Reddit mentions: The best aquarium decor
We found 1,095 Reddit comments discussing the best aquarium decor. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 375 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
1. CaribSea Eco-Complete 20-Pound Planted Aquarium, Black
- Complete substrate for freshwater planted aquariums
- Contains major and minor trace elements to nourish aquarium plants
- Substrate encourages healthy plant root growth
Features:
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 2 Inches |
Length | 18 Inches |
Weight | 20 Pounds |
Width | 12 Inches |
Size | 20 POUNDS |
Number of items | 1 |
2. Zoo Med Floating Betta Log
- Make your Betta Happy. Helps relieve boredom from captivity.
- Comes complete with top feeding hole
- For use in a minimum 2 gallon Betta enclosure
- Helps relieve boredom from captivity.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 7 Inches |
Length | 6 Inches |
Weight | 0.36 Pounds |
Width | 4 Inches |
Size | 2 oz. |
Number of items | 1 |
3. Zoo Med Laboratories AZMBL20 Betta Hammock
- A naturalistic leaf hammock for your Betta to rest on
- The perfect resting hammock for your natural look aquarium
- Attach near the top of your Betta's tank using the enclosed suction cup
- Allows your Betta to rest near the surface of the water just like they do in nature
- Zoo Med Laboratories Betta Hammock
- A naturalistic leaf hammock for your Betta to rest on
- Attaches to Betta Enclosure with suction cup (included)
Features:
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 0.02 Inches |
Length | 0.02 Inches |
Weight | 0.02 Pounds |
Width | 0.02 Inches |
Size | Medium |
Number of items | 1 |
4. 6 Marimo Moss Ball Variety Pack - 4 Different Sizes of Premium Quality Marimo from Giant 2.25 Inch to Small 1 Inch - World's Easiest Live Aquarium Plant - Sustainably Harvested and All-Natural
STRAIGHT FROM US TO YOU: Other sellers often attempt to sell marimo through fulfillment services that keep your plants in a dark, dry box for 2-5 weeks. If it says "Sold by *** and Fulfilled by ***" under the price, that means the plants are being shipped from a fulfillment center instead of directl...
5. Seachem Flourite Black Clay Gravel - Stable Porous Natural Planted Aquarium Substrate 15.4 lbs
GRAVEL: Seachem Flourite Black is a specially fracted stable porous clay gravel for the natural planted aquarium. Its appearance is best suited to planted aquaria, but may be used in any freshwater aquarium environment.AQUARIUM BED: Gravel modifiers such as laterite are not necessary when using Seac...
Specs:
Color | RED |
Height | 1.75 Inches |
Length | 17 Inches |
Weight | 2 Pounds |
Width | 11.75 Inches |
Size | 15.4 lbs |
Number of items | 1 |
6. Kaytee Chinchilla Chiller Granite Stone - 100079176
- Made of granite stone to keep chinchillas cool and healthy
- Can be placed anywhere inside chinchilla's home
- 6-Inch long, 10-inch wide
Features:
Specs:
Color | Gray |
Height | 9.87 Inches |
Length | 0.37 Inches |
Weight | 3.225 Pounds |
Width | 6 Inches |
Size | 6 Inches x 10 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
7. SunGrow Aquarium Temple Plant Seeds, 0.4 Ounce, Improves Water Color and Quality, Easy to Grow with Minimal Maintenance, Vibrant Green Tropical Hygrophila Plant for Freshwater Fish Tanks, 1 Pack
✔ BEAUTIFUL, BRIGHTLY COLORED AQUATIC PLANT --- Native to South-East Asia, the vibrant green giant hygrophila is commonly used in aquascaping for many reasons besides its natural beauty. The reasonable hardiness and stem reaching to 1.5-3 inches wide and 10-15 inches high make this live aquarium t...
Specs:
Weight | 0.02 Pounds |
Number of items | 1 |
8. Marina Ecoscaper, Hydrocotyle, Silk Plant Fish Tank Decoration, 8-inch, PP187A1
- Hydrocotyle silk plant aquarium decoration for aquatic environments undulates with currents
- Natural-looking translucent colors closely mimic live aquarium plants and won't fade
- Easy to install and secure, to stand up in fish tank simply bury base in aquarium gravel
- Made of safe, non-toxic silk material that will not affect aquarium water chemistry
- Medium fish tank decoration measures 8 inches tall (20.32 cm)
Features:
Specs:
Height | 2 Inches |
Length | 10 Inches |
Weight | 0.02 Pounds |
Width | 4 Inches |
Size | 8 inches height |
9. biOrb Silk Plant Set Medium Green & Purple
- Use these beautiful, silky plants to add color and dimension to your aquarium.
- Ideal silk plants for fish with delicate fins.
- Compatible with Freshwater/Saltwater/Tropical aquarium set ups.
- Item Package weight : 0.25 pounds
Features:
Specs:
Color | Purple/Green |
Height | 1.75 Inches |
Length | 13.75 Inches |
Weight | 0.25 Pounds |
Width | 4.75 Inches |
Size | Medium |
Number of items | 1 |
10. Flourite, 7 kg / 15.4 lbs
- Rinse right in the bag
- All natural Porous clay
- For Planted Aquarium
- No laterite needed
Features:
Specs:
Color | White |
Height | 1.75 Inches |
Length | 17 Inches |
Weight | 16 Pounds |
Width | 11.75 Inches |
Size | 7 kg/15.4 lb |
Number of items | 1 |
11. Luffy Coco Philippines Java Fern: Live Aquatic Plant with 10+ Leaves : Provides a Natural Environment for Your Fish: Easy Care: Hardy Plant with Longevity: Bring More Color to Your Aquascape
Specs:
Height | 1.97 Inches |
Length | 7 Inches |
Width | 5 Inches |
12. Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum, For Fish Tanks, 8.8 lbs.,
Fluval Stratum is made of mineral rich volcanic soilStimulates strong aquarium plant growthPromotes neutral to mildly acidic pHSuitable for live plants or shrimp8.8 lb. bag
Specs:
Color | Stratum |
Height | 15 Inches |
Length | 3 Inches |
Weight | 8.81849048 Pounds |
Width | 8 Inches |
Size | 8.8 lb. |
Number of items | 1 |
13. BEGONDIS Aquarium Decorations 3Pcs Fish Tank Artificial Green Water Plants Made of Silk Fabrics Plastic, Safe for All Fish & Pets
- GORGEOUS GREEN COLOR --- The Life-like BEGONDIS silk fabics plastic water plant is made from a vibrant bright green. The color will not fade.
- NATURAL ENVIRONMENT --- Your fish will enjoy the environment that these plants provide. They can swim and hide through the leaves of this silk fabrics plastic water plant.
- SIZEZ & WEIGHT (PER PIECE) --- 11.8" x 6.7" /30 x 17cm(H*W), 1.42oz /40g.
- 3 PIECES PER PACK --- 3 x Aquarium Silk Fabrics Plastic Plants, 5 leaves per piece.
- NOTE --- This aquarium plant CAN NOT be trimmed.
Features:
Specs:
Color | 11" * 3 Pcs, Green |
Height | 11.1 Inches |
Length | 6.7 Inches |
Weight | 0.26 Pounds |
Width | 1.2 Inches |
Size | 11" * 3 PCS |
14. GloFish Aquarium Gravel 5 Pounds, Black with Fluorescent Accents, Complements Tanks
aquarium GRAVEL: GloFish aquarium Gravel creates a colorful base for all your GloFish ornaments.RANGE OF COLORS: Choose pink, green, white, black with fluorescent accents, or a mix of colors.BASK IN THE GLOW: Fluorescent-accented gravel stands out under GloFish blue LED lights.HIGHLIGHTS YOUR TANK: ...
15. Penn-Plax Officially Licensed Nickelodeon SpongeBob Aquarium Ornament – Squidward’s Easter Island Home - Full Color 6.5” Decoration
- OFFICIALLY LICENSED: This aquarium ornament is great for anyone who loves the hit Nickelodeon show, SpongeBob! Enjoy the magical world of Bikini Bottom within your fish tank.
- MADE OF SAFE AND DURABLE RESIN: Our aquarium ornaments are inspected with your fish’s safety in mind. The material used is safe for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. Each decoration has a sturdy base. There’s no need to worry about it floating around once you place it underwater.
- SUPER SIMPLE TO CLEAN: Simply wipe down and rinse off the aquarium ornament with warm water when you are cleaning out your tank. Never use soap, as the residual soap particles can harm your fish.
- HOME TO SQUIDWARD Q. TENTACLES: Perfect for adults and children! This fun aquarium decoration will instantly add magic to your tank! Most small and medium fish can fit inside, allowing them to swim in and around it. This helps reduce fish boredom!
- MEASUREMENTS: Squidward’s house measures approximately 3.5” (W) x 3” (D) x 6.5” (H). It will fit easily in almost any fish tank sitting at home. It’s designed to be the perfect accent to any aquarium, regardless of size. Get creative!
Features:
Specs:
Color | Multicolor |
Height | 3 Inches |
Length | 6.5 Inches |
Weight | 0.4 Pounds |
Width | 3 Inches |
Size | 6.4 OZ |
Number of items | 1 |
16. Senzeal 2X Crystal Glass Aquatic Plant Cup Pot with 4X Suction Cups for Fish Tank Aquarium Aquascape
Made of high quality crystal glass, strong and durable.Pot bottom with permeable holes, comes with 4 suction cups.Double suction cup design can hang the plant glass pot on the aquarium tank.Great decoration for shrimp or planted tanks.Planted plants is great decoration for tanks. Add a natural feeli...
