Betta fish questions

[NatJ]

@SegiDream and @Chickstarrs
yes, you're right about the Anubias. I mixed it up with crypts. Oops.

Anubias will sometimes grow proper roots from the rhizome into dirt or gravel (I have one that did), while Java fern only ever grows the brown stringy things. But you are right, both Anubias and Java Fern have rhizomes that need stay out of the dirt and gravel.

 

[black_cat]

Unless you want to just put the dirt in a pot (plastic pot or clay pot), and sit that in the tank.

If you only have a few plants in a large tank, that is one way to do it. Dirt in the pot with gravel on top of the dirt, and just gravel in the rest of the tank bottom.

I'm considering accepting the offer but putting the tank in storage until I have experience with plants, tanks, etc with a smaller betta tank. I'll have to think about it. I'd love to have one of those gorgeous fully planted tanks, but am probably not able to pull it off on my first try.

 

[black_cat]

Agree except Anubias are like java ferns with a rhizome and roots trailing from that. With both types of plants you can bury the roots in the dirt/gravel enough to help the plant stay down, but the rhizome must be free floating can't be touching the bottom.

Edited to add: If you like java ferns and anubias, you have got to check out bucephelandra too and I've seen them for sale in the chain pet stores now too. There's so many varieties and colors...

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I like them because I've been told that they're easiest!! How do you stop the plants from just floating around?

 

[NatJ]

I like them because I've been told that they're easiest!! How do you stop the plants from just floating around?

Sit them on the bottom of the tank and put a rock on their little roots (not the rhizome, just the skinny roots that stick out.)

Or wrap their roots around a rock or piece of wood.

Or use sewing thread to tie them to a rock or piece of wood.

Or superglue them to a rock or piece of wood. (Yes, literally superglue. After it dries, it's supposed to be fine in an aquarium.)

Or just let them move around. They often sit on the bottom instead of actually floating at the top, and they will tend to get pushed around when you add water, or in the flow from the filter. But if the filter always moves the water the same direction, they will eventually move to somewhere and stay put. After they stay for a while, their own roots (or those thread things that java fern makes) will attach them to the gravel or something else in the area, and then they will stay put until something pulls them loose.

One reason those plants are considered so easy is that you don't need to mess with things like soil, that many other kinds of plants need

 

[black_cat]

Her tank with fish in it. All of those plants are fake.

Empty tank!!!
That rock thing is on it's side, and has three holes to swim through.
Not sure if these are actually 75 gallons. I didn't want to bother her with measuring, so here's a pic that can hopefully help with size reference.

I'm bad at estimating sizes, but yeah.

 

[NatJ]

Not sure if these are actually 75 gallons. I didn't want to bother her with measuring, so here's a pic that can hopefully help with size reference.

I found a chart of aquarium sizes (length/width/height), and it also has weights for when they're empty and full.

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/standard-aquariums-weights-sizes/

A 75 gallon should be 48 inches long (4 feet), by 18 inches wide, and 21 inches tall.
I don't think the tank in the picture has the right proportions to be a 75 gallon, although I could easily be wrong.

It might be reasonable to just bring a tape measure and ask to measure it, because the size definitely does affect whether it will fit ____ (any particular place in your home that you might want to put it.)

 

[black_cat]

I found a chart of aquarium sizes (length/width/height), and it also has weights for when they're empty and full.

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/standard-aquariums-weights-sizes/

A 75 gallon should be 48 inches long (4 feet), by 18 inches wide, and 21 inches tall.
I don't think the tank in the picture has the right proportions to be a 75 gallon, although I could easily be wrong.

It might be reasonable to just bring a tape measure and ask to measure it, because the size definitely does affect whether it will fit ____ (any particular place in your home that you might want to put it.)

Thank you for that chart!! I think you're right- this does seem a bit smaller than that. I'll look and see if I think one seems close to what it seems like. I'll definitely bring a tape measure tomorrow.

 

[SegiDream]

I'm considering accepting the offer but putting the tank in storage until I have experience with plants, tanks, etc with a smaller betta tank. I'll have to think about it. I'd love to have one of those gorgeous fully planted tanks, but am probably not able to pull it off on my first try.

That's what I'd do too and it's actually how I started out. I'd look for a petite anubia or buce for a small tank 10g or less. Regular anubia and java fern can actually get kind of big for a small tank. I like to scale to size so it doesn't seem crowded. If you have a dirted tank and slow growing plants, plant care is fairly easy.

I love crypt, petite anubia, mini dwarf hairgrass (does better with a sand cap than gravel) or micro sword, subwassertang for nano tanks.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

I think that's a 40-50. My 80 is huge compared to this.

 

[black_cat]

I think that's a 40-50. My 80 is huge compared to this.

Thanks for the input!