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6 Betta Fish Tank Mistakes I Made That You Can Avoid!
In this video, I delve into some critical mistakes I made with my beginner-friendly betta fish tank, hoping to help you avoid them in your own setups. From ignoring illness signs to issues with plants and tank setup, learn from my experiences to ensure your betta fish thrive.
Ignoring Illness Signs:
The first and most significant mistake I made was overlooking potential signs of illness in my betta fish, Stitch. As you can see, Stitch recently experienced tail rot, which also affected his back. He's doing much better now, and I'm hopeful for his full recovery. However, I initially noticed a dark patch on his tail about a week before the hole formed. I dismissed it as a color change, a common occurrence for Stitch due to his marble gene. This gene causes his color to change frequently, which led me to overlook the infection. Unfortunately, this cost us a week of valuable treatment time. Lesson learned: always double or even triple-check any changes in your fish's appearance to catch potential health issues early.
Bucephalandra Issues:
Next up, I encountered problems with the Bucephalandra Red Scorpio in the tank, which has nearly melted away. There could be several reasons for this, but I believe the primary issue was using too much glue to secure the plant to the rock. Excessive glue likely covered too much of the plant, preventing it from growing properly and leading to its demise. Additionally, the low lighting in the tank may have contributed, as some Bucephalandra species prefer slightly higher light levels. My Bucephalandra Sintang and Bucephalandra Theia Green are thriving, suggesting the issue was specific to the Red Scorpio. I'm now exploring better ways to secure epiphyte plants without using glue.
India Green Gnome Problems:
Another issue arose with using India Green Gnome as my Java Fern of choice for the tank. Despite being listed as an easy plant with low light requirements, the Green Gnome had several leaves turn brown and start to fail. I almost chose Java Fern Trident instead and now wish I had, as it might have been a better fit for my setup. The India Green Gnome is a naturally occurring type of Microsorum from Southwestern India, and its polymorphic nature might be a factor. Despite similar low light levels, I've successfully grown regular Java Fern, Java Fern Latifolia, and Java Fern Trident in other tanks. I suspect that decaying plant leaves may have contributed to Stitch's infection, despite regular water changes in the tank.
Manual Light Setup:
Managing a manual light setup has also been challenging. While I'm usually diligent about turning the light on in line with feeding times, I've frequently forgotten to turn it off. Thankfully, this hasn't resulted in algae issues, but inconsistent lighting periods may have contributed to some plant problems. I'm considering switching to an automated light with a timer, like the Seora light I use in my shrimp tanks. This change could provide a more consistent photoperiod and help prevent future plant issues.
Overplanting:
The tank is heavily planted with epiphyte and floating plants, all drawing nutrients from the water column. With an inert substrate and minimal nutrient input from fish waste, I had to start dosing liquid fertilizers to address yellowing plants. This was an unexpected but necessary adjustment. Proper nutrient management is crucial in heavily planted tanks to ensure all plants receive the nutrients they need.
Lava Rock Concerns:
Lastly, I'm concerned that the rough surface of the lava rock might have scratched Stitch, potentially allowing the infection to take hold. While others successfully use black lava rock in their tanks, I’m considering smoother alternatives like Seiryu Stone, Hakkai Stone, or river pebbles to reduce this risk. Though I may never know for certain if the lava rock was a factor, it's worth considering all options to ensure the safety and health of your fish.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro
00:09 - Mistake 1
01:12 - Mistake 2
02:32 - Mistake 3
03:50 - Mistake 4
05:02 - Mistake 5
06:56 - Mistake 6
Some of the links in this video description may be affiliate links meaning I earn a small commission from any purchases made.
