I have kept my betta in this tank for over a year. He figured out where the air was! Currently, it is heavily planted christmas tree moss, chain swords, micro swords, dwarf hairgrass, java fern (windelov), najas grass and crypts. Hornwort and najas grass to make it tougher to chase the chili rasboras when Mr. Betta is feeling frisky. I love to see him resting in his crypt hammock. Has to come out and flare at me when I approach the front of the tank.
I use Purigen for filtration. CO2 bubble ladder, modified the lights to MR16 LED bulbs and added a 10W 6700 fluorescent fixture to the mix. Flourite red as a substrate. Driftwood & a few stones as well.
Livestock include the above mentioned betta who believe it or not.....coexists with 10 chili rasboras, ruby tetras (3), 4 theadfin rainbowfish, asian stone catfish, a lovely 'red lizard catfish ('Red Lizard Catfish, L010a'), a male clown killifish, a small striped loach from asia as well as several olive and ruby nerite snails, some horned nerite snails and an abundant, thriving colony of cherry red shrimp. The plants are so healthy that I have to trim them back every week or they would be totally filling the tank. Deep greens and lush growth. Thriving and healthy in every way. I currently am dosing carefully with Excel (inverts are sensitive) and fertilizers along with doing heavy (75%) water changes every week. Added a heater to the tank and a foam pre-filter to keep the shrimp safe.
I know that this breaks all of the '1 inch of fish per gallon of water' rules, but this is one of THE most gorgeous tanks that I have ever owned. Water is crystal clear, nerites keep the glass clean (use the small magnet glass cleaner every week like I do on all of my tanks with my weekly water changes. Filter is more than sufficient. I am very pleased with this tank, as you can tell. Folks who see my photos of this tank are always amazed that it is only 6 gallons.
I did a 'fishless' cycle at first (a year ago) using ammonia. Tank cycled in 4 days. Mr. Betta was the first inhabitant. Others followed gradually and the bio-load adjusted accordingly. I love this tank so much that I am seriously thinking about getting another one since Petsmart has them on sale for $99. I am also thinking about getting one of Fluval's shrimp tanks.. Think that I could have fun with that. Most of my tanks are much larger.....20H to 60H. This little Edge is a jewel. I had to make some changes, but the effects were worth it...
Melanie J
I use Purigen for filtration. CO2 bubble ladder, modified the lights to MR16 LED bulbs and added a 10W 6700 fluorescent fixture to the mix. Flourite red as a substrate. Driftwood & a few stones as well.
Livestock include the above mentioned betta who believe it or not.....coexists with 10 chili rasboras, ruby tetras (3), 4 theadfin rainbowfish, asian stone catfish, a lovely 'red lizard catfish ('Red Lizard Catfish, L010a'), a male clown killifish, a small striped loach from asia as well as several olive and ruby nerite snails, some horned nerite snails and an abundant, thriving colony of cherry red shrimp. The plants are so healthy that I have to trim them back every week or they would be totally filling the tank. Deep greens and lush growth. Thriving and healthy in every way. I currently am dosing carefully with Excel (inverts are sensitive) and fertilizers along with doing heavy (75%) water changes every week. Added a heater to the tank and a foam pre-filter to keep the shrimp safe.
I know that this breaks all of the '1 inch of fish per gallon of water' rules, but this is one of THE most gorgeous tanks that I have ever owned. Water is crystal clear, nerites keep the glass clean (use the small magnet glass cleaner every week like I do on all of my tanks with my weekly water changes. Filter is more than sufficient. I am very pleased with this tank, as you can tell. Folks who see my photos of this tank are always amazed that it is only 6 gallons.
I did a 'fishless' cycle at first (a year ago) using ammonia. Tank cycled in 4 days. Mr. Betta was the first inhabitant. Others followed gradually and the bio-load adjusted accordingly. I love this tank so much that I am seriously thinking about getting another one since Petsmart has them on sale for $99. I am also thinking about getting one of Fluval's shrimp tanks.. Think that I could have fun with that. Most of my tanks are much larger.....20H to 60H. This little Edge is a jewel. I had to make some changes, but the effects were worth it...
Melanie J
