Planted Grow-out Tanks

I started keeping planted tanks when I was an undergraduate at Washington State University (Go Cougs!). Living in the dorms was fun for the first two years, but even though I was living in the best dorm on campus (go Honors Hall!)...it was still incredibly cramped!

I used to prefer more elaborate planted tanks for grow outs. I still maintain planted tanks, but most of my tanks are now extremely low-tech, bare bottom tanks with driftwood and spawning mops. The plants I love to use now are java moss, java fern, pelia (subswassertang), hornwort, and guppy grass. It is MUCH easier to maintain them! I do miss my aquascaped tanks though. Perhaps one day when I have more time and energy I will maintain them again.

I like having a couple of other betta-friendly fish in my tanks to keep things interesting. I usually combine spawns in the grow-out to save space. MAKE SURE they are easy to tell apart! Otherwise you won't know who is who!

30 gallon planted grow out tank

20 gallon planted for juvenile/adult Betta burdigala

Tank Mates

Juvenile bettas can be kept with a variety of paceful tank mates. I usually have snails, bristlenose plecos, cory cats, and even a marmokreb (self-cloning crayfish!) My marmokreb does not bother any of the fish and is a strict vegetarian. Beware of similar looking crayfish species that will gladly eat off all of your little fish! Test drive them with some culls first so you know if they are fish-safe or not!

I fly like paper, get high like planes...Long fin salt and pepper cory bred by Waylon Pon

Long fin bristlenose pleco that I've had since she was only an inch long. She's named Bitch Fish because she can really hold her own!