Update on Betta (good news), Q on Decorations

[Mike]

Hi all,

I really appreciate all of the help you've been over the last several
weeks. My betta is still doing well, but he's still alone. I've been
keeping an eye on the parameters, though, and I'm planning to bring in
some small tetras in a few days.

I have a few question about decorations. First off, Wal-Mart (my only
real LFS) sells plants for the aquarium, but I've read that you can't
really trust that they're made for an aquarium. What benefit would I
have from using a live plant versus an artificial? Keep in mind, I've
had issues with high nitrates, and the pH from the tap is a bit on the
acidic side (6.7-ish).

Also, I have a few seashells that would look good in my tank, but I'm
hesitant to use them because I've read that they can significantly
raise the water hardness. The two shells I'm wanting to use, though,
are ridiculously old; I found them on the beach about 17 years ago.
Would they still have an effect on the water?

Thanks again, all. My now-and-future fish-friends are VERY
appreciative of your help!

Mike

PS, my water temp is staying at 76-ish without a heater.

[NetMax]

"Mike" > wrote in message
om...
> Hi all,
>
> I really appreciate all of the help you've been over the last several
> weeks. My betta is still doing well, but he's still alone. I've been
> keeping an eye on the parameters, though, and I'm planning to bring in
> some small tetras in a few days.
>
> I have a few question about decorations. First off, Wal-Mart (my only
> real LFS) sells plants for the aquarium, but I've read that you can't
> really trust that they're made for an aquarium. What benefit would I
> have from using a live plant versus an artificial? Keep in mind, I've
> had issues with high nitrates, and the pH from the tap is a bit on the
> acidic side (6.7-ish).

Live plants will consume a small amount of ammonia, nitrites and
nitrates. Enough plants will keep these 3 parameters zero. When you
said you can't trust them, do you mean they carry bog plants
(semi-aquatic)? With enough light (nitrates & other nutrients), it's not
hard to grow some plants, and some other plants are always difficult.
Don't gauge your success (or others) on limited experiences. Buy a dozen
types and the ones which do best are the ones which will spread through
your tank. Hornwort is a good nitrate sponge. I've been told Java fern
is as well, but never observed it. Frogbit is very handy as it provides
shade for your Betta, provides a bubble-nest origin and it feeds directly
off the water column and is very close to your lights (making it a quick
starting plant). Frogbit is Limnobium laevigatum iirc.

> Also, I have a few seashells that would look good in my tank, but I'm
> hesitant to use them because I've read that they can significantly
> raise the water hardness. The two shells I'm wanting to use, though,
> are ridiculously old; I found them on the beach about 17 years ago.
> Would they still have an effect on the water?

Age will not effect the calcium content of the shells AFAIK. In a 55g, I
suspect they would not have too much effect. If your water is acidic,
then they would be beneficial to add (raises your kH). You would
probably watch them slowly dissolve over the year. The smaller the tank,
the more significant the effect of the seashells, so ymmv, take
measurements. You might want to rinse & boil the shells first (in case
there is a 17 year old hermit crab inside ;~)

NetMax

> Thanks again, all. My now-and-future fish-friends are VERY
> appreciative of your help!
>
> Mike
>
> PS, my water temp is staying at 76-ish without a heater.

[NetMax]

"High Flight" > wrote in message
...
> NetMax > says...
> > Hornwort is a good nitrate sponge. I've been told Java fern
> > is as well, but never observed it.
>
> Java fern is a good choice also because it requires just low light to
> flourish, and it's a slow grower. I started with one plant a few years
> ago, and now I farm out the excess to my LFS. Many of the leaves get
> higher than the water in a 10g.
>
> Jack

What's your pH Jack? Java fern doesn't seem to grow remarkably well in
any of my tanks, ranging from hard water under high light (8.4pH) to soft
water in all light conditions (7.6pH). The best description is that it
doesn't die, and occasionally sprouts a leaf. Perhaps my pH is too high,
or is it supposed to grow this slowly?

NetMax