How I Set Up a Planted Betta Tank (Detailed Version)

[@GirlTalksFish]

*If you're curious, here was my first tutorial on making a planted betta tank. Do you think I've improved in the past 3 years? 😉 **kzbin.info/www/bejne/gH60dH2meZprhZI*

[@xXdutchieeeXx]

I think you’ve improved a lot. Keep up with the amazing job your doing 😁

[@bethanybarthel1544]

Yes definitely! But now I'm scared about what you said at the end of the video. ♥️😅

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

You have gotten betta and betta😁👍💯🌿🐟💚

[@GirlTalksFish]

@@marypaigeflynn4512 😂🤣😂

[@kingmanoj100]

Hi mam.. how to grow green algae in shrimp tank.... Bloody mary

[@SonyaBarnesOnMove]

Great info! Embarrassing confession: I have had a beta for 2 years in a 1 gallon tank and just found out that is bad! I’m building my first community beta tank and hope to venture into live plants, too. Wish me luck!

[@theknittingrev]

We all start somewhere! :D Excited for your new adventure! Community tanks are so fun!

[@mandypdx]

How is it going? I have a female betta in a 10 gallon. I added 5 tetras and she killed all of them overnight. All bettas are different...I have a male living with 5 mollies and he thinks he’s one of them 🙏

[@SonyaBarnesOnMove]

@@mandypdx really well! My beta is so chill! We got a 10 gal, added live plants and tetras, then introduced him and all is well. The snails that snuck in are another story altogether though lol

[@rat_dragon]

I wish you great luck! Species tanks (i.e. tanks with one species of aquatic pet) are fun! I love my yellow tiger koi roundtail plakat female Thundra (named after a Marvel character), long-finned veiltail super red dwarf female Val (named after Valentine's day for her bright red coloration), half-blind super red crowntail male Captain Redbeard (you can probably guess why he has that name), and my odd wild-type, eight-finned super delta Banana! All of them live in their own 15 gallon tanks heavily-planted like a jungle! Live plants are the creme de la creme, the best-of-the-best! They absorb ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, heavy metals, and provide beautiful cover for your pet! Most aquatic creatures "require" them to stay healthy and stress-free (well, maybe not "required" but it certainly is best and preferred). Low-maintenance plants I recommend for beginners are hygrophila polysperma, egeria aka elodea/anacharis/water weed, duckweed, frogbit, dwarf water lettuce, valisneria/val, java ferns, aponogeton aka 'bulb plant', and anubias. If you want riparium/paludarium plants try chinese evergreen, pothos, philodendron, purple waffle, wandering jew, common ivy, fittonia, aluminum plant, ferns, or any plant labeled as 'tropical', 'keep soil moist', etc. How about aquaponics? You can grow tomatoes, sweet potato, basil, strawberries, and many more! The aquarium hobby is vast, fascinating, expensive, and time-consuming but as long as you get it right eventually (it doesn't even have to be the first time), you should succeed. Just remember to cycle your tank, keep a filter with biological filtration, substrate for the plant roots as well as beneficial bacterial, use a heater set at 76-82°F, feed quality foods high in protein, low in fiber, and with a large amount of insects, feed a variety of foods including frozen or live, especially daphnia which is great for digestion (avoid too much freeze-dried foods and frozen bloodworms as these cause digestive issues), and perform frequent 25% water changes once a week or every other week with plenty of live plants. Sorry for the long comment but I hope this helps! If you need more info, feel free to private message (PM) me @justafishservant on Fishlore! Good luck, my fish-loving friend ;)

[@meggrotte4760]

Oh don't worry I had a beautiful crown tail and he was in a half gallon happily thriving I moved him up to a 3 gallon and the poor guy croaked within a week that tank was properly cycled I kept him in his old tank until it was completely cycled. Luckily I got a beautiful picture of him one is Lily pad so at least I have his memory. Don't worry we all start from somewhere and it's way better than a flower vase I'm an American living in Taiwan lot of bettas live in a flower vase

[@christinecho779]

I really appreciate these tank journal type videos! A lot of people just put together a beautiful aquascape then never show you what happened to the fish, if things worked out etc. betta fish can be tricky, so thanks for showing us the good and the bad!

