5G Betta Tank

[hansgruber7]

I'm a relative beginner and not a good photographer, but here is my 5G Betta tank with 1 Nerite snail and some Red Cherry Shrimp. Any tips or advice? I know my betta is suffering from fin rot and I'm doing my best to help him recover. I also know I need to change out the Indian Almond Leaves. A few questions I'm considering:

1. Should I get rid of the plants in the foreground?
2. Should I get a black background?
3. Do I need to regularly remove the rocks and driftwood and clean them and gravel vac under them? How often? Or is it ok to leave them in and clean around them?
4. Do large numbers of shrimp stress out bettas? How many is too many? I only bought four originally and already gave dozens to the LFS but they are rapidly reproducing. Should I remove them all?
5. I put a couple pieces of frogbit in the tank. Was that a mistake?

 

[Crispii]

1. There's really no need to remove the foreground plants unless they're not doing well or you don't want it anymore.

2. If you want. Problem with black backgrounds is that it can cause reflection in which the Betta can see itself and flare. You can also add a frosted window film as a background.

3. No need.

4. Large numbers of shrimps don't necessarily stress your Betta, but keep in mind that Bettas can predate on shrimps.

5. No, but frogbit can block light for your plants.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

1( No, no need to. It’s all a personal preference, and I think they look good.

2( I recommend it. It helps the fish feel more secure. Some people prefer blue backgrounds.

3( No, you do not need to. Cleaning around your hardscape/plants will suffice.

4( It all depends on the temperament of the betta, small number or big number. Has the betta shown any aggression?

5( Not necessarily. Frogbit can be very beneficial to an aquarium.

 

[hansgruber7]

1. There's really no need to remove the foreground plants unless they're not doing well or you don't want it anymore.

2. If you want. Problem with black backgrounds is that it can cause reflection in which the Betta can see itself and flare. You can also add a frosted window film as a background.

3. No need.

4. Large numbers of shrimps don't necessarily stress your Betta, but keep in mind that Bettas can predate on shrimps.

5. No, but frogbit can block light for your plants.

Thanks! My betta is super peaceful for some reason and never goes after shrimp as far as I can tell.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Thanks! My betta is super peaceful for some reason and never goes after shrimp as far as I can tell.

That’s good. Those bettas are rare.

A betta/shrimp tank can be very cool, if properly maintained.

 

[hansgruber7]

That’s good. Those bettas are rare.

A betta/shrimp tank can be very cool, if properly maintained.

Is there anything in particular I have to do to properly maintain a betta/shrimp tank? Beyond regular water changes?

 

[Crispii]

Add lots of plants and/or hardscape.

 

[hansgruber7]

Here's a close-up of my Red Cherry Shrimp.