Hello, More Experienced Fish Parents.
Long story, short — My kids got 2 female bettas a couple months ago, and it’s our first experience as fish owners. After bad local CPS advice, emergency supply purchases, and a replacement fish, they’re currently in two 3G tanks with integrated HOB filters and preset heaters. One tank is cycled, one is part-way there. Want more details? You can read my intro story here.
We just bought a 20G Long (thank you Petco sale!) with a lid. I started getting some great suggestions on my welcome thread (linked above), but I’m always open to more. The goal is a planted tank with hopes of a community/sorority tank someday. Here’s where I’m at so far (probably all AOC unless specified or ya’ll tell me otherwise):
- Divider — not sure if I want black or clear. If I want a community or sorority eventually, should I go clear with lots of tall plants to expose the females to each other now? If not, I’m going with a Life With Pets black divider.
- Two sponge filters with air stones — should I go with medium filters since the goal is a community?
- Air pump — with AOC, will I need two? (I know I could use a gang valve, but would one handle the lid with tightened air stones in each filter?) How loud will that be?
- Adjustable heater
- Air valves, check valves, tubing,
- Nicrew ClassicLED light
- I’m so overwhelmed with substrate. I’m probably going with anubias, Java fern, crypts, dwarf sag, or any of the easy plants that don’t require CO2. I do want some Cory’s or Kuhli’s, though. So I don’t know what substrate to get that won’t make cycling water parameters a pain in my butt but that will be beneficial for the fishies and whatever plants. Did I mention that I’ve never done plants before? We’ll, I’ve just barely started hanging some pothos over their tanks now, but that doesn’t count.
I’m 100% sure I’m overthinking it at this point…