[@KittenCece]

Your videos are my favorite on all of KZbin, fish related or otherwise. They’re just so well structured, complete, come with a visual of how to do things - and still all so peaceful

[@hannahsms3816]

I agree. It is very organized and well edited. She also doesn’t post often so you know she spends a lot of time and care on these videos.

[@rat_dragon]

When I see "Girl Talks Fish", I click immediately 😄

[@betta1.06]

Same hehe

[@emmamiller3235]

Lol 😂 same here :)

[@YellowShep]

samee

[@disgustingpulls]

Definitely one of the channels, that I look up if I don't see them in my subscription feed for a bit. Just in case I miss a video 🤣

[@rat_dragon]

@@disgustingpulls Same here, I absolutely CANNOT skip a video!

[@ivygarcia6878]

Step 1: run the new filter in an established tank Me, who has never had a tank before: *surprised Pikachu face*

[@GirlTalksFish]

Lol! Hopefully you have a friend or local hobbyist that might be able to help with that. It really is the easiest way to cycle a new tank.

[@LG-jb9zs]

There's pre-made bacterial mixes that you can buy at some pet stores that help to set up a good bacteria colony in a new tank. I've mostly seen BIO-Spira Freshwater Bacteria from Marineland.

[@ivygarcia6878]

@@LG-jb9zs yes, thank you :) that comment was made 4 weeks ago and I've done my research since then :D many people seem to be against it though for reasons like: we don't know how long it's been sitting on the shelf, don't know if it was exposed to extreme temperatures, etc. I'm still learning and trying to decide what would be the best approach

[@j-art0221]

You're one of my favorite aquarium hobby vlogger. You have a very nice and welcoming tone. I learned a lot from you. Much love here from the Philippines were we don't usually used heaters. In summer aquarium temperature gets up 82 deg and in rainy season the coldest would be 74 deg.

[@HeyItsJA]

Colorado represent! Thank you for breaking this down. I've never kept betta before, and I have a handful of small tetras left in my low tech planted 20 long that are almost aged out, so this seems like an interesting option.

[@vane3593]

i’m starting my first ever fish tank (for a betta and hopefully some mates) and i wanted to include plants for extra nutrition/hiding and i’ve been doing a bunch of research and you’re the first youtuber who was actually helpful and included links for everything ! thanks 🥹🥹

[@sugarsenshi9352]

I just wanted to pop in and say I adore your videos. I just got a betta and really wanted to give him a great home so I've been searching videos on KZbin and found you! You have quickly become one of my top 10 favourite channels. I just find your videos so satisfying to watch even if I only have a betta tank I end up watching all kinds of your videos! 💖

[@neuroidcastle]

You have a gift, this video is amazing, fun and inspiring. Thank you for making it!

[@sisc7955]

I'm going to get a beta fish for my birthday and I'm watching your vids to find of under stand how it works I'm so excited to have a beta for the first time

[@JayCee7834]

Can’t wait to see next week’s episode, I’ll be tuning in.

[@victoriacavaliere9333]

LOL as an avid sonic player, I appreciate the names coming straight from the game, the fish and snail look just like them haha

[@traserdean3716]

YO I'M IN COLORADO TOO!! Thank god someone understands the weather problems xD

[@jenxu2]

You are my favorite fish person! I really love how you get the details for us. Thank you so much! I hope Sonic and the Nerites snail made it. I'm looking forward to the next video!

[@LiterateMuck]

I can't believe the snail's name is Eggman. It's so good. I laughed so hard. (Love your videos as well. I've just discovered them.)

