Plants

[michael_cb_125]

What type of filtration do I need for a small 2.5 gallon planted tank with BETTAS?

[Scouter Steve]

Bettas don't need serious filtration. Beautiful as they are they come from dirty, filthy, mucky swamps. They survive because they can "breathe" from the surface all the time.

[michael_cb_125]

I know, but what do the plants need?

[michael_cb_125]

Do they need alot of filtration.

[zimboy]

Common misconception about Bettas is that they can live in anything because they can gulp atmosperic oxygen. While they can utilise air from the atmosphere, there is still the problem of elevated wastes in their water. This WILL hurt the health of the betta. Swimming around in a toxic sludge of ammonia is NOT healthy. even if you can breathe air. We don't go swimming in ponds of toxic sludge, and we can breathe atmospheric air..... be kind to your betta, give him/her adequate filtration, just like you would any other fish.
In FW this consists of mechanical(filter floss), biological(bacteria growth) and chemical (running activated carbon or other absorption media.

[michael_cb_125]

I know about the fish, thanks for the information. I would never keep ANY fish without filtration and proper water conditions. But, what about the plants. What do I need to do to keep them alive?

[zimboy]

Plants don't really need filtration. They need higher levels of CO2, some light, and thats about it. By keeping your water surface still you will slow down the exchange of CO2 from the water with O2 from the air. Having some fish in the tank will also elevate your CO2 levels. Othewr than that, try to have no noticeable current and once the plants have rooted leave em alone. Your fish's waste will provide enough fertilizer for the plants that you shouldn't have to supplement with other fertilizers. If you want to, use a fertilized substrate (ie. laterite).

hope this helps
Adam

[michael_cb_125]

Thanks, thats what I was thinking but I was not sure.

[mps9506]

A big issue will run into with keeping plants in a 2.5 is going to be the lighting, and finding a plant that won't outgrow the tank.
Depending on the lighitng you may do well with chain swords (Echinodorus tenellus), clover fern (Marsilea drummondii), and possibly Anubias nana and A barteri. The last two can actually grow quite large but are very easy to prune.
Any of the plants would do well with a 9 watt PC 6500k bulb over that tank, maybe even 2x9watt setup.
Use a decent substrate like Seachem's Flourite and things should grow well.

[michael_cb_125]

I am planning on using LED lighting. Here is what I am going to be using
PowerBrite | Current What's Next
I ordered the all 10K version. Will one of these be enough or will I need several?

[PEMfish]

Depends on what you want to keep. I personally would step up to a 10g because you can find filters and plants for it easer, many more options. That light would be ok on a 2.5g. As far as filtration, you'll need; carbon, ceramic( bio ), and foam ( mechanical ). Be sure to clean the foam weekly as it doesn't take much to raise ammonia in a small system like that. You can take an ol plastic bottle ( show in image ), cut out the bottom, fill it with media bags, and run air up it. Or theres this: Azoo Palm Filter . But a 10g. That would be better. I had a planted 10g once;
-10g tank $10
-substrate $6
-Thermometer $2
-Heater $10
-AC filter $10
-CO2 $DIY
-Light $30 (( DIY upgrade ) 28w )

Total:$68

10g would be more to look at too.

2.5g:
-Tank $8
-Substrate $4
-Thermometer $2
-Heater $8
-Filter $8
-CO2 $DIY
-light $60

Total $90

The CO2 on a 10g was done like this; I took a 20oz pop bottle, drilled a 1/4 in hole in the cap. Ran air line 1in into it and siliconed it there. I hooked the other end onto the filter intake. When I made the CO2 concoction for the big tank I added some to the bottle, filling it half way.

[Witfull]

ive kept bettas and bred them. they like still water, very little circulation. they love cover growth of plants. for this i would use cabomba or anubias. easy to light, and feed through water without roots. a small bubble up filter will do the trick for removing disolved organics and break surface tension.

in a 10g tank you can have a male and up to 4-5 females with thick vegetation and low agression.

[michael_cb_125]

I would do a 10 gallon. But I need something small. I already have a big tank to care for. I just want a tiny little betta tank. How many could I keep in the 2.5 gallon planted. 1 male 2 females?

[Witfull]

iwould keep 1 male alone in a 2.5. they are agressive to fems to the point of killing them if not ready to breed. i had a male for yrs in a 1.5g brandy glass with a few banana plants and a desk light.

[PEMfish]

Yeah, you need the territory and 1 to 4 ratio. Try fitting that into a 5g. But breeding is worth it.