp came up repeatedly as a suitable tankmate, depending on the temperment of the betta. The temperment of the betta is a really really big factor when trying to combine it with other tankmates that aren't female bettas. I'd get something cherry shrimp sized and cheap and see how the betta reacts to it then go from there. Although I'm definitely not an expert. One step at a time. One thing i think is a major factor though must be quantity and quality of the food you feed the Betta fish. Good luck. I'm sure you can figure it out. L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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