thinking about

[laboul]

I'd really like to keep a betta. I read all the pinned threads and think I'm up to it. I will probably get a 2 gallon bowl, it seems like people don't have much of a problem with bowls as long as they are kept clean? I'll seed it with gravel from my other tank... I don't have to worry about heat as my house is always between 75-77F.

My question is I would really like a live plant... can anyone suggest a good hardy plant that will thrive in a bowl? I don't think the Hygrophilia or Camomba I have in my tank will do....

hornwort? I hear this is actually a difficult plant?

 

[Raechal]

What about a nice java fern? I have one in my 1.5 gallon bowl and my betta loves resting on the gravel underneath the big leaves. Or try some moneywort. I keep that in a few of my betta tanks as well and it grows fine in the bowl I had it in.

 

[BettaMomma]

I have moneywort and mondo grass in my tank.
The mondo isn't very thick so it won't do them a whole lot of good, as they won't be able to hide in it, but moneywort is fine!
I've heard it does a number on algae too - that's why I picked it.

And be warned - once you get your first betta, you'll NEVER STOP!!!

 

[BettaMomma]

What about a nice java fern? I have one in my 1.5 gallon bowl and my betta loves resting on the gravel underneath the big leaves. Or try some moneywort. I keep that in a few of my betta tanks as well and it grows fine in the bowl I had it in.

How do you handle water chagnes with the plant in the tank?
Just take it out when you do water changes?
i've been wanting to put a real plant in some of my guys' tanks but with the water changes I wasn't sure how to go about that...

 

[Raechal]

What about a nice java fern? I have one in my 1.5 gallon bowl and my betta loves resting on the gravel underneath the big leaves. Or try some moneywort. I keep that in a few of my betta tanks as well and it grows fine in the bowl I had it in.

How do you handle water chagnes with the plant in the tank?
Just take it out when you do water changes?
i've been wanting to put a real plant in some of my guys' tanks but with the water changes I wasn't sure how to go about that...

I have a piece of java fern that has grown REALLY good roots and it is a really hardy plant. I just take it out of the bowl while I am rinsing and cleaning it, and then stick it back in after I get the water about half-way full. I got rid of the moneywort in the bowl as it was too frustrating planting it back down all the time. One piece would pop up after I spent 20 minutes trying to bury it in the gravel. So the money wort is in the divided 10 gallon where I can just syphon the water out and leave the plants planted.

 

[laboul]

hmmmm, these are good suggestions. do you guys have a light over your tank? I just remembered I don't plan to use one, unless I really need it. I guess I can't expect a plant to survive without a light....

BettaMomma - I'm already visualizing my desk with bowls everywhere.... it's really bad. My boyfriend is gong to kill me, I got into fish about 3 months ago and it's a total obsession now. But I like the challenge.

And do they need a plant near the top to make bubblenests?

 

[BettaMomma]

BettaMomma - I'm already visualizing my desk with bowls everywhere.... it's really bad. My boyfriend is gong to kill me, I got into fish about 3 months ago and it's a total obsession now. But I like the challenge.

And do they need a plant near the top to make bubblenests?

I'm assuming you saw my picture of my tanks at my desk? LOL
Well I have another one on there now with my little tail-less guy.
My boyfriend told me the other night that our apartment is starting to look like a zoo.

We have 8 bettas and 2 guinea pigs, all except 1 is in our living room. heh heh

For a bubblenest - they like to have a plant or something to rest in near the top. Somewhere that they can feel comfortable hanging out and just relaxing in. Silk, plants seem to be a big hit.

 

[Raechal]

hmmmm, these are good suggestions. do you guys have a light over your tank? I just remembered I don't plan to use one, unless I really need it. I guess I can't expect a plant to survive without a light....

BettaMomma - I'm already visualizing my desk with bowls everywhere.... it's really bad. My boyfriend is gong to kill me, I got into fish about 3 months ago and it's a total obsession now. But I like the challenge.

And do they need a plant near the top to make bubblenests?

I don't have lights in any of my betta's tanks. I do however, have a lamp sitting behind my divided 10 gallon so it gets efficient light, and my 1.5 gallon bowl and 1 gallon tank are on a stand that has a light right above it, so they all get pretty good light.

 

[laboul]

OK! I will post pics one of these days my ten gallon is cycled after I seed the bowl!

Yes, BettaMomma, I did see the tanks on your desk. What a hoot. And you have EIGHT at home! Wow.