Journal 5.8 Gallon Betta Blackwater

[gnatster]

I'm deep into planning my next tank, a 5.8-gallon Blackwater home for a betta and friends.

What brought me to this decision?

I've never had a betta; I've had all sorts of other aquatic creatures. Something new to me.
The small tank size fits my small space.
I have a nice light fixture that fits the tank, the space, and I believe is suited for the purpose.
And lastly, because you can't just have one tank.

I've jotted down a bunch of notes.

Theme

Dark and moody, brightly colored Half-Moon Betta.

Hardware
Lighting - ADA Solar Mini - New bulb needed - FPL27EX-N
UNS 5T - 14.17 x 8.66 x 11.02
OASE FiltoSmart Thermo 100
12/16 SS Lily Pipes w/Skimmer
12/16 Grey Silicone Hose
12/16 Shut of Valves
Kasa Smart Plug
Belkin 6 Outlet Strip
InkBird ITC-308 WiFi
ATO?
Lid?

Belkin Strip for filter and heater, mount so the switch is accessible.
Plug the Lamp w/Smart Plug, RCM, and LED light into the existing strip.

Stump in the left corner with roots spidering out, moss-covered rocks tucked between the roots with anubias and buce peeking out from crevices, leaf litter and pods over sand and small gravel substrate

Stump in the left corner with roots spidering out, rounded smooth rocks tucked between the roots with anubias and buce peeking out from crevices, leaf litter and pods over sand and small gravel substrate

Cascade of moss-covered lava rocks from the back left towards the front right with wood twisted within the rockwork, Dark and Moody, leaf litter and pods over sand and small gravel substrate. Anubias, moss, and buce as plants.

Hardscape possibilities:
Mangrove Stump - Peruse stumps and complementary rocks at Aqua Rocks Colorado
Driftwood Stump
Nano Spiderwood
Frilly Branching Wood
Betta Botanicals 10 Gallon Kit

Lava Rock - 20lb+ on hand
UNS Controsand Maui
UNS Controsand Kona

White background?
Black background?

Livestock
Betta - PNW Bettas
Ramshorn Snails
Neocardinia Shrimp
Kuhili Loach


Plants
Buce - Small varieties
Moss-covered rocks and wood
Anubias - Mini and Nano

Dark Start - Build easily removable hardscape, glue firmly. Dark cycle tank. Remove hardscape wrap moss to rocks and wood, Buce and Aubias planted, flood

Dry Start - Build easily removable hardscape, glue firmly.. Remove and coat with moss milkshake and grow out dry covering the tank with film. Plant Buce and Anubias, flood, cycle.

Plant Heavy Start - Moss Mats wrapped to rocks and wood, Buce and Aubias planted, flood and cycle

Critiques and comments welcome.

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

I look forward to seeing the tank even though youll be housing a domestic betta in it. Im a huge fan of wilds and there's some amazing ones out there that would be awesome for this tank. And you can keep more than 1 in it. But that's just me.

 

[*Ci*]

You might want to think about a lid for your UNS 5T.
I’ve recently lost 2 domestic bettas to jumping, so I put glass over my rimless tank. Wilds are even more prone to jump.

Clear Gorilla tape for a hinge and silicon “dots” to raise it off the edges a bit for airflow … works well and looks ok.
Easy to just lift the whole thing off for maintenance.

 

[gnatster]

I look forward to seeing the tank even though youll be housing a domestic betta in it. Im a huge fan of wilds and there's some amazing ones out there that would be awesome for this tank. And you can keep more than 1 in it. But that's just me.

I'm intrigued. I don't know much about wild bettas. Can ya'll point me to some resources, please?

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

I'm intrigued. I don't know much about wild bettas. Can ya'll point me to some resources, please?

You'd definitely want a tight fitting lid if you do wild type bettas. Also Id recommend some kinda spotlight over the tank that penetrates the water column the betta's will really be able to show off there colors. But here are some resources.
Youtube:
Smaragdina
Mahachaiensis
Channoides
Podcast:
Bubble Nesting Bettas
Mouthbrooding Bettas

If you have any questions please feel free to ask. Non domesticated Betta genus is arguably my favorite genus of fish. When I fish up the fish room I will be breeding and focusing on alot of different wild types again.
Also any good fish store should be able to order most of these. However they can be seasonal and are normally Wild caught fyi. I also know of a great place to order from.

 

[Koan]

I'm intrigued. I don't know much about wild bettas. Can ya'll point me to some resources, please?