[@nekomatanyah]

I wish I would have seen this before I setup my newest tank, I also used the eco complete substrate and didn’t realize that would cause an ammonia spike and was battling that for a good while, everything is evened out and healthy now but it was not an easy beginning thats for sure! Love the content, my favorite fish keeping KZbin by far, keep it up!! 👍🏽👍🏽

[@richie5930]

Hi just wandering what can be done to limit the ammonia spike from eco complete substrate ? I am planning a fish tank also soon thats why..

[@nekomatanyah]

@@richie5930 I did a daily 30-50% water change and had bacteria bio orbs (not sure if those effected anything but I used 2x the amount needed) in the filter compartment and double dosed searched prime each water change. I did this before I had fish but had introduced some water column feeding plants since the start to help! The liquid that comes in the bag with the eco complete is basically liquid fertilizer, you can dump a lot of it out (but would be taking a lot of the nutrients with it) but as porous as the substrate is will still have some left behind for the roots of plants, definitely not an expert but this helped me to get it ready with such an amount of initial ammonia!

[@richie5930]

@@nekomatanyah thank you for the reply.. one more thing does washing that eco substrate before putting in aquarium helps with loweing ammonia substrate or even leaving in water for some days and throwing that water away ?

[@WasabiLuV]

@@nekomatanyah what soil do you use now?

[@nekomatanyah]

@@WasabiLuV I kinda got lazy and cheap with my newest tank, all I use is black diamond blasting sand capped over a good amount of root tabs

[@Bru1sedHearts_xoxo]

I'm doing loads of reaserch before I get my Betta, I want to give them the best life possible.

[@michaelmachos8969]

IRENE! Funny seeing the Betta try and catch a faster fish!

[@GirlTalksFish]

Michael! Yes, I wish he was smart enough to know when to give up. 😑

[@pleaseleavesarayualone]

Omg im so desperately waiting for part 2! Great video as always irene,very informative!

[@GirlTalksFish]

Haha, I've already filmed it but it'll be a few weeks before I can get to editing it. Good news is that Sonic does finally get a happy ending to his saga. :)

[@pleaseleavesarayualone]

@@GirlTalksFish Yayy but the one im worried about is the snail😅😂🤣

[@GirlTalksFish]

@@pleaseleavesarayualone Don't worry - he's okay too! 👍

[@pleaseleavesarayualone]

@@GirlTalksFish hurray! That's amazing!

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

I always love a betta video and set up tutorial!! Especially when it's "Girl Talks Fish" "Hi my name is Mary Paige and I'm a Bettaholic" 🤣🤷😁🌿🐟🌿💚

[@YellowShep]

This is perfect i’m setting up a planted betta tank this week :)

[@user-lk1mq6ob9l]

☺️ I'm starting my first planted and beta tank. On time. 😊

[@michelled2993]

Seriously thank you so very much I'm very happy that I stumbled upon you because I have been dating I wanted one a betta fish and you have helped me out I still don't know 100% of all the chemicals and etc but following you you do go over a lot of important facts and good advice because you had to experience everything so I hope I can do as good as you eventually in time

[@Meandmymirror]

I like that bubbling sound that’s part of what I want out of this experience

[@Katy-km2vb]

I’m setting up my 20gallon for the second time 🤩. The first time I had some male endlers and a betta, the betta had long fins that’s were extremely damaged when I got him because he jumped into another Bettas tank. He healed a bit but after about 1year and a half developed fin rot and he got very sick when my parents were looking after him while I was away. He died about 3weeks later, even though water quality was fine 💔. I’m getting a healthy koi betta shortfin male now, scraping my tank and looking forward to getting back into fish keeping

[@gailcousins9609]

Hello Irene! I love this video. Your betta is beautiful in a lovely tank! I have two nerite snails and two otocinclus catfish in one of my ten gallon tanks with my betta O'Nimbus. They all get along well!

[@kevinburola889]

Tank looks great! Really like you choice of substrate and fertilizer method (root tabs) rather than soil.

[@ScruffyCityAquatics]

Great video as usual Irene. Im about to setup a 20 long for my daughters betta and I had just decided to use eco-complete. Thanks for the tips!