Specs:
Weight | 0.42 Pounds |
17. Nature's Ocean 12-Inch Coral Base Rocks for Aquarium, 40-Pound
- Aquarium Decorations used for Conserving Natural Reefs
- Perfect for Coral Farming, Culturing Live Rocks & Growing Live Coral
- Rapidly adapts to live environment & Will not affect the cycling of your tank
- Naturally porous Biological Filter, Free of Biofilm & Perfect for aquascaping
- Soaked in deep water well to prevent leeching
Features:
Specs:
Color | white |
Height | 7 Inches |
Length | 19.5 Inches |
Weight | 40 Pounds |
Width | 11 Inches |
18. 4 LUFFY Giant Marimo Moss Balls --- Aesthetically Beautiful & Create Healthy Environment - Low-Maintenance - Suit All aquarium sizes - Shrimps & Snails Love Them
BRING HOME A LIVE PLANT THAT BENEFITS YOUR AQUARIUM --- The 4 LUFFY Giant Moss Balls are live plants. Fish excreta, debris, phosphate, and ammonia disturbs the natural ecosystem of the water tank. These balls help in creating a thriving atmosphere for the aquatic species.NO SPECIAL FOOD REQUIREMENTS...
19. Zoo Med African Mopani Wood, Medium (Sizes May Vary)
- Mopani Wood has been sandblasted clean and is ready to be added to your terrarium.
- For use in aquariums, remember all natural wood leaches tannins, which discolor water and reduce pH levels.
- Adding extra carbon to your aquarium filter can help remove any remaining discoloration.
- This is an all Natural Item sizes may vary
Features:
Specs:
Height | 3.4 Inches |
Length | 13.5 Inches |
Weight | 1.55 Pounds |
Width | 4.3 Inches |
Size | Medium |
Number of items | 1 |
20. Aquarium Plants Factory Anubias Nana Petite On Driftwood - Freshwater Live Aquarium Plants
You will get 1 Anubias Nana 'Petite' on Driftwood. (Approx. 2-3 inches in size)Easy to move around in the aquarium without disturbing fish or substrateAnubias are hardy and easy plant and they grow in almost any aquarium environmentWe offer High Quality Aquarium Plants that grow with love in Califor...
Specs:
Size | Approx. 1-2 inches in size |
🎓 Reddit experts on aquarium decor
The comments and opinions expressed on this page are written exclusively by redditors. To provide you with the most relevant data, we sourced opinions from the most knowledgeable Reddit users based the total number of upvotes and downvotes received across comments on subreddits where aquarium decor are discussed. For your reference and for the sake of transparency, here are the specialists whose opinions mattered the most in our ranking.
Check out some pictures in my profile of the 10 gallon I have set up. Here's what I would do if I were you. Can you start fresh? Here's what to do:
Buy one 15 pound bag of Seachem Flourite substrate. It comes in many colors, I prefer black. It comes in gravel type and sand type. I personally started w/ gravel type but the sand type is more fun, in my opinion. I added sand on top of my gravel afterwards and it will stay only because I already have plants established. But when I move everyone to a 20long or 29 in the near future, I would just use the sand. Just REMEMBER TO WASH IT THOROUGHLY! It is VERY dusty. But this stuff is worth it, I promise. Your plants will grow 10x better than if you used regular gravel or regular sand. This is the only stuff I'll use for planted tanks. It holds onto some nutrients and helps bring it to plant roots. It's inert, so it won't change your ph. And it NEVER breaks down, unlike most of the other good plant substrates, which have to be replaced every 1-3 years. So it's the best choice imo. It is economical, compared to other plant substrates. It will help you achieve success with your plants.
For plants, I recommend a few basic ones to start out with, bulletproof. You should buy as many plants as you can physically fit in your tank, they will do better that way. You can get the following at most pet stores too. Anubias and java fern have what's called a rhizome and you should superglue it to driftwood, rocks, or decorations. Lots of Youtube vids of this for inspiration. And Amazon sword (echinodorus) a root feeder which won't do as good in gravel, but does awesome in Flourite and looks beautiful when it's grown in. Jungle Val (vallisneria) is a long, grassy looking plant which is a great filler plant. Cryptocorne (wendtii and parva are a couple I love) give some nice variation in heigh and texture. And red dwarf lily, which comes as a bulb, is a beautiful red plant with big drapey leaves and it sends lily pads to the surface. All of these are easy growers. Throw a root tab deep under the substrate every few months (i use 2 broken in half, four pieces, as a 10 gallon isn't very big. Api brand or Flourish tabs are p good)
And the other part of the equation for plants to thrive is light. You can go basic for this or fancy, it doesn't really matter. Just find an LED light between $15-50 that has good reviews and fits your tank, it will probably have enough light for the plants I recommended above. Please get a timer to set your light to be consistent. You can set the timer for 5-8 hours at first so algae doesn't have as much a chance to grow, but if you stuff your aquarium with plants, you will have easier time with that. They will outcompete most algae in the right cases.
You will have to cycle the tank, I hope you know about this but if not please research the nitrogen cycle as it is crucial to the health of your tank. Get an API freshwater master test kit and do frequent water changes if you do fish-in cycle.
For fish, a few you can get at pet stores are:
For a centerpiece fish, imo a betta is the best easy and fun option. Only 1 to a tank. My heart belongs to my female betta Serafina, she is amazing, the queen of her 10 gallon. I would get one with short fins, a king betta, or a female, please, because they do better with the bigger space, the ones with long flowing fins are fighting against the weight of them and can have a hard time in a 10. But a plakat or female will be sharky and awesome to watch. Sometimes they are aggressive to tankmates, but if you set the tank up as thickly planted as i suggest, they usually do quite well with the right tank mates. Usually, this means bottom feeders. You have a few options.
Pygmy corydoras, you can start with 4 and have up to 6 or 7 maximum, start with a lower number and add a few more after a couple weeks if you do the fish-in cycle. They are really fun little fish who are quite active when they are in a proper group, easy to keep, and really fun.
You can do otocinclus instead of corydoras. I would suggest not, because they need a well seasoned tank with a good amount of algae and biofilm and can be challenging to keep. Nevertheless, I have 5 of these in my 10gal and they do awesome. 3 females, 2 males. They are fat, peaceful, happy, and mine have some iridescence to them since they grew up nice and healthy. I love them!
With either betta and corydoras or otocinclus, doesnt matter, you can also have up to 3 mystery snails in your tank if your filtration is really really really good. These guys are a little messy and can get big but they are amazing! Only pick really active ones, if they are all lazy at the store get different ones or wait for another shipment. They have so much character and can get as big as like, a lemon! I have 3 beautiful grey ones in my 10gal, and in my 5.5 gallon amano shrimp and wild female betta tank I have 1 ivory colored and 1 golden colored mysteries. In my Fluval Spec V, I have 1 black mystery snail. They are really really cool and I would be sad to have a tank without them.
And that is a good complete stocking for your tank. I also have red cherry shrimp in my 10, but those can be hard to find. If you want, you can add some of those or amano shrimp.
My 10 gallon is a blast to watch and it's because I set myself up for success from the beginning. I never get bored, it's like a whole ecosystem and there's always something cute or funny going on! My tankmates get along really well, and often hang out together, it is really fascinating.
Equipment: IMO aquaclears are the best HOB filter. Canister filters are a little more expensive and can be a little more difficult than HOBs at first as far as cleaning and setting up. However, they are superior to HOBs in most ways. Eheim and fluval make great canisters, then sunsun have been hit or miss from what I've heard.
I suggest getting two heaters, one on each side of the tank. That way if one fails your fish won't be fried or frozen.
Substrate: pool filter sand is easy and cheap, it can grow plants fine if you use root tabs. You can try the walstad method, which involves putting down a layer of organic potting soil then capping it with sand. It is cheap and very effective for growing plants if done right. The downfall is that it can be messy and its very very hard to rescape. Other options are plant substrates. Eco complete and flourite are two decent substrates for growing plants, moderately priced too. If you have extra money to spend then you can use some type of aquasoil. ADA, Mr. Aqua, ST are all high quality plant substrates, but again pricey.
Lighting: Finnex makes great LEDs for growing plants, a little expensive, but they are very good. For 20" height, the planted+ or original Fugeray should be fine without CO2 and not promote too much algae.
Plants: For plants, you probably won't be able to carpet dwarf baby tears without a strong LED and pressurized CO2. You can do a dwarf hair grass carpet, but it might go slowly without investing in a good light. aquaswap is a great place to buy plants. Butteredscrimp puts out a monthly sale and can help you assemble a plant package. I can vouch for him as being reliable. Just have to give him a price range, some details about your tank such as lighting and size, and some plants you like!
Decorations: Driftwood is a great way to fill space and make your tank feel a little more natural. Spider wood and manzanita are my favorite. Check your LFS to see if they have any pieces you like first. If not, there are several good places you can get driftwood online. Driftwood will release tannins (won't harm fish) into your tank when placed in water and might take a while to sink depending on the piece. I suggest putting it in while your tank is cycling.
