plant/betta fish question ??

[jamiejay09]

hello all,

i have a male betta in a 2g as you may know from my sig. anyway i was wondering as i have a small spider plant that reproduces loads, maybe i could make some sort of net over the water surface and let the roots grow into the water keeping the leaves dry.. would this effect the fish or the water conditions ?? sorry is this doesnt make sense

thankyou in advance for all advise

 

[jamiejay09]

anyone have advise ???

 

[ryanoh]

I think as with any plant it would help soak up the bad stuff, but not to the point where you don't need water changes. I'm pretty novice about bettas, but from what I do know, they can't eat just roots, so you'd still have to feed him.

That said, if you're adding fertilizers to the water I don't see why this won't work, but I also don't see why you'd want to do it either.

 

[jamiejay09]

The tanks filtered and heated i just wanted to try it ive seen some pretty cool tanks with this idea

 

[Newman]

if the roots start to rot yes, and take it out.
otherwise its safe as long as you have a space where you can easily throw food to the water and the betta is able to get to it lol.

 

[jamiejay09]

cool thankyou will give it a go

 

[lauraf]

I think the concern with that setup - I've seen it as an 'ornamental display' in plant stores - is people assuming that A) the water doesn't still need to be changed; B) the fish can 'eat' the plant and doesn't need to be fed; and C) it's okay if the plant chokes off access to the water surface for the fish.
So as long as you are maintaining the betta tank as per usual, you are just growing a non-immersed plant, and it will look very cool. Show us pics!