[@EddVCR]

Sonic & Eggman! Amazing! 😂 Wonderfully informative video! I love how you share what didn’t go right as well. It really helps me when I run into similar problems. Looking forward to part 2 of your adventure with Sonic & Eggman 😄

[@notnormal-j2q]

I had a dream where my betta fish barked at me.

[@BeeKayCee911]

I have a Aquarium Co-op addiction too🤣👍

[@lisamc1146]

Thanks!

[@janebackstrom6453]

Hello! Good to see you posting aquatic insight representing CO. I've heard it's hard to have fish here. I just got a Betta. She's ina two gallon tank now, but I am upgrading to 5 very soon.

[@o1Laydee]

Would love if aquarium co-op delivered to Canada!

[@sahirsewraj4821]

Best youtuber ever

[@amicah4517]

Can’t wait for part 2! How are your apistogrammas going?

[@maxnotrusso]

Love tank so much!!! Looks great yet still affordable!

[@vicshellyss]

Omg Im watching my friends betta rn and when you said “bettas like to jump” I was like I’m so glad when I go to sleep or leave the house I close the little vent on the lid /just to make sure/

[@kasieleow9608]

I have an old 1.5 gallon/2 gallon tank that I set up for a black orchid Betta fish named him Midnight. It's only got gravel for aquariums and some aquarium plants in it. That is it. I absolutely love it. I'm waiting for them to grow in now! It's got an aquarium light on it. I'll eventually get a heater for it and a thermometer to. This tank won't be set up any other way. I think it's perfect.

[@trin2804]

they need a 5+ gallon, please do research, 1.5 gallon should just be temporary

[@nz540im3]

Just tuned in. Looking forward to the video. A friend of mine has kept some cloud minnows for a month or so and has just added a betta. I would like a community tank but feel just the one fish would be a good place to start: and I have the financial means for a great tank for a single betta. I don’t want it in a cell. So looking forward to watching and learning a little more about how to make a great tank

[@sheliaglover565]

My 10 gallon aquarium came with the filter and heater plus the lid the filter cannot be adjusted in the flow rate is pretty fast blowing against some of my plants. Plus my heater was too tall as you said and it recommended that I use the suction cups and put it at a 45 degree angle I have planted some flowers back there I hope will fill in and push-up right now I have one guppy in there he was very territorial and ended up killing his tank mate three and a half gallon tank so instead of flushing him I just put him in that 10 gallon tank I had hoped to add my betta to it I have two new male guppies and an African small frog I guess I'll put them all in the 10-gallon and see if he gets along with them alright I also put a round mirror in the back corner and I think he thinks it's a fish tank mate thank you for your videos very helpful

[@xXdutchieeeXx]

When ever I see that notification, you know ima click it straight away. Love your vids ❤️

[@unusualaquariumecosystems5805]

That blue and orange one looks pretty good.

[@GirlTalksFish]

Thank you! He still bites his tail occasionally, but at least there's no fin rot.

[@unusualaquariumecosystems5805]

@@GirlTalksFish Oh I didn't know fish did that, we had a cat that used to chase her own tail.

[@mymysticaqua2952]

Nice video. 😊 Betta tank setups are amazing and easy.💁🏻‍♀️

[@_Ramen-Vac_]

Another great device for your heater is the Kill-a-Watt EZ multi-meter ~it can tell you if your heater is on and drawing proper current + about a million other things. You can even tell how much it's costing you per month.

[@woodenstuff6139]

You are so smart!!! And everything your suggesting and saying makes so much sense! Thank you this really helped me! Any suggesting plants? I’ve never touched a live plant!

[@heysoumya7287]

I have never had a good luck with Betta fish. No matter how much I improve they tend to get infections or diseases and pass away within 2years. That's why I am taking a step back and learning as much as possible.. probably in the next year I will create a ultimate Betta habitat!!

[@mexicanabeibi]

Thank you so much for this video!!! I purchased all suggestions and my tank looks amazing!!!