You can also go with rocks/stones. They should be scrubbed under hot water before going into the tank. Some rocks can break down and affect your water chemistry. To test if they will you can do the vinegar test. Take the rock and add a few drops of vinegar or a stronger acid. If it fizzles or bubbles then it should not be placed in the tank because it can raise the pH of the water.
Fish: For shrimp amano shrimp are great, they eat hair algae and scavenge leftovers. They won't breed in freshwater though. Red cherry shrimp come in different grades (all very attractive) and are a relatively easy shrimp to keep, they will breed like crazy if provided an adequate environment The babies will be small and can/will be eaten by most fish.
For snails, nerite snails are regarded as some of the best algae eaters, won't reproduce in freshwater, and they are very cool looking. But female snails will leave unattractive, hard to remove, white eggs everywhere. You need a metal blade to scrape them off. u/gastropoid is your go to for snail info.
For a schooling fish you can go big or small. some of my favorite bigger schooling fish include congo tetras and bosemani rainbowfish. There are lots of other good sized rainbowfish if you decide to go that direction. Some popular small schooling fish include harlequin rasboras, neon tetras, cardinal tetras, and rummy nose tetras. Other tetras and rasboras will work too! Some rasboras are tiny though, maxing out at about 1 inch so those are a little less compatible usually. Barbs are another good schooling fish, but they can be nippy and semi-aggressive. Otocinclus are a schooling fish, but they are algae eaters and can be a little sensitive when brought into a new tank.
Fish I would avoid are common plecos, they get massive. And chinese/siamese algae eaters. They are fantastic algae eaters as juveniles, but they become aggressive when they grow up.
final thoughts: if you're going planted, look into EI dosing and root tabs, it will help plants thrive. You said you have experience with freshwater tanks so I assume you know about the nitrogen cycle and fishless cycling. If you don't there is a site under the helpful links tab at the top of the page. Look through the other links there too! great information. Visit plantedtank for more plant info, inspiration, and guides.
Good luck!
>My friends got their first betta fish (male lunar flare) today on a whim
That's not really a good thing actually, getting a fish before having an established nitrogen cycle in a tank of appropriate size could be harmful to the health of the betta as ammonia and nitrite can build up in an uncycled tank especially a smaller tank, but it's not too late to fix if the friend will be super diligent with Fish-In Cycling. A 5g tank is the recommended minimum here, so I hope your friend has a 5g tank for the betta or will consider getting one asap.
Please read & share: https://www.reddit.com/r/bettafish/comments/c8evu4/nitrogen_cycle_art_by_me/
This is FISHLESS cycling - The Nitrogen Cycle and the Fishless Cycle - getting your aquarium ready for fish - INJAF
FISH-IN cycling, which is now what your friend has to do: https://www.reddit.com/r/bettafish/wiki/fishincycle
In a 5g tank it would be 30% partial water change EVERY OTHER DAY, and frequent water testing with API Freshwater Master Test Kit - test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrAte. https://www.amazon.com/API-FRESHWATER-800-Test-Freshwater-Aquarium/dp/B000255NCI/ <--- ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE, VERY IMPORTANT, liquid water parameters test kit. Three main things to check daily or every-other-day: Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate. Not cycled will read 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite, 0 Nitrate. Cycling in progress will read some ammonia and/or some nitrite, but little or no nitrate. Fully Cycled will read 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite, and 5-10 ppm of Nitrate, then when nitrate reaches 15-20 ppm in a cycled tank a water change is necessary to reduce said nitrates.
Seachem Prime to dechlorinate, and Seachem Stability to add beneficial bacteria directly to the filter, filter media and tank water to help boost the nitrogen cycle.
This is the tank I recommend, if the friend is currently keeping the betta in less than 5g: https://www.petsmart.com/fish/starter-kits/top-fin-essentials-aquarium-starter-kit-5262256.html
>- They didn't get him anything to hide behind, but after some quick research they realized he needs something. There is a layer of small pebbles on the bottom of the tank and one small leafy plant that doesn't provide a lot coverage but its something. Are there any household items that are safe to put in the tank for a few days so he has a place to hide and doesn't get stressed?
I wouldn't risk putting random household items into the tank... Silk Plants and/or live aquarium plants would be best, and bettas like a jungle of plants rather than a lot of open water.
Biorb Silk plants are pretty great: https://www.amazon.com/biOrb-Silk-Plant-small-green/dp/B003BG2TEA & https://www.amazon.com/biOrb-Silk-Plant-small-green/dp/B003KGBJ06
There are also many easy beginner live plants:
Java Fern (don't bury the bulby rhizome roots), Marimo Moss balls, Java moss, to name a few.
&#x200B;
>- They read betta fish don't like bright lights.
I would only leave the tank lights on for 6-8 hours per day MAX, any more than that and you'll get an algae bloom + bettas do still need a day and a night cycle.
&#x200B;
>- The PetCo guy recommended they buy Omega One brand pellets. They plan to feed him 3 times a day as instructed on the bottle.
Omega one brand is ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE w/ not 1, not 2, but 3 nasty toxic preservatives, 2 of the 3 preservatives are known to cause cancers (BHT & BHA). Don't feed "as much as betta can eat in x-number of minutes" (if that's what the bottle says) - more details & photo reference on how much to feed betta given below...Works for all types of betta food + bettas of all juvenile/adult sizes (not sure about baby bettas/betta fry).
NorthFin Betta Bits, Fluval/Nutrafin Bug Bites, and New Life Spectrum Betta are HIGH quality betta pellets with good ingredients and little or none of the bad filler crap or nasty preservatives.
Hikari Bloodworms are great as a treat/diet variety as they add vitamins to their bloodworms, and ZooMed Betta Dial-A-Treat is nice for a 3-in-1 treat wheel container.
I'd recommend getting at least two different brands of the pellets I linked below + some variety of treats like bloodworms, mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Alternate them day by day, meal by meal or otherwise mix them up such that the betta isn't always eating only the same thing day in and day out for every single meal.
- https://www.amazon.com/Northfin-Food-Betta-Pellet-Package/dp/B00M4Q5DQ4/ <-- my favorite go-to betta pellet
- https://www.amazon.com/New-Life-Spectrum-Betta-70g/dp/B077MG4JR2/
- https://www.amazon.com/Fluval-A6577-Tropical-Granules-Medium/dp/B07194GD1F/
- Bloodworms with vitamins added: https://www.amazon.com/Hikari-Bio-Pure-Freeze-Dried-0-42-Ounce/dp/B00025K1GQ/
- ZooMed Betta Dial-A-Treat is a decent 3-in-1 treat wheel container which has 3 different treats for betta diet variety. https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Laboratories-AZMBP5-0-12-Ounce/dp/B003ZWCTZO/
- You can also try adding a vitamin drops to the food AND tank water - VitaChem Freshwater - Vitamin drops for aquatic animals - REFRIGERATION needed after first use/opening, to keep the liquid vitamin drops fresh. https://www.amazon.com/Boyd-Enterprises-ABE16708-Freshwater-Vitachem/dp/B00BS96V78
Beware of overfeeding, which is equally bad for bettas as underfeeding (they are gluttons and would eat till they burst if given the chance) https://i.imgur.com/4RR2LZ9.jpg. (save this pic for reference, feed betta as much as makes his belly match between 1st and 2nd photo, then let him digest back down to a normal belly before feed again.)
&#x200B;
>- Lastly, they are concerned about a strange red growth on the right side of his head
I'm sorry, I can't make it out much from the grainy photo quality... Most betta illnesses stem from bad water quality, so your friend needs to take action to upgrade the tank if possible (assuming current tank is less than 5g, or less than absolute bare minimum of 3.5g) and get super diligent on FISH-IN cycling.
Please have your friend thoroughly read the articles provided by the community, I think there's a lot more your friend could learn, so he/she can give the betta the best quality of life: https://www.reddit.com/r/bettafish/wiki/index
He is sooo pretty! That said, the commenters above are right, and he'll really pop and bring lots of wiggles and joy to your family in a larger tank with a heater and a gentle filter.
I would reccommend an adjustable heater so you have more control over the temperature, and remember that you get what you pay for! Ive cheaped out on heaters more times than I care to admit and Ive regretted it every time :(
I would also recommend a gentle filter like a sponge filter since bettas arent great swimmers. Keep in mind that you'll need to get the sponge filter, an air pump, and airline tubing all separately, but the total cost should come to about that of an average hang-on-back filter.
In regards to fish-in cycling, he will be okay. Get a liquid test kit (avoid strips, as they're so inaccurate they're basically useless), then move him in into a bigger tank w/ heater and filter asap and do frequent water changes and testing. It will probably take about a month to establish a healthy bacteria colony, but your fishie will be fine as long as you stay on top of water changes.
Once your cycle is finished, you can reduce water changes to once weekly.
EDIT: Also note that plastic plants are sharp and can hurt a betta's delicate fins! Try to stick to silk or live plants. Bettas love live java fern and anubias plants because of the big, broad leaves for them to rest on. Plus, these plants are super easy to take care of.
If you're not at all interested in live plant care, try BiOrb silk plants. Theyre SUPER duper soft and the green ones have a pretty natural look to them. You can find them here on Amazon.
