Kissy's 5g planted tank

[Kissyboots]

I got my five gallon tank in the middle of December 2007 after I got three swordtail fry. I just threw them in there without the tank being cycled and they survived. (Unfortunately they all died for unknown reasons later.) I kept the tank bare until they were big enough to find food and used gravel from my twenty gallon along with a cave like thing. I recently added a plant from the twenty gallon as well. At the beginning I put in Finfin (my second male betta) along with two ghost shrimp. One of the ghost shrimp died after which I added two otos (Gaby and Sonja.) I kept switching Finfin and Kissyboots (my female beta) and now it is empty since Kissyboots recently died. I want to add a dwarf puffer soon along with two more otos.

Time line of tank:
When I first used it, it didn’t have anything in it. Later I added gravel and a cheap background (blue construction paper) that I later removed.



With rock structure.



Then I added “plant” from the 20g that was dying due to lack of light for more than a week.



It died so I removed it too. Then I stole one of the plants from the 20g and that is the current setup.




My new plan is to put 2 otos and a puffer in there. All suggestions and comments are welcome.

[jen0910]

I think that a piece of driftwood or a real rock would look good in there instead of the fake rock. I have the same tank and I really like how it looks with driftwood in it. And also, (just in case you didn't know) they sell compact flourescent lights at walmart that will fit those hoods instead of the regular incandescent.

[Kissyboots]

You think I should change the lighting? I don't really want to if I don't have too...
The fake rock cost me like $15 and I have no where else to use it so I thought I'd just leave it in there for now and for mr. puffer who will soon join in the fun, I hope!

[MOsborne05]

I think the puffer will like the rock better than driftwood, because the rock has a cave that the puffer can explore.

I think it looks good. You could try to put some more plants in there, but you don't have much room

[Kissyboots]

Originally Posted by MOsborne05

I think it looks good. You could try to put some more plants in there, but you don't have much room

Yeah, I want more plants, but there's not much room in a 5g. I hate that tank. Out of the three I have, that one is my least favorite. The bigger, the better!

[emmanuelchavez]

Originally Posted by Kissyboots

Yeah, I want more plants, but there's not much room in a 5g. I hate that tank. Out of the three I have, that one is my least favorite. The bigger, the better!

I love my 5 gallon! Well, I loved it more when I took out that same decoration out of mine b/c I had more room for plants

Check that out

Before with the huge ornament!



Afterwards, with a smaller cave, and more plants - The water sprite has grown more... and then I'm going to remove that non-aquatic purple waffle plant and add some Dwarf Hairgrass if i can't find any Dwarf Baby Tears - it'll be awesome. I'm going to bring out my other 5 gallon and turn it into a Shrimp only tank! I'm excited now!





You can always save that decoration for when you get another tank
You know it's inevitable! You're developing that MTS - Multiple Tank Syndrome.

BTW, those compact flourescent lights are much better! You'll notice the difference. It really helps with plant growth.

EDIT: I'm also going to try to add a java moss wall on the back to try to cover up all those wires, and because It'll look pimp in my opinion. I hope I've inspired you to do a more heavily planted tank.

[jen0910]

Those compact flourescent lights are only like 5 bucks and I think it would help if you want plants.

EDIT: Emmanuel, I had some extra background left over from my 10g and i put it on the 1 back panel of my hex and it doesn't look bad at all, if you want to cover some of the wires.

[Kissyboots]

Hmmm. I took the other plant from the 20g and put it in the 5g. Doesn't look that great does it? But I wanted to give the future puffer more plantiness...

[jen0910]

I don't think it looks bad.

[Adorkable]

I like it with the new plant added Kissy