Hello and Can Someone Possibly Help?

**Misse** · 11-09-2013, 06:15 PM

Hi, I'm Misse (pronounced Missy) and I am new to this forum, and to this Aquatic Community.

I have kept fish for almost three years now, but still find that i learn something new every day!

I would love to get in contact with like minded people- meaning people whose hobbies include aquariums.

I have two tanks, one is 29 gallons and the other only 10 gallon. I have multiple friendly tropical community fish in the larger of the two tanks. In the 10g, my beautiful Betta fish Soubi (this means 'beloved') lives alone except for 4 spiny snails. He has seemed happier since i added the snails, and has made a couple of bubble nests since they started living in the tank.

My new challenge is as follows: I want to transform my 10g tank into a fully planted tank. I know that to begin, one needs the right substrate, and i have heard Bettas like sand. Right now i have your typical aquarium gravel in there- and currently have some Riccia and some Java Moss in it, as well as a moss ball and a stick of bamboo.

Can anyone help me in my effort to plant this tank? Please? Where do i begin?
Thanks for your time.

**William** · 11-09-2013, 06:15 PM

Hi and welcome. Hope to see you around a lot.

**steeler58** · 11-09-2013, 06:23 PM

Hello Misse and welcome to the forum, there are alot of members with "green thumbs" that I'm sure will be willing to help, maybe repost your questions in the thread on plants: ,http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...splay.php?f=65 will get you more responses.

**Cliff** · 11-09-2013, 06:30 PM

Welcome to the forum

+1 to Steeler's post

It could also be helpful to know more about your lighting as well

**Misse** · 11-09-2013, 06:41 PM

Hi again

My lighting is two 25w Type T bulbs- this was recommended to me by a friend who told me that these bulbs were great for plants because they are 5000 k. I'm not sure what the k stands for *blushes, embarrassed*

**Misse** · 11-09-2013, 06:44 PM

Hi
I have two T-Type bulbs, each 25w. It is an older hood.
I was told by a friend that these would work well for plants due to them being "5000k" and i was also told that "below 5000k the plants won't have a chance" I'm not sure what 5000k even means, i am embarrassed to say.

**madagascariensis** · 11-09-2013, 07:14 PM

The k refers to color temperature. I have to admit that I don't completely understand the concept either, but higher color temp bulbs tend to be bluer(used for marine applications) while lower temp bulbs tend to be more yellow. Natural sunlight is approx. 6500 k if I remember correctly, and bulbs between 5000-6000 k are best for plants. For a planted tank you should have at least 2 watts per gallon of flourescent light. Bettas aren't bottom dwellers. I don't think a betta cares much about its substrate, so you could replace your pea gravel with a good plant substrate like Eco complete or flourite(some members also just use sand with great results).

**gadget228** · 11-10-2013, 09:15 AM

Welcome to the AC...

**fishmommie** · 11-10-2013, 03:22 PM

Hi Misse
I planted my betta tank last spring. Here's a link to a photo journal walking through all the steps. It may or may not help you so but I thought I'd share.
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...d.php?t=112307