1800 Rupees Budget Planted Betta Tank Setup | Low Budget Aquarium, by MsPetLovers on YouTube. 9 min 59 s.
- Video length
- 9 min 59 s
- Time to do it
- 2 hours plus 2 to 4 weeks cycl
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Choose a tank of 20 to 40 litres. A bigger volume holds steadier water and costs little more than a tiny bowl, which is not suitable for a betta.
Rinse the empty tank with plain water only, no soap. Add a 5 to 7 cm layer of aquarium soil, or sand if you want a cheaper option.
Place your rocks and driftwood on the substrate before adding water. Press them down so they sit firm and cannot topple onto the fish later.
Plant the rooted plants like amazon sword straight into the soil. Tie java fern and anubias to rocks or wood with thread instead of burying them.
Fill the tank slowly, pouring onto a plate or a plastic bag so the substrate stays in place. Add water conditioner to the tap water as you go.
Fit the filter and set the heater to about 26 to 27 C. Keep the filter flow gentle, since bettas dislike a strong current.
Cycle the tank for 2 to 4 weeks before buying the fish. Test for ammonia and nitrite and wait until both read zero.
Float the bag with your betta in the tank for 15 minutes, then add small amounts of tank water every 10 minutes before releasing it.
Add a lid, because bettas jump. Set a light timer for 6 to 8 hours a day and change about 25 percent of the water each week.
Tips and common mistakes
Rinse everything with water only, as soap residue can kill fish.
Cheap, slow-growing plants like java fern and anubias last longer than delicate stems.
Do not add other fish with a betta in a tank this small, and skip tank mates entirely at first.
A bare filter with no cycled media is the usual reason new tanks fail, so give the cycle real time.
Questions
Can I put the betta in on the same day?
No. A new tank has no bacteria to handle fish waste, so let it cycle for 2 to 4 weeks and test first. Fish added early often get sick.
Do I need a heater if my room is warm?
A heater is safer. Bettas do best at a steady 26 to 27 C, and room temperatures swing at night.
How much can I save on plants?
Buy small pots of java fern, anubias and moss rather than large specimens. They grow on and can be split into more pieces later.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
