How to maintain a Betta tank with live plants

[vimster]

I've been struggling to keep my live plants healthy in my 5-gallon betta tank. The leaves keep turning brown, and I'm not sure if it's the lighting or the substrate. Using a basic LED light and gravel substrate. Any tips?

[havenmix]

Yo, gravel's kinda sketchy for plants, tbh. You gotta get some root tabs or switch to a planted substrate like Fluval Stratum. Also, how long you running the lights? Too much or too little can mess with the plants.

[mintleaf]

Lighting duration is critical. I run my LED for 8 hours daily with a timer. For a 5-gallon, you might need a stronger light if it's basic. Also, check for nutrient deficiencies. Brown leaves often indicate a lack of iron or potassium. Liquid fertilizers like Seachem Flourish can help.

[tigerino]

Ayy, I feel you. My plants were dying too till I switched to sand with root tabs. Now they're thriving. Also, bettas dig the softer substrate. Win-win, ya know?

[annaGal]

What's your water change routine? Plants can suffer if there's too much waste buildup. I do 20% weekly changes and dose with Excel for algae control. My anubias and java fern are doing great.

[vimster]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try root tabs and adjust the lighting. Didn't realize gravel was such a bad choice for plants.

[clouds]

What's your water change routine? Plants can suffer if there's too much waste buildup. I do 20% weekly changes and dose with Excel for algae control. My anubias and java fern are doing great.

I second this. Regular water changes are key. Also, if you're not already, consider adding a small sponge filter. It's gentle for bettas and helps with water quality.

[floraz]

I had the same issue with my plants. Turned out my tap water had high phosphates. Switched to RO water and now everything's green and happy. Maybe test your water params?

[jovial]

Don't stress too much, mate. Plants can be finicky at first. Start with easy ones like java moss or anubias. They're hardy and don't need much light or fancy substrate.

[sandio]

My betta loves swimming through the java fern. It's low maintenance and doesn't need planting, just tie it to a rock or driftwood. Super easy for beginners.