Good luck taking care of your new buddy! He is such a cute little fishie! Keep us updated on how hes doing! 💖
/r/plantedtank is a great resource. I will share my personal experience with you to help you avoid some of the pitfalls I experienced.
If you have any more questions let me know. Hope this helps.
Your fish will be okay with non ideal conditions for awhile, bettas are hearty fish! (Shame on your friend for the gift but good for you for trying to give this guy the best possible life!!)
For plants make sure you get silk plants, I’d recommend https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ASDIY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_n2SQCbA3CNS37 from Amazon.
They are super soft and I haven’t found a better plant for $3 :)
A great live plant is a “Moss Ball” they are sold at most pet stores and are great for Bettas!
Best of luck to you!!
If a fish is inactive, it usually means they don't have enough room to swim around and explore. 5 gallons is beautiful for a betta, you should do a 5 gallon with live plants, it's beautiful to look at! If you're concerned about price as well, here are some good options:
All in all, you're looking at ~$107 for a better tank for your fish, or ~$53 for just the basic set up (minus the live plants/plant supporting substrate). If you want lighting, I've heard that basic desk lamps like this one work great in lieu of expensive LED setups.
OR
You can buy a Fluval Spec V, they're on sale for $59.99 and come with a filter, lighting, lid, etc. All you would need is substrate and a heater.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Hello! I love bettas! They are awesome fish to upkeep! They also have the most interesting personalities! (I swear the one I have in my bedroom stares at me sometimes when he's extra hungry)
I actually recently started a planted tank back in December 2014 and purchased from two separate sellers on Amazon since I live in an area where aquatic plants are not sold. Here's what I got:
Hope this helps you. I'd encourage you to read the reviews on Amazon as well for these products - I trust the reviews of previous purchasers a lot more than what the company itself says as they often provide insight into the company's business procedure as well.
EDIT: I also tried purchasing plants from an international seller on eBay (read: like halfway around the world). Not sure how it made it through customs, but it took like 3 weeks to get to me. Don't make that mistake. If you won't be receiving your plants within a week or so of purchasing, look elsewhere. Reputable sellers will either use Prime on Amazon or at the least be VERY open with you as to how you will be receiving your item. Both of the sellers I shared with you above do one of these and I was very happy with the service I received from both.
[Anubias] (http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/plantfinder/images/Araceae/Anubiasbarterivrnana.jpg) are the easiest ones to care for--I've had mine for years and until recently they've never had any special plant lighting. There are tons of different types but most sold in the pet stores are easy. With proper light they will grow bigger and more lush, but with regular light they will survive just fine. Tie the rhizome to a rock or even a decoration and that's literally it. The roots will work their way down eventually. If you can get some floating plants that is great for them, too (frogbit, dwarf water lettuce). Plants take in the nitrates so they look pretty, provide shelter and hiding and help keep the water clean. If you don't do that, do silk plants. They are a bit more expensive but zero maintenance. I have both types in one of my tanks and the betta likes them both but hangs out in the floating plants more.
If you see your betta laying down on a leaf (silk or live) he's probably just resting. [Betta hammocks] (http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Laboratories-AZMBL20-Hammock/dp/B0027IZ6KW) are great for that, too. It gives them a resting spot when they go to the surface for air. some bettas ignore them, others love them like crazy.
$16.86|Appalachian Emporium's Super Mix Live Fresh Moss for Terrariums, Vivariums, Bath Mats, Garden, Flower Pots|
$2.99|Marineland Black Diamond Media Premium Activated Carbon|
$23.09|Terrarium &amp; Fairy Garden Plants - 8 Plants in 2.5 (Is Approximately 4 to 6 Inches Height of the Plant)|
$17.98|Temperate Springtail (Collembola) Culture (32 oz)|
$8.95|Luffy Coco Mini Moss - Builds a Beautiful and Natural Aquascape: Easy Care, Hardy and Long Lasting Plant: Filters and Provides Aquariums with Oxygen|
$12.54|Green Creeping Fig 2 Plants - Ficus -2" Pot - Houseplant/Terrarium/Fairy Garden|
$13.68|Anubias Nana Petite On Driftwood - Freshwater Live Aquarium Plants by Aquarium Plants Factory|
~$4 (use coupons!)|Glass bulbs (2) @ Michaels|
~$5|Glass Jar @ TJ-Maxx|
~$3|Glass Cork @ Michaels|
~$5|Other glass bottle w/ cap|
~$7| Big Mason Jar|
Free|Driftwood, rocks, etc|
$1.99|Pack of Tweezers|
~$10 w coupons|4 Pebbles & Fine "grain" rocks @ Michaels|
~$9.99|Exo-Terra Plantation Soil @ Petco|
~$5| Nature-Care Organic and Natural Pot Soil @ Home Depot|
$7.25| Screen-door Mesh for filter|
$3.99 w coupons|Twine @ Michaels|
Overall Price| ~ $158.31|
Water parameters are super important! You can pick up a testing kit on Amazon for a good ten dollars cheaper than I've seen in stores, and I can't even begin to tell you how much of a lifesaver it is! ( Also it's just good to have for peace of mind. )
I was really new to keeping a fish tank when I first got my guy, and quickly learned aquarium decor is ridiculously expensive. Terra cotta pots are a pain to find on Amazon in my experience, but if you have the opportunity to pick a few up in a gardening store ( basically for pennies! ) they make excellent hides. ( Of which you want at least two per axolotl! ) I have four in my tank; two normal, one sliced in half to make a kind of cave a bit lower to the ground. ( Just make sure you sand down all the edges! ) The last one is wide, but only a couple inches tall, so I filled it up with sand to give him a little raised platform. PVC pipe can also be used as an inexpensive hide, and I've seen people do some really cool stuff with it. Also, plants! I grabbed these off of Amazon and my axolotl loves them, but in terms of live plants, you can't go wrong with marimo balls. ( Though there are other live plants that work well with them! Java fern and java moss are just two examples. )
Also, Axolotls are messy little guys. I'd highly recommend getting a turkey baster to clean up their waste and any uneaten food they leave behind. Personally, I feed my axie nightcrawlers with a big pair of tweezers and it helps keep the tank neat and tidy. ( Plus, it's a lot of fun! )
I'm going to make this list assuming that you have Amazon in your area and that either you or someone you know has Amazon Prime. If not, then think of this as more of a template that you can tweak using what you have available to you:
Hopefully you have Amazon Prime available to you where you are, and if so none of this requires any shipping charge. If you do at most this will cost you $115.79, leaving you lots of money to spend on shrimp and plants! Hope this was helpful to you, best of luck!
I'm just saying the yellowing of your plants mean they aren't getting enough light. If the ends turn brown and start molting/rotting, it's a nitrate deficiency. Shrimp (shellfish in general) are particularly sensitive to nitrate changes, so I was suggesting you make the amendments before you add the fauna.
You have a few options:
Full restack:
*Plant your plants
If you have temperature control where the jarrarium will be, you can use direct sunlight to kick-start the plants, but if not the Sun will make the water too hot (and the hot-cold scale to lengthen to be too dramatic for most life beyond snails).
The other option, with much less effort is to just use a spoon or a long cylinder (like a tank vacuum tube) and fill it with the nitrate soil, then jam it into the jar to the bottom and release it on the way out. Same concept as nitrate "plugs" you see at the store, but much more natural and much less likely to induced burn on the plants.
As with any living ecosystem, it's all about the balance, which can only be achieved with a cycle. With still-water, you'll only get gas exchange at the site of the plant, not in the surrounding ambient water. So getting a large pond or apple snail will help physically move around the water and get things mixing.
For a REALLY great start, you can use the soda-bottle hack to make a DIY CO2 bubbler, put it in the jar with a lid, then it will bubble (and mix) through the water and infuse the water with plenty of CO2 for the plants to thrive. Then when the bottle is empty/spent after a few days, you can let it stabilize for a day and add shrimp by the weekend.
If you want more details/recs, I'm extremely happy to help.
Also, I've started a YouTube channel for old game restorations, but I also make custom LED lights, if you have a request (at cost < $10-$15 shipped).
(I’m no expert but) I’m pretty sure bettas almost always love bigger spaces as long as they have plenty of clutter to hide in. I’d recommend getting some fake silk plants to provide some more hiding areas. Beware of ordering silk plants from amazon though, they’re usually not made of silk and/or aren’t as pictured. I love and definitely recommend the silk plants from Petco! They’re usually between $4 and $6 each or you could get a 3-pack for $10. :)
You could also consider getting them a floating betta log or some kind of cave-like thing that isn’t see-through to hide in. Just make sure any rough edges are filed down so this little guy doesn’t hurt himself further.
As for the potential fin-biting: if your current treatment doesn’t work, do NOT add aquarium salt directly into the tank. While it is generally true that aquarium salt helps to heal fins, it is best to set up a separate tank with aquarium salt that you can put your buddy in for a few minutes (will have to re-set it up every time). This is because the aquarium salt can (and usually will) disrupt your biofilter! The stuff I use and has worked wonders for my boys is Seachem’s StessGuard . It’s safe to add directly into your tank and it’s okay for use with pretty much any fish, plants, salt/freshwater, you name it.
