Topic: Betta tank Gravel

[Rin4Christ]

I am thinking about buying new gravel for my 20 gal divided tank before I cycle it. I plan to keep 5 Bettas in it(I currently only own 2). It will have Javamoss and 1/2 coconut caves in each section.

What do you have in your tank? What is your favorite setup? What do you think would look best for my tank?

[BettAtrick]

tahitian moon sand!

[Rin4Christ]

what is that?

[BettAtrick]

it's black sand...i'll look for pictures...brb

[BettAtrick]

you can check out the rest of his tanks in this link...the tahitian moon sand tanks are near the bottom.
http://www.rcorrigan.com/fishpix.htm

cheapest price here w/ shipping...
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441781393&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030109&bmUID=1118463798518

[Rin4Christ]

I was thinking about black or white for a good contrast to show of the bettas colors. I dunno if white will start to look dingy though.

[BettAtrick]

yea, you can really see the dirt with the white sand.  the black sand is just so contrasting with the bettas colors.  You can see the dirt on the black, but it shouldn't be as bad as white...but w/ sand, it's eaiser to spot the gunk and siphon it out.

in gravel or marbles, the waste will sink to the bottom.

that's why for my tanks i like to keep them bare bottom...just makes easier cleaning for my 100% water changes.

in my 30 gallon i have those white flat marbles, and I hate them because i have algae growing on them and it makes the tnak look like dirty.  I would go w/ black, but i'm too lazy to switch them out.

[Rin4Christ]

Is there any problems with sand in a beta tank? is it harder to clean? Seems like vacuming would just suck up all your sand.

[BettAtrick]

if you get the right sand, the vaccuum will be enough to lift the sand up, but the sand will sink back down.  I've seen it done at the petshop before.  So potentialy it may be be more maintenance, but you will actually get rid of all the waste...

as for maintenance, maybe since you can see the waste...but at least you know it's not deep down in the bottom.  Also, you won't really be able to plant real plants in the substrate since there's not that much aeration or way for nutrients to get in between the tightly packed sand...

[Rin4Christ]

plants isn't much of a problem, all I play to put in is Javamoss. I have 0 luck with plants in genneral. I have trouble keeping Aloe alive....