Creating a thriving aquarium floor

[florine]

Setting up a new tank for my betta and I'm after some advice. Got a dennerle nano cube 20l in mind.

First question - how do you keep the aquarium floor clean in a heavily planted tank like the one I've got in mind? Can't exactly use a gravel vac like I do now.

I've also been thinking about a centrepiece hardscape - what's the best option for a betta? Or should I just skip it altogether and focus on keeping his fins healthy, which is the main reason I'm upgrading his tank in the first place.

[StripeSly]

Setting up a new tank for my betta and I'm after some advice. Got a dennerle nano cube 20l in mind.

First question - how do you keep the aquarium floor clean in a heavily planted tank like the one I've got in mind? Can't exactly use a gravel vac like I do now.

I've also been thinking about a centrepiece hardscape - what's the best option for a betta? Or should I just skip it altogether and focus on keeping his fins healthy, which is the main reason I'm upgrading his tank in the first place.

Wood would be a lovely addition, I think. For a betta's sensitive fins, it's best to avoid sharp rocks and opt for smooth ones instead.

[StripeSly]

Setting up a new tank for my betta and I'm after some advice. Got a dennerle nano cube 20l in mind.

First question - how do you keep the aquarium floor clean in a heavily planted tank like the one I've got in mind? Can't exactly use a gravel vac like I do now.

I've also been thinking about a centrepiece hardscape - what's the best option for a betta? Or should I just skip it altogether and focus on keeping his fins healthy, which is the main reason I'm upgrading his tank in the first place.

Honestly, I think you'd be better off with at least 40 litres or 10 gallons.

[Snout]

Honestly, I think the wood and rocks are overkill if you've got enough live plants providing shelter. The tank in the image doesn't seem to have the right plants for a betta, though - they need some floating plants and taller ones to rest at the surface.

In a heavily planted tank, you can't really syphon the substrate, so just swirl the tube above the floor to lift up the debris. What type of substrate are you planning to use, by the way?

[florine]

Honestly, I think the wood and rocks are overkill if you've got enough live plants providing shelter. The tank in the image doesn't seem to have the right plants for a betta, though - they need some floating plants and taller ones to rest at the surface.

In a heavily planted tank, you can't really syphon the substrate, so just swirl the tube above the floor to lift up the debris. What type of substrate are you planning to use, by the way?

Still in the planning stages for my new betta tank, but I've got the sponge filter covered - it's going into my old tank for a few weeks to get it cycled. I think I'll take your advice and focus on the plants instead.

Thanks for the tip on substrates - is there a particular one you'd recommend for a heavily planted tank?

[graye]

I'd consider adding Anubias nana to your tank - it's perfect for creating resting spots near the surface. Wood or rocks with leaves breaking the surface would be ideal. If you're set on keeping your betta's fins in great condition, you'll need to create areas for them to rest close to the air. I've found that large fins can be a handicap for bettas, so it's essential to adapt the tank to their needs.

A bare glass bottom can be a real pain to maintain - it collects waste and requires more effort to clean. I've found that planted substrates are generally easier to manage, especially in smaller tanks. If you do decide to go for a planted tank like the one in the photo, the plants will help keep the tank clean. The only issue you might encounter is if snails get in - they can make a mess of things.

[graye]

Researching plants beforehand really helps, I've had good experiences with my own planted tanks, no CO2 needed.

[florine]

Honestly, I think the wood and rocks are overkill if you've got enough live plants providing shelter. The tank in the image doesn't seem to have the right plants for a betta, though - they need some floating plants and taller ones to rest at the surface.

In a heavily planted tank, you can't really syphon the substrate, so just swirl the tube above the floor to lift up the debris. What type of substrate are you planning to use, by the way?

Thanks for the advice, I'm glad I already lean towards sand, makes things a bit easier. I've got some floating plants in my current tank that I can transfer over, so that's a good starting point.