Edit: spelling
I use a mix of substrate whatever is onsale. My favorite right now is organic gardening soil capped with sand but takes a lot of time to prep it but its cheap like 50lbs is less then 10 dollars. Here a link to prepping it: http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/library/52554-how-mineralized-soil-substrate-aaron-talbot.html
I used ecocomplete which is basically lava gravel. Here a link to it https://amzn.com/B0002DH0QM I got it for 3 dollars when my LFS was remodeling.
I use blasting sand its like 8 dollars for 50lbs. Here a link to it http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/black-diamond-medium-blasting-abrasives
I used fluval stratum. Got it one sale
I used seachem onyx sand. Got it for free during a store raffle.
I used cat litter unscented and natural clay.
I used azoo soil
I never never vacuum, clean, or siphon my substrate in my aquariums just let all the plants and substrate absorb the fish waste as nutrients.
In my opinion you can grow plants with any gravel or substrate just need nutrients. When I using just sand only as a subrate I supply it with plant food. I used Osmocote Plus Outdoor and Indoor Smart-Release Plant Food here is the link:
https://amzn.com/B00GTDGMHC
It was almost 4 dollars at walmart. How you use the garden plant food is just mix it with your substrate or sprinkle it and push it down into the substrate with your finger or chopstick. It sinks inside aquariums. I used the plant food about once every 6 months or when I think its 6 months which could be 4 months. I don't know all my plants are just growing fine.
With that said I recommend ADA Nature Substrate even tho I never used it. Because Amano Takashi, founder of ADA, knows a lot more then me I just never found it onsale or locally otherwise I would had brought it.
What I would do is use the gravel to make slopes and hill interesting landscape then mix or put plant food in it and then cover it with ADA soil.
I never ran into anaerobic zone issues but then again I had trumpet snails to help my substrate breath. Some of my substrate or gravel were 7cm+ tall and plants still grew not sure how far there roots went but they grew.
I have about 6 dirted tanks and one them had issues developing gas in the substrate. I had to poke the substrate every few days to release the gas other wise I think my plants wouldn't had grow. I think that could had been Anaerobic not sure but plants still grew but just slower compare to the other dirted tanks.
Will I hope that helps.
Hey Phantomsgf! I also have a fluval tank and man those filters are strong! I hunted around for ages and I found a really easy, really cheap solution: buy a pre-filter sponge and pop it onto the filter output. Make sure, of course, that the filter motor is at the lowest setting, but even that is too strong for a betta. You really need the sponge.
If you're having trouble with the filter intake, which are the vertical cuts in the plastic, I guess you could put some mesh over it to, again, slow down the flow. I don't have my betta yet so I'm not sure if this will be a problem.
You might also want to get a thermometer and verify your water's temperature. If it's always about 100 degrees inside your house, even at night, then yes, I'd believe that the water is warm enough for your little guy. But it has to be really really really hot to keep a fish tank at 80 degrees.
As for cycling, you're basically going to have to do a lot of water changes really often. My instinct, which is amateur, says to do 50% a day every day. I also learned from experience that you should let water sit for a while to warm up before putting it in the tank or the temperature drops like crazy.
You can check out products like this that claim to add the bacteria to your tank that eat fish waste. Do they work or is it a myth? I don't know. But for tiny tiny tanks like the fluval you have, you will definitely need a water dropper that can measure a tenth of a millimeter to put this stuff in your tank.
Anyway. Those are my tips. And when you do get a heater, you can fit it where the filter output plastic tube is! So cool!
Oh: look at this leaf. So cute.
Keeping the room cool is the important part, but she may also be looking for some extra comfort after she's been particularly active. I know my guy likes to flop over on his granite after extended play times. Fortunately, they're pretty inexpensive, so it's probably worth trying one if you find some wiggle room in your pet supplies budget :)
As stated in title, Fishy is the newest member of our household.
My first instinct was to read up on bettas and in doing so, found this subreddit.
I have several doubts, such as:
As per suggestions on this sub, I think buying a bigger tank is my number 1 priority; im currently looking into a Tetra Tank (3 Gallons), this one is favored by my wife, as she finds its aesthetically pleasing (and I agree). However, most people suggest a 5 Gallon tank, so Im also looking into a GloFish Tank, we both dislike the blue led on this model and the black plastic lid it comes with.
In any case, we're also looking to buy the following:
We already have a net (for scooping), drops to dechlorinate water, aquarium salt (for cleaning) and what you see already in the tank.
Please help us give this fish an awesome life!
PS.: We are not in the US, if it even matters.
Hey all, I’m finally preparing to make the leap into shrimp keeping. I have a ~15 gallon tank (pictured above with water bottle for scale) with a sponge filter and I have a large piece of wood with Java ferns in another tank I’m going to move into it. I’m new to shrimp and planted tanks and am very excited, but in need of some advice as far as necessities.
I’m planning on getting the following:
-Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum (8.8 pound) substrate
-this LED Full Spectrum Light
-some java moss for ground cover
I have a couple questions as well:
-Are there any small snails y’all would recommend?
-What test kits would you recommend?
-Is RO/DI water necessary?
I’m looking forward to becoming a part of the community! Thanks for your help!
Oh boy! I just was looking at aquarium gravel, and I can only imagine what this looks like under bright pink grow lights! XD
I guess that beggars a bonus question! I know that colored aquarium rocks don't leech their color into water, so is it ok to presume they'd be safe in soil?
I'm so sorry for your losses. These little guys work their way into our hearts much quicker than you'd think. As the others have said, they could have been sicker than the original owner knew or admitted to. You did the best you could for them trying to keep them cool and even taking them to the vet for a checkup. If they were from the same litter, it could have even been some kind of genetic defect in both of them that caused them to go so close together.
Just curious, how hot was it and do you have an AC? For future purposes, if it's really hot in your area, you can also put ice in their water bottle (or just ice cold water, and change it when it warms up) or get something like a Chin Chiller to help keep them cool. Also, frozen veggies or cool treats might help, too. One thing my boys all absolutely loved was apple juice ice cubes. We went through a hot spell for a while and 3 weeks without AC. My boys got very lethargic but the cool treats and water seemed to help some at least, but it was concerning.
Ah that's good! I think just keep an eye on him, if you're really worried, you could get him something like this http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Laboratories-AZMBL20-Hammock/dp/B0027IZ6KW to sleep on. (Also, if you're happy with the baffled filter I would keep it. Otherwise you'll have to cycle the tank again) I hope I've helped and good luck :)
You may just have an active nerite. Some snails really like being on the glass too. Sand should be fine because they experience that in the wild & I've seen sandy tanks with nerites. Mine have been fine in normal tank gravel (like this) which is typically pretty smooth so won't hurt them. I've even had a nerite who liked to burrow and he did fine in that sort of gravel.
Do you have any objects sitting in your tank he can explore? Nerites seem to like to be on wood or go inside decor like castles, so you might get him something that encourages him to get off the side of the tank.
My amazon sword and anacharis loves it! Even my anubias attaches itself to the substrate even though it has a decor for itself. There's other substrate that has fertilizer for the plants but that's only an online purchase from Amazon.
I feel like it will help with keeping the tank healthy. When I changed out the substrate for another color I crashed my cycle. I asked Reddit and researched and finds out I killed a lot of good bacteria :/ But remember to get a siphon to clean it every week. I do about a 25% water change when I clean the substrate. For the plants, since I just have this substrate from petco, I add weekly or bi weekly leaf zone, also found at petco. It does what the fertilizer substrate would do.
This is the fertilizer substrate from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002DH0QM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1502907088&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=aquarium+substrate+for+plants
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JGQIY48/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1502907088&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=aquarium+substrate+for+plants
Definitely be looking in to canister filters. You would probably do best with having two large-ish canister filters, sorry I don't have any brand recommendations.
Substrate: Since you're planning to do a planted tank I would definitely recommend this one. It is really good for plants and super good quality, not to mention I personally think it looks really amazing (depends what kind of look you want for your tank)
Plants: Again these really depend on what kind of look you're going for but I'll just give you some of the common low tech ones that always look killer in a tank
- Back of tank: Vallisineria, Amazon sword, Java fern, water wisteria and Ludwigia Repens
- Middle-ish of tank: Pygmy Chain Sword, anubia and anubia nana (keep in mind anubia needs to
be attached to an ornament/stone/driftwood not planted in gravel)
-Front of tank, completely optional but some small patched of carpeting plants often look nice:
Dwarf baby tears, java moss and dwarf hairgrass
Fish: Look everybody has different taste in fish, for me I really like Australian rainbows, tiger barbs,
golden blue rams, koi angelfish, fantail goldfish. If you reply back with some fish you personally like
the look of I might be able to help you come up with a stocking list
I got it on amazon and honestly the description doesn’t say. Yes it’s seeds. It’s this one—> SunGrow Aquarium Temple Plant Seeds, 2 Ounce, Vibrant Green Tropical Hygrophila Plant for Freshwater Fish Tanks, Easy to Grow Carpet Plants for Aquarium, Ideal for Shrimp, Goldfish and Guppies https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074TR3VGB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_enfCDbFQMKABW
If you’re going to go with RCS, definitely add some real plants and mosses.
