Try for the "blackwater" look

[fluttermoth]

Oh, he is a beauty! I'm not surprised you couldn't resist

 

[NickAu]

I love crowntails, what a handsome boy.

 

[Demeter32]

He's learned to beg for food already, such a smart fish I'm almost tempted to see if he will spawn with the female crown tail, but they might not make pretty babies. She's pretty much black but hey, I think they'd make a stunningly contrasting pair.

 

[NickAu]

I'm preping for a water change on my Bettas tanks, Thats the water I will add to the tank. There is a heater in there as well.

 

[Demeter32]

I see you've already added your black water extract. I've just been adding a little after a water change, but I only use it for the other betta tanks. The chunk of driftwood more than makes up for me not adding some to this tank. I plan on doing a water change tomorrow and moving the pleco and corries out while I'm at it

 

[NickAu]

Yes This way I can control everything.

10 liters of de-chlorinated water
2 Indian almond leaves
A shot glass of peat moss ( in a fine mesh bag)
Put in heater set at 75deg F
Put in Power head and run the whole thing for 24 hours
Add to tank,

 

[Demeter32]

I'm guessing you add the almond leaves to the tank as well?

 

[NickAu]

Yes, It gives the shrimp food and shelter.

Sorry water is a bit cloudy because of the conditioner I use it will clear up in an hour or so.
Easy-Life Filter Medium — English

My Banana Lilly is doing great have a look at all the roots on the right side. The little plate is my shrimp feeding station, saves food from getting in the gravel.

 

[NickAu]

Water has cleared up a lot already.
http://www.fishforums.net/threads/betta-being-a-betta.442007/page-3

 

[Demeter32]

Very happy shrimp. I've been wanting to get a small starter colony but I don't want the other fish to wipe them out. I might get some for my next project, but that's after the rest of the cichlid fry are big enough to be sold or added to the main tank. I really want to do a planted black water setting in the 29, but it's going have to wait...

 

[Demeter32]

New pictures, I also attached some java moss to the wood, but it's hard to see.


He's made a small bubble nest under this leaf

 

[NickAu]

Bettas love making bubble nests under floating leaves and stuff

 

[Demeter32]

Mr. Betta, who I have decided to name Grey is happy as ever. I floated a female in his tank for a while to get him to flare up again. If my female CT ever starts getting fat with eggs I might try spawning them.


I'm not noticing much difference in his coloration, he's still young though so maybe he'll look different in another month or two. I almost thought I had lost one of the male peppered corries. I couldn't find him anywhere in the tank so I assumed he jumped out. Looked all over and didn't find him. Came back a few hours later to feed them and there he was, swimming around. He must of been up in the driftwood

 

[NickAu]

Just do not go out because if you do I will come to your house and steal Grey

 

[Demeter32]

If you steal him, I will hunt you down. He is my aquatic child and you shall not have him