Can Plants Be Used As A Filter For 14g?

[betta_luv]

(Hey folks, I had earlier added this question to an existing thread, but since none replied, I am posting it as a new thread with a request for members to please answer.) 6 female Bettas in a 14g (24 x 12 x 12) with plenty of green plants and sand. It would have a 24" fluorescent tube on for 4 to 5 hours and sunlight for an hour. There would be no additional CO2. Would plants be able to act as a filter for such a tank? Also, how often should the water changes be for such a tank? Cheers.

 

[George Farmer]

I'm not experienced with bettas and am unsure how much waste they produce in relation to their feeding.

However, providing you are planted heavily enough with fast growers then it may be possible. I would recommend floating plants as these can extract CO2 from the air and have access to more light, therefore will grow quicker and take up more nutrients (fish waste).

Test regularly for ammonia/ammonium, nitrite and nitrate to ensure the plants are perfoming. Obviously if you will need some additional form of filter if you start to detect ammonia/nitrite.

There's no fixed "rule" for water changing. I personally recommend 25% per week or thereabouts.