For starters, I highly reconmend this link. I’ve ordered them 3 times, and didn’t receive less then 7-8 moss balls either time. In one order, one of the moss balls grew to the size of a softball. https://i.imgur.com/ruBRGs3.jpg
You can actually pull them apart and attach the moss to rocks or driftwood using super glue, which i did due to running out of space for moss balls. https://i.imgur.com/rDTgJ6Y.jpg
Even if you decide to not get any real plants, this is a great addition to your tank and requires no extra work. Another super easy plant to grow that shrimp loves is hornwort.
He's been in the tank for about a week. He eats well (mostly Hikari pellets, but also Betta Bug Bites) and has been getting more active with the lights on/off cycle and the same few people filtering in and out. He showed interest in the new thermometer I put in tonight and has stopped hiding every time I open the lid. (Probably because it usually means food time!)
I cycled the tank for about a week before adding him in. I did get the API Kit and my levels were good--0/0/0-5 and my pH is 7.4. I tested again tonight and have maintained the same levels.
I didn't rinse the substrate , as it said to add it directly and then water. I treated my water with the appropriate amount of conditioner that came with the tank kit. (I've ordered Seachem Prime for the water change and beyond.) I planted my plants (Not sure what I have, honestly) and left it to cycle. I dropped in an Aqueon Pure bio ball as well. I added Flourish tabs in two places after a few days when they arrived. I've also since added a moss ball.
This is my gravel vacuum. I also have a general tank kit (net, rake, etc) and a plant kit. I plan to stock Seachem Stability and Seachem Stress Guard. I ended up with a bottle of Tetra Safestart Plus because I thought I would need it, but haven't.
I'm so nervous! The last time I had a betta, my only knowledge was to take him out of the cube, put in fresh water, treat it, and dump him back in. I want to be a good fish mom!
Very nice! I really like how you changed the driftwood.
Once you’re ready for fish I’m sure your betta would love a floating log!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0027ITKBS/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1510788247&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=betta+log&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=51JUtrggGCL&amp;ref=plSrch
Marimo moss balls are extremely slow growing plants (really algae) and aren't going to do much in the way of absorbing nitrates ("keeping the water in good condition"). If you want a plant to keep the nitrates in the water low, then you need something that grows quickly like floating plants or stem plants. I like Salvinia minima for floating plants since they're difficult to kill (but not difficult to remove like duckweed). There are tons of stem plants, but the easiest one for me so far has been Hygrophila corymbosa.
Still, they're great at other things (grazing location for shrimp), and I like how they look, so I've bought these a couple times:
https://www.amazon.com/Marimo-Moss-Ball-Variety-Pack/dp/B00I323A0E
They're adorable!! If they have trouble staying cool, you should get 'em some Chin Chillers, which we had for our chinchillas. They're slabs of granite you can put in their house that they can relax on and stay super cool in warm weather!
I don't use one myself, but plenty of other users here have them, haven't heard anything bad so far. Though if you're worried, there are plenty of alternatives. you can get a floating log (though I did hear stories about that one losing color).
You can also make something yourself by gluing plants (javafern or anubias), small pieces of driftwood, or small decorations to a suction cup. there is specific aquarium safe plant glue, though regular (aquarium safe) sillicone or super glue (the one that contains cyanoacrylate, I use this one) also work well and won't kill your fish. Be sure to let it cure/dry though!
I’m personally a large fan of live plants, so I don’t have a ton of recommendations, but these seem very safe, affordable, and fun for your friend
I’d also recommend a floating betta log
I use CaribSea Eco-complete. It's black, beautiful, and easy to handle. I bought it from Amazon and used it in two new nano tanks and I will use it exclusively moving forward. You can find a lot of information on it here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002DH0QM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Good luck to you.
I use this. It's a very nice color and my guppies have been loving it, it is for planted tanks though. My plants have been loving it aswell. If you'd like me to send you pictures of my setup I can.
Ok, thank you. What carpeting plant do you recommend for a beginner? And what plants do you recommend in general for a beginner? Im trying to plant my 10, 20, and 29 gallon tanks, but I just need more ideas for a virgin in planted tanks. I've heard about amazon swords with root tabs (Idk what root tabs are), anubias, and others. But would love your advice.
Edit: I plan on getting this substrate for the planted portions of my tanks.
Sand can be a challenge for some beginners to get; it just depends on what plants you place in your tank. If you have plants that have high demands, you'll need to dose and use additives. For most beginners, I'd say just start with a substrate that does most of the work for you, especially if this is your first planted tank. (You'll be worrying about getting the lighting and water parameters correct.)
If you use actual sand (pool filter sand), you'll need to use root tabs or additives to the substrate to give the plants the proper macro and micro nutrients. You'll also need to dose ferts, but you might do that anyway, depending on the tank style you're trying to achieve.
If you're just going for that sand/gravel look, you'd get great results with CaribSea's Eco Complete. It's not very much ($22) compared to some other substrates, and does a fantastic job of growing plants, and looks somewhat similar to a sand/gravel effect.
Hygrophilla Seeds from amazon Luffy 2oz. Pack Aquarium Temple Plant Seeds - Vibrant Green Tropical Hygrophila Plant for Freshwater Fish Tanks - Easy to Grow Carpet Plants for Aquarium - Safe for Shrimp, Goldfish and Guppies https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074TR3VGB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_uDWQBbZNQAG3X
The tall plants were just from an unlabeled pack of bulbs from my local fish store. I think they were labeled “betta bulbs” or something to that effect. Sorry! I hope someone on here knows what they are.
I had trouble finding the supplies I needed from my local pet stores (especially for cheap), and ended up getting some things off Amazon.
An adjustable heater, for up to 10 gallons: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KKLHJ2Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_0sO7CbVTA1R52
Aquarium rocks/substrate for a planted, healthier aquarium:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002DH0QM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_cyO7Cb9MFNSFN
Cheapest supply of aquarium plants I've found--oh no, my favorite store, Aquatic Discounts, is on a hiatus! Well, here's something similar:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078K5CMH8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_EAO7Cb52MC3ZF
Rinse before planting, and watch carefully and remove dying leaves/sections in the first few weeks, but they really are a great value for the volume you'll get.
Sorry to say, but I'm a bit new to this. Can you explain the first paragraph like I'm 5 or something? Everything else I pretty much understand. Is [this heater] (http://www.amazon.com/Changeshopping-Submersible-Adjustable-Aquarium-Thermostat/dp/B00KXXV1GQ/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1411764389&amp;sr=8-2-spell&amp;keywords=adjustable+heater+fish+tank) any good? Also getting this leaf and this hiding spot, is there anything else I need besides gravel?
I bought 6 on amazon for about $10. The company was so nice they actually gave me 2 free moss balls in addition. They came in perfect condition and were as healthy as can be!
&#x200B;
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I323A0E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Buy 4 single tiles from your local hardware store. Keep one tile in the cage, one on standby and two in the freezer. The tile in the cage will always be slightly cooler than anything around it so the gerbils can spread out on it to cool themselves off. After a few hours, the tile will have absorbed the heat produced by your gerbils, so switch it out with the other tile on standby. If it gets really hot, pull out the tile from the freezer and push it against the outside of their cage or underneath it. This method may cause condensation within the tank, so look out for that and clean up afterwards. Replace the two freezer tiles with each other when one loses its cooling powers.
Here is what they sell at pet stores marked up slightly higher than hardware stores :
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000A7707O/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1524225481&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=chinchilla+tile
Also, your gerbils will pee on the tile often. Easy to clean up. I've noticed gerbils like to pee on smooth surfaces. If you put an empty mason jar in one corner of the cage, and clean it out 2+ times a day, they will learn to pee in that Mason jar instead of on the tile. Potty Trained gerbils!
I love it, but I will caution you with the decorations. I had a similar one to the ball one (only in pink), and I took it out because I was worried it would tear mine's fins. It's really rough, and those flow-y fins are super fragile. I stuck to silk or natural plants. I don't think it'll go with your decor, but I got mine a floating betta log and it's his favorite thing ever.
If it is sold for fish, it is probably fine. The only thing I would watch for is sharp edges, bettas tend to have long delicate fins that snag easily. Feel all around, and if there are any sharp places, just sand them off, and rinse off the sanding dust.
Also, not sure if that is floating or sinking log? Betta's sometimes like to explore/hide low, but mostly like to hide high, near the surface, so they can come up to breathe. I have this type of floating log, (it floats like this and my betta loves hiding and sleeping in it. I did have to sand off a bunch of rough areas though.
If it is a sinking log, you might want to also add something near the surface, like a betta hammock or float a live anubias plant.
Make sure your heater is at least 20 watt. If not, try to get a more powerful one ASAP.
Otherwise, looking good! You could get a betta leaf for your betta to rest on if you wanted :)
I have this betta leaf hammock, which apparently bettas like to sleep on! I'd love to put it in my betta's tank! It's in my Under $5 list. Thanks for the contest!
Too late, already bought my Flourite Black 15.4 lbs for $20.03. I have had good experience with Flourite so I'm not to bummed out.
Thanks for the heads up on the price. It would be nice if more hobbits would post deals like these when they come up. May be we should have a deals thread similar to the RAOK threads. Hint.. hint..
edit: hobbyists (I'm tired)
Nice little tank.
A few things that helped my betta in his 3 gallon were a leaf to rest on and also something to swim around/hide in.
I thought the leaf was an odd idea at first, but if you put it about an inch below the waterline it works well. My betta didn't use it at first, but once he got acclimated to it I could catch him resting on it quite often. I think it works well because they have to get up to the air to breathe, but sometimes enjoy resting, this gives them an area to perch and easily get air.
