Live and silk plants together?

[wicked]

I got 2 bettas a week ago and just put them each in their own 10 gallon tank 2-3 days ago. 10 gallons for one small fish is a bit extreme but it was cheaper than getting the smaller tanks. The tanks are not divided and not filtered. They each have gravel, a few silk plants and a coffee cup as decorations. I don't know if the cup is lead-free, I assumed it would be because people drink out of it but now I'm not sure and might have to remove it.

I would like to add java moss or fern to the tank but before I do I thought I would ask if there will be some weird reaction that occurs when live plants and silk plants are placed in the same tank. That's an odd question but better safe than sorry.

Thanks for your advice!! These are my first bettas and I'm going a little crazy researching them.

[tagMAN]

i dont think so but idk i just got some live plants my self java fern rotala indica and a banana plant i put them in my 2.5 mini bow and its lookin good

[sawcat]

I personally don't like java moss because it always gets sucked out when I do water changeds. Java ferns are good, and anacharis if you've got a light for the tank. Also banana plants, they're quick growers, and Nana's are a nice low light plant.

No reactions All of mine have had a mix. Did you get a hood or light fixture for them? Most plants need some light. And on the mug, go back through some of the older messages, there was a post asking about mugs a few months back.

If you don't mind me saying, you might seriously consider getting them filters and cycling their tanks, as it would make water changes easier. I know one type of plant I got (the crypts) it's said that they don't like being moved around alot (not sure on the truth in this, but I don't want to risk it), so not having full or large water changes would help.

[wicked]

Thank you for the input.

I don't have lights for the tanks but they get indirect sunlight. I've already decided to get rid of the mugs. And I've been researching filters so that I have an idea of what to look for when I go to get them.

I really appreciate the plant info I just wasn't sure about mixing them. Thanks!

[daleekee]

Hey wicked, I'm new at this, too, and my betta setup is similar to yours. I have a filtered and heated ten gallon tank for my betta, and he seems as happy as can be. I initially decorated the tank with some plastic plants, which I thought were somewhat expensive. They look great, but I feel like the betta doesn't have much "use" for them. I have read that some bettas like to rest on the leaves of some plants. Either my betta is far to active for resting at all, or he doesn't like the feel of even the broad-leaf plastic plants. The texture of the plants is a bit rubbery, so I'm not terribly concerned about his fins getting torn, but your silk plants are probably a wiser investment. I've recently been thinking about adding some live plants for all the potential benefits I've been reading about. I bought a small java fern today to start out with, and after I do some more research, I'm hoping to add some more. I'll most likely add more ferns and possibly a banana plant. I've considered java moss, since I hear that bettas LOVE it, but it also sounds like it's a little bit harder to maintain. I do have a light for my tank (incandescent, I think), and I'm considering adding some aquarium plant food to make the fern grow a little faster. Anyway, like I said, I'm a newbie, but I totally recommend getting a filter (though I already don't recommend Top Fin filters if you're willing to spend a little more...I mean, mine seems to work fine, but I get the feeling that it's "bottom of the line," so to speak). Don't skimp on the heater either. Some are downright schizophrenic. After doing extensive research, I added three cory cats to the tank to keep my betta company. Probably not such a great idea. It looks like my betta attacked one of them at some point, and this poor cat looks pretty beat up. I hear it all depends on the betta's particular personality, though.