[@etiennelotriet4000]

Betta got serious concussion there😂😂

[@tryagain9098]

I'm intrigued to be a fish lover. Do you suggest 5 or a 10 gallon for one beta?? I wanna dip my toes in, and my research tells me a bets may be the right choice.

[@patrickshaw5955]

The link to the Digital thermometer goes to the temperature controller. :) heats up! Love your videos!

[@GirlTalksFish]

Oops, thanks for the catch!

[@mbastos1000]

Fantastic! I enjoyed very much!

[@LysbethMiranda]

Thank you so much for your videos! It helped me set up my betta fish tank!

[@noahlikesfish9211]

Eco complete is gravel. The fertilizer water is to make it nutrient rich

[@sofiaalessaaa]

Sonic, great name! (great tank too!)

[@camerondoucet5990]

He's a cute betta

[@JudahMaccabee_]

Hi! I read that it's better to use bright background as opposed to darker ones to help avoid too much reflections?

[@shesellsfish]

Eggman, OMG, I love that name for mr snail. Looking forward to part ll. 👍💓👍

[@GirlTalksFish]

Haha, it's such the perfect name, right? 🥚

[@shesellsfish]

@@GirlTalksFish Yep.

[@oreosryumme]

Curious question-the floating plants-I have some in my tank, but recently they've been blackening and then rotting away. They were thriving when I was adding the Aquarium-Co-Op easy fertilizer liquid, but I stopped as they were getting out of control at one point. I was wondering if maybe my light was too bright? But I haven't changed lights so it's weird that they were growing out of control to now rotting away. I've been using the hygger Full Spectrum Aquarium Light with Aluminum Alloy Shell Extendable Brackets, White Blue Red LEDs, External Controller, for Freshwater Fish Tank from Amazon Love your videos and always look forward to them! I hope you're having a great weekend :)

[@AmandaSpansel]

I’m about to get my first betta! I don’t want live aquarium plants yet, so If I just have the pathos stem in it do I still need fertilizer?

[@martintv9144]

Very professional. Respect

[@GirlTalksFish]

Thank you!

[@cyudong]

*taking notes*

[@Jushwa]

6:03 got me rewinding like wait what 🤯😆 too funny

[@MrChris2Fur]

Did not realize you live in Colorado as well! nice!

[@diannajuanes4174]

Awesome thanks for the plastic bag tip!

[@gloriaa.8938]

Amazing video! I learn so much every time I come to your channel! And also I have a question, what kind of water are you putting into your aquarium is it Ro water?

[@GirlTalksFish]

Nah, it's regular tap water but I use this water jug instead of a bucket because I feel like I have more control over how fast the water spills out. :)

[@gloriaa.8938]

@@GirlTalksFish Oh that's smart!

[@jaz58107]

Apart from what's going to be revealed in next week's instalment, that was a really helpful video. I'm setting up a 14 gallon soon & plan on using root tabs, thanks for showing us how to put them in the tank, I've never seen that included before. And I too can't wait till next week lol.

[@GirlTalksFish]

Oh good, I'm glad it helped! I ended up putting epiphyte plants (which don't need the substrate) on the right side, so I probably could've saved some money by not putting root tabs in that area. :P

[@stephanymendoza7301]

I have been binge watching your videos because even after having my betta for 1 year I still am learning. But I have been seeing other videos on how to take care of my betta and some use stability in their tanks i am not sure if that's something i should do?? Or is using prime conditioner all i need to add to the tank?

[@heaven7360]

Your videos are great to view and learn from.

[@karnage3809]

I got the same tank as you. Do you need mat under the tank? 😮

[@videoman1258]

Just saying your video are amazing

[@alondraduarte2492]

I’m new to the hobby and wanted to know how long I’m suppose to let it sit and filter for before I get my beta fish? I realized you let it sit in an already exsisting tank but I don’t have that so how long would I let it run for?in a new tank

[@shreyasitis5575]

Amazing stuff buddy

[@liaclipp]

This vid was so helpful!