The vase took a little longer for the betta to get used to it, and I was worried about it being sharp and cutting him. However, he swims in and out of it no problem now, but I don't think he uses it to hide much, he's pretty bold. Still gives him something more to do since the tank is so small.
https://www.amazon.com/CaribSea-Eco-Complete-20-Pound-Planted-Aquarium/dp/B0002DH0QM
Eco-Complete currently, though I'm not sure how long I will stick with it. I prefer the sand look, and watching Cory's run their little noses through it is my favorite thing ever.
If you want sand, I do recommend Malaysian Trumpet Snails to help aerate it. Good for everyone.
https://www.amazon.com/LUFFY-Coco-Philippines-Java-Fern/dp/B01AEQSV0A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1501462979&amp;sr=8-1-spons&amp;keywords=java+fern&amp;psc=1
throw an established live plant in there, makes it easier to clean and helps snails/plants and water parameters.
this is the easiest plant i've ever kept other than java mass
If it feels cool when you touch it, and stays cool as you hold your fingers to it, then it has a high heat conductivity and is capable of pulling heat away long term. Some ceramics have a high heat conductivity and some don't. I have one of these , which works very well:
https://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Chinchilla-Chiller-Granite-Stone/dp/B000A7707O
Granite is a really dense rock (not a ceramic) that has a high heat conductivity.
Also, I want to say this clearly for the OP and others - a cooling rock is NOT going to give your chinchilla the ability to exist happily at 86 fahrenheit. It doesn't do enough. It shouldn't be considered as widening the range of temperatures that chinchillas can live in. This is a stopgap measure in an emergency, or a cage fitting for the chinchilla's comfort the rest of the year, no more.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001B4KG2Q/ref=pd_aw_sbs_2?pi=SY115&amp;simLd=1&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=51cgOhWUtTL
Tank
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006JVQ67K/ref=s9_top_hm_b3FMi1z_g199_i2
Heater
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0027IZ6KW/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1419281694&amp;sr=8-1&amp;pi=AC_SY200_QL40&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=51A5Tlq5o1L&amp;ref=plSrch
Hammock (optional, I have one for all 3 of my betta, it gives them a nice spot near the surface for resting, I think it would be a nice pick-me-up for a sick betta)
This tank is cheap and I cannot recommend it enough. I got it because a friend had it and I saw how awesome it is. My only suggestion is to move the tube with the filter toward the edge of the tank, as it is kind of obstructive in the middle and you really don't need the little prop thing it comes with.
http://i.imgur.com/FQgJjqP.jpg
My setup with all of the above, including the filter modification. Comes in about $20 under budget too, which id suggest spending on a first aid kit. You never know when your fish could get sick, and it is much better to have everything you need on hand than have to make an emergency pet supply run.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KH7RFE/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KHDX9I/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
I ordered those a few months ago. I would put them in a tub for at least 2 weeks to get most of the tannis out, but they look great and the price is right. I boiled each piece for a couple hours when I first got it as well.
As far as substrate goes, I recommend Eco-Complete. It's a black gravel that works great for plants and won't cloud the tank. The only issue is that it can be a little hard to keep brand new plants, but once their roots start to establish, it's great stuff.
some pet stores actually sell marble slabs or granite stones for chinchillas http://www.amazon.com/Super-Pet-Chinchilla-Chin-Chiller-Granite/dp/B000A7707O/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
but you can sometimes find a extra pieces from construction/home remodel projects and the owner would let go of a few scraps/pieces for free. :)
I just bought these and they are great for my 9" tall tank:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002ASDJ8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
I bought these too, but they are way too tall:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003KGBJ06/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Silk plants don't have to be super spendy.
Oops, it was actually $50 for 40 lbs of rock.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F8DVAO4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Here's the powerhead i got:
https://www.amazon.com/SunSun-JVP-101A-2-unit-Maker-Suction/dp/B00DY9ZAFO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1480355284&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=saltwater+powerhead
I'm not too familiar with a sump.
can you help pick out some parts for what i'd need because I'd be interested in doing less frequent water changes if at all possible.
also can an overflow be an alternative to a sump?
https://www.amazon.com/Eshopps-PF300-Overflow-Aquariums-75-Gallons/dp/B00CJ2575K/ref=pd_bxgy_199_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&amp;pd_rd_i=B00CJ2575K&amp;pd_rd_r=S89NJCB19GMJX2XNXY57&amp;pd_rd_w=jEUDa&amp;pd_rd_wg=N19XF&amp;psc=1&amp;refRID=S89NJCB19GMJX2XNXY57
Also i found this sump that has good reviews... i just don't know what other parts i'd need with it to make it work
https://www.amazon.com/Aqueon-34500-ProFlex-Model-44-55-Gallon/dp/B0036S1FQG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1480355334&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=saltwater+sump
Luffy 2oz. pack Aquarium Temple Plant Seeds - Vibrant Green Tropical Hygrophila Plant for Freshwater Fish Tanks - Easy to Grow Aquarium Plant - Safe for Shrimp, Goldfish and Guppies https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074TR3VGB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_NZYTAbK1R9J21
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I323A0E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
i got this set from Aquatic Arts, they sent me 3 or 4 bonus ones too! overall the best price ive found and the quality is ok, not the most beautiful marimos but they are definitely real
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I323A0E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_CNsXDbQP3D8MB
I kind of want to get them.. theres some bad reviews which scare me a bit but 4.1k reviews for 4.5 stars seems good. And the deal itself is pretty good too.
Yeah the Marino balls I have are like weird textured. Idk if they are fake I got them from here. www.amazon.com/dp/B00I323A0E?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
They brake apart so easily and are just kind of not the same texture I got from a pet store. Was looking for not really a carpet type plent but maybe something the cherries can swim through feel like that would make them happy.
Hope you get him a 10 gallon or bigger with plants he can rest on.
My betta loved this :
https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Floating-Betta-Log/dp/B0027ITKBS
I'll share assume of the names I had for my bettas over the years :
Captain Morgan
Gilligan
And
Master Betta
Let your daughter pick out the fish. There's so many variations and colors, it's half the fun! Also I suggest getting Squidward's house on amazon for $3. Have fun!
Sorting the review by most recent I don't see any recent reviews saying that it peeled off, some say it has sharp edges, some don't mention them.
https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Floating-Betta-Log/product-reviews/B0027ITKBS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewopt_rvwer?ie=UTF8&amp;showViewpoints=1&amp;sortBy=recent&amp;pageNumber=1&amp;reviewerType=avp_only_reviews
If you buy one from amazon, i would put it in a glass or bowl for a week or so, and if it started to peel or the surface roughened up, just send it back. Amazon has a great return policy. :-)
I have the same tank and I'm using the Aqueon Pro 50 watt. It's been perfect for 4 months.
http://smile.amazon.com/Aqueon-Heaters-Submersible-Aquarium-50-Watt/dp/B003C5JNXK?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1&amp;redirect=true&amp;ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00
I replaced the filter with a sponge filter.
My betta loves this:
http://smile.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Floating-Betta-Log/dp/B0027ITKBS?ie=UTF8&amp;colid=XFU5W5TP6HEO&amp;coliid=I11ZTSLNOA7LUT&amp;psc=1&amp;ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl
I bought this java fern last november (apparently), and it arrived looking sad, papery, and mildly dehydrated. Well, I put that thing in water, and it's still going strong. It's even got a baby java fern growing off one of its leaves in the last week or so.
Driftwood is harder to buy on Amazon, because you only order a size. You can't see pictures of the particular item you're buying. Sometimes you'll get something gorgeous, sometimes you get a "chunk of wood."
Okay, here's what I did!
First, I actually put no work into picking a piece of wood. I ordered one of these and figured that unless it was awful, I could make it work. Too true!
Then I gathered everything else: plain dried sphagnum moss, live mood moss, and stretchy bead cord.
I fidgeted around with the plant and the bare piece of wood to figure out where it would ultimately sit, then once I had a good spot, I laid the roots across the wood in ways that went with the direction they were growing naturally. Some of the roots I threaded through holes in the wood; others I gently pushed into cracks.
I held the plant in place and started to place small amounts of dried moss over the roots, just enough to cover them. Holding all of that with one hand, I cut a length of cord, about 12" long, and wrapped it around the wood, moss, and roots. Just enough to hold it in place, I tied it off at the bottom and trimmed the ends.
From there, I built up moss around the base of the plant, and then incorporated pieces of live mood moss. I used probably three more feet of cord to secure everything down and make sure every piece was secure.
Next came the tray. I bought one of these and filled it with pebbles. Those serve two purposes: first to hold the wood at an angle I like (pile the rocks up where they're needed) and second to keep the wood from touching the bottom of the tray.
To water, I just fill the tray up. Weekly I add a regular amount of fertilizer (instead of weekly weakly) since it has to leech into the wood. Then to keep bacteria or mildew from accumulating, I occasionally add this stuff to the water. This setup has been here since about June, and I've had no bacteria or mold in the water. Have not had to clean the tray out once!
I have two more orchids on mounts (a neofinetia falcata and a "Charles M. Fitch", whatever it's actually called) in the same tray, but one of them is sort of oddly droopy and hasn't really "settled in" yet. The other one looks nice; maybe I'll post a pic in the morning.
