Newbie Here :)

[SmokedPaprika]

I think you just want plants that won't grow too large. Crypts come in various sizes but there are plenty of small ones, e.g. Wendetti is quite small. You can also get things like dwarf hairgrass or other smaller plants but on the whole, as long as you know how big they can grow to, most plants should be ok. As long as they are aquarium plants of course!

 
Cool, thank you! I'll make sure I do research before buying, I don't want to end up with a jungle...

 

[Lunar Jetman]

Cool, thank you!

I'll make sure I do research before buying, I don't want to end up with a jungle...

 
No problem. You're in the UK so you can get them from your LFS or from online shops like The Green Machine or Aqua Essentials 

Even if you don't buy from them their sites carry a fair bit of info about each plant. It's also worth looking at the classified section of this forum. There are often people selling their excess plants for reasonable prices.


Of course if you do grow them well you can put them up on the classified section and make some cash to buy more plants!

 

[SmokedPaprika]

Ooh, good links, thank you - The Green Machine even have a nano section. Perfect!
 
I'm so glad I joined this forum I've learned a lot in just one day!

 

[TallTree01]

That's what we're here for!

 

[Lunar Jetman]

Yep, glad to be of help! Keep us posted how you get on and how the tank looks.

 

[SmokedPaprika]

Will do once I think I've picked out a tank I'll probably post again for opinions and advice.  Cheers, everyone!

 

[Shelster]

Here is my 22 litre betta set up in a nano tank give you some ideas maybe?

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/416507-22-litre-betta-tank/

Welcome to forum, and look forward to seeing pics of your betta and setup in the future

 

[RyanSmith]

Welcome to the forum. 

 

[RCA]

 

...it's a bit of a beginner's cliche but I really want a siamese fighting fish.  I've loved them for years but my parents wouldn't let me have a tropical tank and the cold water setup.

 
WELCOME [emoticon deleted] ask away and we will do all we can to assist.
 
Good luck in your new home and lovely to have somewhere that is now your own, handy to like cooking.
 
What sort of tank and equipment have you been considering?  Do not rush and take a look at the Beginners Resource Section, especially the part on cycling an aquarium - the fish-less version is the better option.
 
As for fighters you are in the right place [emoticon deleted] but [emoticon deleted] be-warned [emoticon deleted] MTS is highly contagious and a definite with fighters [emoticon deleted]

 
Thank you!  Yes, it's been fun setting the house up and putting things where I think they should go [emoticon deleted] are those your bettas in your signature?  They're gorgeous 

 
Yes,  I'll definitely do a fish-less cycle; it sounds much more humane, and gives me plenty of time to decide which fish to go for.  I was thinking quite a small tank, one of the all in one set-ups that seem to be in a lot of pet shops.  Not a BiOrb though, they look too much like fish bowls!  I know nanos are harder to maintain but I really don't have much space [emoticon deleted] ideally I'd like to do a betta with a shoal of something smaller and maybe some shrimp and/or snails, though I know betta's tempers can vary...would something around 50-60 litres give enough space?  Also, what's MTS?
 
 
 

>Welcome to the forum! You should see if there's a Freecycle group in your area and check them out for used tanks. It's where I got all 7 of mine! And do take a look at the beginner's section. Lots of good stuff to take in there.

 
Yes, there's loads of great info - I'm actually a bit boggled, I don't know where to start with it all!
 

 
Yes, they are my fighters in my signature, the boys are in the squares and some of the girls are in the circles, and thanks for the comments
You can check out some of my girls here Betta Girls, They Can Be As Stunning As The Boys
Also check out some of the other topics in the Betta Splendens section of the website, as this will give you further insights and more

.
Shelster's journal (link above) is also very useful and is a good Nano tank for starting into the world of MTS (Multiple Tank Syndrome).
 
Check out Rasboras Espei - lovely fish with Bettas, I already have eleven of them, with twelve more in Quarantine   Search the forum as I have talked about them elsewhere if you want more info on them.
 
Corys are great with Bettas or Amano Shrimps, but in the case of the Shrimps, ensure the lid has no gaps - found one near the fridge last week that someone had sadly trod on!
 

Hi paprika,
As soon as I read the word betta in your first post I knew RCAs post would follow lol. Yeah, a 60 liter should be enough for a nice betta and a shoal of tetras or rasboras.
MTS= multiple tank syndrome OR Malaysian trumpet snail.
Good to have you on the forum and look forward to reading a journal on this tropical tank hopefully!

 
Ha, thanks TT, it is not all about Bettas though you know

MTS was the former in this case

 
Ditto, set up a journal as we all

those.
 

...I need to work out how to put photos up before I start a journal...well, I think a tank is fairly crucial too

 
Check out Photobucket, that is what I use, and I have been impressed with it.
 

Random question, I'm thinking of trying live plants, is that possible in a small tank?

 
Already been answered, but yes definitely and better for Bettas than plastic!
Check out JBL Florabase plus other similar products that go under your substrate (sand, gravel).
 
Let us know your shortlist for tanks prior to purchase and we can assist you to get the best.  Enjoy the journey ...good to have more Betta fans, not that I care for them that much

   Go for it eagles ...

 
Once again I was warned too many emoticons, hence [emoticon deleted] - shame as they express emotions LOL

 

[Joshwainwright]

@ josh wainwright- get beetles! There's sooo many experiments you could say theyre being used for.

 
I'm doing media
 

Just wait until you get to university

you'll hardly see 7AM, unless you've stayed up until that time! *Nostalgia*

 
I'm basically already like that in the holidays 

 
Back on topic...
 

Ooh, good links, thank you - The Green Machine even have a nano section. Perfect!
 
I'm so glad I joined this forum

I've learned a lot in just one day!

 
I recently bought some new plants from AquaEssentials and I'm really impressed with the portion size and the quality. After ordering from somewhere that didn't really give sufficient portions before (I won't name drop, but it wasn't The Green Machine), I ordered more than I would and I've kind of ended up with too many!

 

[Lunar Jetman]

After ordering from somewhere that didn't really give sufficient portions before (I won't name drop, but it wasn't The Green Machine), I ordered more than I would and I've kind of ended up with too many!

What did you get too much of? I might be able to take it off your hands if you want to give it away/sell it!

 

[Joshwainwright]

What did you get too much of? I might be able to take it off your hands if you want to give it away/sell it!

 
Crypt Wendtii mainly, my Amazon Sword seems to be melting though so once that's gone I'll be able to space them out a bit more with the taller ones at the back. A couple of the leaves off my Argentine Swords are dying too so that's not a good sign.
 
I'll keep you updated though if I somehow manage to keep everything alive and still have too many