Equipment and Setup

The Fluval Nano Lamp delivers excellent spectrum coverage for healthy plant growth. Its LED technology provides energy efficiency while the adjustable settings allow for natural day/night cycling – perfect for both plants and fish.

Water quality management comes courtesy of the Superfish Eco-Flow 120, handling both mechanical and biological filtration effectively. The gentle flow rate works well for Bettas, who prefer calmer water conditions over strong currents.

The Dennerle heater maintains consistent tropical temperatures in the 24-26°C range that Bettas thrive in. Reliable temperature control is essential for fish health and helps promote natural behaviors and vibrant coloration.

I’m evaluating the addition of CO2 injection to enhance plant growth further. While the current plant growth is solid, additional CO2 could boost photosynthesis, leading to healthier plants and better oxygen production for our future Betta.

This aquarium has relocated to the attic to make room for a new project downstairs. The quieter environment up there will be ideal for a Betta, providing a peaceful territory with minimal disturbances. The few fish visible in the pictures have moved along with this setup from their previous tank, helping to maintain the established ecosystem during the transition.

While this tank settles into its new location, we’re already working on the next aquarium project. The hardscape for that setup is complete and ready for the next phases.

[Check out the progress on our new aquarium project: http://wordpress.local/index.php/2025/08/05/new-aquarium-project-hardscape-complete/]

The anticipation is building as we wait for the cycling to complete before introducing our Betta to this carefully crafted environment. Every aspect has been designed with Betta care in mind – from the gentle filtration to the planted hideouts and open swimming areas.

This project represents careful planning and patience, and we’re almost there. The tank is cycling well, the plants are getting established, and the equipment is running perfectly. Once the nitrogen cycle is fully established, our Betta Splendens is going to have an excellent home.

The transition from empty glass box to living ecosystem never gets old, and watching it all come together has been rewarding. Soon we’ll add the final piece – a beautiful Betta that will bring this underwater landscape to life.

More updates coming as we introduce the new fish and continue documenting the aquarium’s development.