It should feel like moss underwater, as opposed to hair. You can also pull off small chunks really easy. They're really hardy plants, so I would worry about how they were shipped.
edit: I'd also returm them on the grounds of improper size/count and get these, these are what I bought. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I323A0E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_05CAxbPR2F9ZA
Picture
Mine came with some grains of sand on them which I just brushed off.
I had a similar issue with needing a small footprint, and I went with this tank So far, I'm really happy with it! The filter has an adjustable flow, and I have it on its lowest setting, and my betta seems fine with that (even with very long fins.) I've even had some success so far with low-light plants with the stock light that comes with it. I did add one of those betta hammock leaves so that he had a place to hang out when he goes up for air. I think it's fairly affordable compared to Fluval's tanks, myself.
I used only ZooMed's, it is not marked as betta safe, and even if it was, it should be true: it will not kill betta... See reviews on Amazon for both: logs and betta hammocks.
Hi there, it's lovely that you want to help this fish! It's sad that a school is willing to set such a poor example of animal care to kids.
Would your parents be willing to help? If so, a letter from them to the school saying something along the lines of "We feel it's important to teach our children compassion and responsibility when it comes to animal care, and the fish in the library doesn't have a proper set up for a betta fish. Please lead by example and use this as a teaching opportunity by setting up a proper small tank for the school fish. Thank you".
If they wouldn't want to get involved, then a Betta leaf hammock (link) would be more useful for him than a moss ball, and they only cost $3-4. If it's placed a few inches below the surface of the water, Bettas like to lie and rest and sleep on them, but also be close to the surface so they can breathe (Bettas can breathe oxygen from the surface, which is why people feel okay about keeping them in small bowls that would kill a fish that can't do that much more quickly).
https://www.amazon.co.uk/zoomed-Floating-Betta-Leaf-Hammock/dp/B0027IZ6KW/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3VIYPUOID4VKB&keywords=betta+leaf+hammock&qid=1566918613&s=gateway&sprefix=betta+leaf%2Caps%2C186&sr=8-2
I got them in Amazon! They're pretty easy to grow. Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074TR3VGB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_bia_widget_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
If you want to see if your betta will accept a more natural-looking sleeping place, you could try this Zoo Med floating log. Mine love them! I would just add it in, give it a month or so, and see if he switches over or still prefers the basket.
I was planning on buying this stuff
Bad idea? Good idea? Maybe do a little organic miracle grow on the bottom?
There is a lot of differing opinions on what makes a good substrate.
This is what I got: CaribSea Eco-Complete
Why did I get that? Because it was available on Amazon Prime and well rated :-) So far, so good.
Interesting. Right now my Betta tank is a pure substrate of black Flourite which the LFS told me was the best for planted tanks.
That tank's about a year old and I've since learned that you're better off mixing the substrate, so my 25g is a mix of black flourite and then some regular stone substrate, I'm not sure if it has a special name.
Am I SOL with that kind of setup unless I resort to CO2 or fertilizers? A total substrate change would be a pretty big job at this point, but if that's what it takes maybe an experiment in the 6g would be a place to start.
Here's a pic of my substrate in the 25g: http://imgur.com/BolXo6o
Im really not to informed on that first question but on most fish i believe it doesnt, You can check online and see if the fertilizer will have any effect on the specific type of fish your looking for. I have a betta fish with a snail and some shrimp and they all do fine with it.
Java moss grows great on wood. Also i recommend getting some sort of substrate gravel. I use this
http://www.amazon.com/CaribSea-Eco-Complete-20-Pound-Planted-Aquarium/dp/B0002DH0QM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1418921775&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=substrate+gravel
ya I added some beneficial bacteria from my established little Betta tank. I shook the filter out in the water column of the new tank. for my substrate I am using the fluval substrate. I will definitely give it some more time. I was just going off of this post and was using a week as a reference. My tank is also not planted yet. I did not want to add plants just for them to absorb ammonia and be kind of counter productive while I am trying to establish the bacteria (although some people tell me plants help the process)
Are you kidding me?! That’s ridiculously small, he can barely turn around!!!
Jokes aside, it’s a great water volume for him, but it might be a tad deep. They need to reach the surface to breathe with their labyrinth organ, and while they can process air through their gills as well, they do need to reach the surface since most of their air intake is through their labyrinth. I would be concerned with his ability to reach the surface expediently if down low. He will probably spend most of his time near the surface, so I would recommend some floating plants, floating decorations, or they even make fake leaves on suction cups specifically so bettas have a place to rest near the surface.
The filter's good! It'd be too stressful to forgo the filter and have to do 100% water changes to keep up.
Awww, pretty! :] Look here or here for the betta log. There are tons of places to find them, though.
FIRST OF ALL: Good on you getting a proper tank for your betta!
Here's what I would do with this tank. Take what you want from it.
Lighting: Finnex Stingray Aquarium LED Light, 20-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NAFQ6FK/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_QuphybE4CPE6A
I'd get a timer for the light and set it for 8 hours a day.
Substrate: Flourite Black, 7 kg / 15.4 lbs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019J0ISU/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_nxphybZM3Y2ZD
And add plants. I think moss would be a nice plant to add with that light as well. Maybe every now and then dose some ferts. I think I see a box to which is a filter. So I'll leave out my filter of choice.
If this were my tank for a betta I'd do this (:
They lock in pretty good on their own, but I have holes drilled with plastic dowels and some aquarium safe silicone holding them all together.
These are the rocks I have: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F8DVAO4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
I have 80 pounds.
I got these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079CZRVB8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_RncPCbNYGY10K
They're super soft :)
I've stopped using aquarium gravel because of this. It may be they are eating the paint off or the paint may be just flaking off.
Before you just "get sand" make sure you know what type it is, some can affect your PH. Natural small stones are a favorite by me. If you want to stay with black, this is an option, and works well with planted tanks.
No problem! I'm sure your betta will make it fine through the cycle with some of the old substrate. Betta are pretty tough. Just make sure to do small water changes everyday to keep ammonia and nitrite down.
I got the log off Amazon. My betta uses it often so it was certainly money well spent. If you decide to get it, consider adding this to the cart as well. It is what most people use to test their water and is much more reliable than strips. You can find both the log and the kit at Petsmart but I find that it's cheaper to buy on Amazon.
Instant Ocean Reef Crystal's salt is reasonably cheap and people seem to trust it. As for rock, I used this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F8DVAO4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6yBTDb30B368Q
It's 40 lbs for $55, prime shipping. Just make sure you pressure wash it to get the sand out of the crevasses, but it's dry, pest free rock that will cycle with your tank. Since your on a budget, you can take your time and cycle it properly.
Also, I'd suggest watching 52 weeks of reefing. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBaMLrfToJyybUT18OE3fMomFb9XU0ffC
A lot of it won't apply to you, but it covers just about everything.
Sounds good. I'd second what other people say about other water conditioners though, and if you have the funds pick up some high quality testing kits. I also got one of these for my betta to sleep in and he loves it https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zoo-Med-BL-10E-Floating-Betta/dp/B0027ITKBS
Thank you all so much for your patience! thoothsk is right, i should have given more information. I hate when people call me for tech support and say "my computer isnt working, can you come fix it" when they just need to load paper into their printer or some other equally as frustrating lack of detail. So here goes:
Pic Of Tank
1.10G Heater so the temp is about 78
So, i think that is all the answers, and again. Thank you for your patience. I should have given more details.
My main question is should i throw these 6 java fern plants out, or are they salvageable in the condition they are in, if i give them time? I believe i will not order from this vendor again.
EDIT: i have no fish in the tank. :) I have a 55G tank that i used to put lots of fake plants in because i love the look of plants, so this 5 gallon is my attempt at starting plants first. Fish when allll is well.
EDIT 2:
Yes, some Betta really like it. I gave you the Amazon link. Plants, wood, etc.
Same boat. I cancelled my order because I had $40 in change so I thought I'd go to a Coin Star and put the money on an Amazon gift card since there is no 10% fee when made into a gift card rather than cash. Now I have $40 for Amazon which would have nearly paid for my order and now it barely covers 1 bag. I guess I'll be waiting some more.
Here's a price tracker for it and you can set up email alerts for when it gets below a certain price.
Here are some pictures from setting up the hardscape, as well as a close up of the plants
And here's some info!
Tank - mr aqua 12g long The back of the tank has been painted with plastidip.
Filter - Eheim 2215
Heater - Hydor 200w inline heater
Light - Current USA Satellite LED+. Have it dimmed to ~60% RGB/White on a memory setting.
Light stand - This off amazon which I had to bend a bit since it's narrower than the Satellite.
Pipes - Chinese lily pipes off ebay. Going to be replacing them with these stainless steel ones
----------------
Sand - Carib sea sand
Gravel substrate - Seachem Flourite
Rocks - Seiryu Stone I bought a few packs and have a good amount extra, just to use interesting pieces. Took a chisel to one rock to get smaller parts to work with.
Wood - 4 Pieces of small / medium spiderwood from my LFS. My LFS had a good selection and they let me configure some pieces to see how they'd work together.
-----------------
Plants:
-----------------
No fauna yet but I plan on moving my RCS over, and getting some micro crabs and possibly another type of shrimp!