[@rrahbit]

if i m not using planted plants what is a substrate that you recommend ..

[@Holy_Arm]

One day some of us will be successful in life 😍

[@WirTrivedi]

Plz make a video on y hornwort is not growing

[@shelbycombs4320]

“Because I want to waste more money” is so relatable 😂

[@Eleanor.kreuser]

I have been thinking about getting a Betta

[@karlavilla3831]

Which 10 gallon fish tank would you recommend!

[@nat1318]

Would Eco-planted aquarium substrate work the same ?? Bc that’s all my pet store had :/

[@devil-ot4zj]

Hey big fan from india (pune)

[@spiritliefe]

Those plastic flaps on the top can be cut so that you can fit your wires and lights in the holes you put in it. I cut it to fit my light and wires and there are no gaps!

[@GirlTalksFish]

I've always been so afraid to cut the plastic flap in case I change my aquarium arrangement, but I just found out that they sell replacements for the backstrip! Thank you for the tip. :)

[@GirlTalksFish]

Link in case anyone is looking for the same thing: www.liveaquaria.com/product/5346/?pcatid=5346

[@GUCCIPAPERPLATE]

Do you not need co2 for plants?

[@melissafeinberg2055]

I have been wanting that tank

[@thejohnsaye]

The battery backup for the usb air pump just blew my mind...

[@fluorescentalien5204]

at 8:03 when she says heartscape, what does that mean? Is that just the center of the tank?

[@N-A-H-I-R]

Hardscape is any decor in the tank that is rock/not plants

[@My.World.of_Cats]

Thank you so much for a very good info!

[@Covid--be6pi]

Hi I am Very New to this Aquarium Hobby So I really Need Your Help So I Got a 6 Gallon Tank Recently Dimensions Are : 15.74Inches x 9.05Inches x 9.84Inches (40cmx23cmx25cm) and I also Got A Good Internal Filter and the Temperatures are also All right as I Live in India my Water Temperature is around 26-28Celcius. And I Wanna Buy A Beautiful Looking And Hardy Fish. So can you suggest Me Fish Please Many Suggested Me Bettas But still I am not sure If I should get bettas or anything else. Which Fish do you Suggest Me? And Thx a Lot😃 For Making this Video it helped me a Lottttt

[@catstarr]

my 37 gal is in front of my air vent (only place to put it) but it has a 200 watt heater, will it be ok?

[@landonalbright209]

Very good video ❤🙏🏼

[@IamaKaliedoscope]

If you wanted to have a betta with some tankmates, would it be better to put the betta in first or put the other fish in first and then add the betta? Or all at the same time?

[@Tanu.shkaaa]

I need a guide for what to do when you bring the beta home and don't have a tank set up for it yet. Whats the fastest way to cycle the tank. I don't want him living in that cup for three weeks while I get the tank ready! I didn't know it'd take so long. Can I purchase spring water and use that for water changes in the cup?

[@diananoriega9570]

How to seed a filter if there is not another tank in the house or should we just us it new?

[@galejohnson8086]

QUESTION; how do you detect when snails die so they don’t foul the tank?

[@jamespatrick4684]

I have been using small pebbles as a substrate with the pumice stones hidden underneath. What is the advantage of using fine gravel substrate that you see you and others using?

[@reeannapritchard5554]

I have a question! My husband purchased a marineland portrait tank for my birthday, I wanted to put a betta in it. I already have all the supplies ordered and on their way... then learned that portrait tanks are not ideal for bettas. Would the particular type of betta affect its ability to thrive in this kind of tank? For instance, the more stream-lined bettas (much like the wild/natural bettas) having an easier time swimming to the surface? I have already adjusted the filter flow to low and added a heater, it is a planted tank with a pothos added for nitrate/nitrite processing. Smooth rocks to prevent fin-tearing/injury.

[@rejesus7106]

Plakat bettas

[@connienyiri5791]

Do you recommend a planted tank for someone that knows nothing about it? I’ve bought a 5 gallon kit and it’s still empty.