Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I read that my bettas would benefit from at least one live plant in the tank. (I have two bettas in a 5 gallon tank). Right now, all they have is silk plants. The tank is crystal clear and so easy to maintain. My question is: if I add one or more live plants, will I encounter some challenges such as algae and snails?

What plants would you recommend?

Thanks!
Carolin

You would risk introducing the snails to your tank if you don't clean the plants, but even then you can still miss the small ones. Algae would also be a problem if you leave the light on more than 4 hours a day for the plants. The only thing live plants do for bettas is give them more dissovled oxygen, which can also be provided with a bubbler of many varieties. If you would still prefer live plants, let me know so I can make your post a hot topic to give you ideas on which plants are easiest.
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Phishie

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Thanks for the advice. I think I will stay away from live plants for now. There seems to be enough dissolved oxygen in the water since I installed that small filter. (Before that, the bigger fish hung out at the surface to breath most of the time.) At this point, it seems to be a pretty perfect set-up. Why change that?

Thanks again!

Carolin

Exactly! Good luck.

>>Thanks for the advice. I think I will stay away from live plants for now. There seems to be enough dissolved oxygen in the water since I installed that small filter. (Before that, the bigger fish hung out at the surface to breath most of the time.) At this point, it seems to be a pretty perfect set-up. Why change that?
>>
>>Thanks again!
>>
>>Carolin
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Phishie

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."