Betta Cottage

[attibones]

My cycle has started! I've added a bit of Phoenix's media, and I've added the nitrifying bacteria which arrived today. Tank is nice and cloudy! I'm about to test the ammonia in the water to see if I need to add more of it or not.

The website said results happen quickly, so here's hoping!

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Good luck! Keep us updated

 

[attibones]

Oh, I definitely will. I'll post first test readings tomorrow and see where we stand. I'm not expecting any real readings, but I may need to add more ammonia. I've bumped up the heater, which has reminded me to get a thermometer tomorrow. I want to have fish in this tank before the boyfriend comes back to see me! Or at the very least, substrate.

 

[kazc31]

Good luck!! Looking forward to seeing it all come together!!

 

[Meeresstille]

Exciting, hope all will go smoothly! 

 

[Shelster]

Yay cloudiness, lets hope you get some developments before your bloke comes to stay

 

[attibones]

Thanks all!

Boy should be back here either the weekend before my fish arrive (around the eighth, I think) or the weekend after. I really want progress, especially because I need to pay for and ship my fish. Maybe we could even have an LFS date! We could go and pick out a whole bunch of plants and maybe he will want an aquarium and then I can work on that one too!

Either way, I still need to actually buy my substrate. Then I'll work on the hard scape. Since neither of my wood pieces will go in the tank vertically (which is part of the reason why I bought the Malaysian wood in the first place, both will need to be horizontal. I was thinking of putting the Malaysian in front of the filter or even leaning it on one side against the glass to create more of an interesting look in the tank.

I want to possibly plant several groups of amazon sword in the back corners, maybe some anubias congensis in the middle (or reverse that) and have java fern attached to the wood. If I can get some vallis, I'd like to plant it in the middle and back, too. Hmm... Might want to try a short foreground plant, too. I'd love DBT, but I don't think I'll have the right carbon for it. Any suggestions on plants, my friends?

 

[kazc31]

I always say tiger lotus because I think the red ones real pretty looking!! you could take a look at water sprite not the best looking being a floating plant but the bettas like to rest on it apparently!!

 

[attibones]

I'm not going to do water sprite. I had it once and it was a disaster. However, the tiger lotus is an interesting idea. I'll do more research.
Oooh it's beautiful! I'll have to order some. I could have those sort of centered, I think.

 

[kazc31]

Thought the red would contrast beautifully against the brown wood and the greens! Would stand out lovely!!.

 

[attibones]

You are right. They would look excellent. Thanks for the tip! I'm hoping I can get some on aquabid or something, as those are excellent plants. Now I have to have some.

 

[kazc31]

My pleasure! I must say I'm really looking forward to it all coming together! Hope it all goes smoothly for you!

 

[kazc31]

Oh yes whilst I remember! If u do get this plant ud be best keeping it in a pot to contain it, if left it can get to quite a size but many have managed to keep it regularly sized if the roots are limited! Best of luck!

 

[attibones]

Thanks! That's what I've been reading as well. Of course, now I'm thinking about upgrading my lighting, so we shall see how it all works out.

 

[kazc31]

Hope it all goes well and I'm sure it's going to look amazing!!!