Here are some listings for wild type bettas from a handful of Thai breeders

Here's an overview of the betta species complexes , and a photoblog

Here's a US breeder you can reach out to with questions

 

[gnatster]

Thank you SkaleyAquatics and Koan. I have much more research to accomplish.

 

[Koan]

Betas are so cool so hard to pick just one! Good excuse to have bookshelves full of nanos

Stevie really loves racing up and down his 90 * 30 * 30

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

Betas are so cool so hard to pick just one! Good excuse to have bookshelves full of nanos

Stevie really loves racing up and down his 90 * 30 * 30

Agree with this 100%

 

[gnatster]

Played with the stones and wood and came up with this concept. Most of the stones are just supporting the wood. This is more for wood placement. I'm also thinking that at least the right side ought to be covered in the frosted white film.

 

[Koan]

Hard to tell from this angle, but leave yourself room all the way around the wood to easily clean and reach the glass and substrate

You will thank yourself later

 

[gnatster]

Hard to tell from this angle, but leave yourself room all the way around the wood to easily clean and reach the glass and substrate

You will thank yourself later

Funny that you mention this. I've been experimenting with some ideas. With the aquarium being visible from two sides, I had it ingrained that the scape must emanate from the left rear.

Some of my experiments:


Not bad, I'd cut the branchy stuff to fit better, until I have it close, they stay intact. I am worried about a betta getting tangled in the roots.


A little creepy feeling. A friend called it a horse with octopus legs pointing west.


Like the direction this is going, but the vertical is terrible.


Added a piece of dragon wood for something more substantial vertically. Like it enough to add more detail, and wet it down to get an idea of where things are going. As much as I like this, I fear it will be a maintenance hell. The mulm that will settle in that rock work would be nigh impossible to extract once planted.


Think I'm onto something here. Nothing but a few stones are touching the rear. Already scratched the bottom too, arrghh.

 

[gnatster]

Update - Became frustrated with the wood and the way things were working out. Went to the big LFS in town to pick up some wood. The selection was large, and the prices were even larger. Nano-sized spiderwood at $35 ea. $50+ for anything that might fit in a 10-gallon. Everything at this place is MSRP, but for $9.99 annually to join the fish club, they offer 10% off selected lines. I've ordered a box o'wood.

 

[techman81]

It's crazy isn't i? The one LFS near me that specializes in some of the higher end equipment and plants, also, unfortunately has the highest prices in town. They sale ADA, Waterbox, and UNS stuff at the same prices you see online because those are all likely price controlled, but their prices on plants, fish, and hardscape are insane. I was hoping to pick up a box of small scrap pieces of driftwood the other day since they have expanded what they have. They wanted $20 per piece/twig of driftwood. I said no thanks.

 

[gnatster]

They wanted $20 per piece/twig of driftwood. I said no thanks.

Finding the finer detailing materials has been a challenge. Then I found Etsy. Every vendor I've worked with has been personable and willing to work on pricing when purchasing in bulk. They're not the quickest shippers around; Amazon has ruined us all on that account.

This bundle of wood was 20 bucks delivered. Fert bottle for scale.

 

[techman81]

This bundle of wood was 20 bucks delivered. Fert bottle for scale

Looks like a good deal. I've been purchasing some individual large show pieces on Etsy when I get to see the actual piece I'm buying.

 

[Koan]

I've had great experience with these guys

Driftwood Diving Company | eBay Stores

Contact for Volume Discounts and Combined Shipping to Save More! If you're looking for something specific, please let us know with a description/similar photo and specific dimensions. We Insist on 100% Satisfaction with 30 day returns! Follow this Seller for Updates and Discounts!

ebay.us

 

[JuJuFish]

I've had great experience with these guys

Driftwood Diving Company | eBay Stores

Contact for Volume Discounts and Combined Shipping to Save More! If you're looking for something specific, please let us know with a description/similar photo and specific dimensions. We Insist on 100% Satisfaction with 30 day returns! Follow this Seller for Updates and Discounts!

ebay.us

Thanks for the tip @Koan I just placed an order for some small cypress pieces.

 

[Koan]

some small cypress pieces

They definitely float but they also sell pre-drilled slate pieces to screw on, and will also take requests to cut smaller sizes if you send them a direct message

 

[Count Krunk]

I had some dry cypress driftwood that took almost a year to sink in my old 55g tank.

Just fyi.