[kirsten]

I have previous 3 years experience in keeping detailed bio-tope tanks, but it has been 4 years since I broke up my last tank after getting into reptiles 8 years ago. I got a 30 litre tank today, with filter/heater/uv light with the intention of getting back into some fish. Betta are my faves, so bought my tank with one in mind. The tank is a MESS right now, plain, boring and the previous owner didn't pay attention to what the fish were, she just bought what she liked the look of, so many of the fish need to be sold, or taken to an aquatics for store credit.

I'm hoping to make a planted mini biotope, so i'm looking for new substrate, suitable plants etc. let it all settle, then add in some cherry shrimp, cory's a few placid, plain tetra. I've read a recommendation for african dwarf frogs? anyone had these before? and anything else anyone can think of/recommend?

Could someone give me a bit of a guide for the right sort of plants and woods to recommended for a 30 litre eco system. also somewhere to buy a VERY nice Betta, as he'll be the centre piece fish! so I would like a particularly nice one.


thank you.

 

[Spot]

Hi,

I used to have African Dwarf Frogs and they are terrific little guys for a peaceful tank.

They like company so it's best to get 2 of them and they need plants/rocks/caves or similar to feel safe. You can get pelleted food for them (ZooMed makes some I think) but also like a treat of frozen or freeze-dried bloodworm. They aren't great foragers though (I think their eyesight's a bit crappy) and are best fed with their food being placed on a little saucer or flat pebble - right in front of them! Don't have them in water more than about 30cm deep and you definitely need a tank cover. Oh and make sure you do NOT get clawed frogs - they will not stay titchy!

A couple of froggies, some shrimp and a betta would make a great 30L, but the betta will eat shrimplings (or is it shrimplets?) if it finds them - but plants will help on that score.

I wouldn't load a tank that small with any other fish tbh. Err on the side of caution with respect to the bioload.

Sources - Planted Aquarium Specialists, Aquarium Plants, Mixed Boxes of Aquatic Plants, Substrates, CO2 Sets, Fertilisers, Diffusers and LED Lighting Systems
sell everything you could want, including shrimp and their needs.

Dwarf African Aquatic Frog : Direct Tropicals
have shrimp and froggies.

Pet Supplies, Aquariums, Ponds, Fish Tanks and Pet Food from Seapets

have plants and substrates etc. Their prices are usually very good but don't sell livestock online.

Really good bettas are a bit tricky to get right now - the two online suppliers I know good things of seem to be down for the winter:

BETTA SPLENDENS, BETTAS, BETTAS FOR SALE UK,BREEDING BETTAS,SIAMESE FIGHTING FISH,SIAMESE FIGHTER UK BETTA FORUM
Home - Quality Bettas

Anyway, sorry for the essay! :blush: Hope it's helpful.

 

[Arcadiajohn]

The goldfish bowl in oxford has some of the nicest and most expensive bettas I have ever seen. Barry has a real passion for the prize winning fish! Well worth a look!

John

 

[kirsten]

cheers guys, both REALLY great responses.