2.5 Gallon College Bowl

[OSU15]

I used to be much more active in the fish hobby, but an unfortunate power outage and college got in the way of keeping my tanks. Now, I want to start getting back in the hobby in a small way with a 2.5 gallon bowl. My plan is to keep one cherry shrimp and one zebra snail in the bowl. I also want to add some small plants, maybe anubias nana and java moss. I know 2.5 is a very small tank, but I hope this limited stock will be okay.

I hope to set up the tank with the plants for a few weeks before adding the snail and cherry shrimp a few weeks apart. I think this should allow me to do a fishless cycle with just an increase in water changes. I have a sponge filter and a small heater for the tank, but I want to set it up and see if the heater is necessary before installing it. Also, I am going to cover the tank since I have heard zebra snails have an affinity for escaping.

Stock:
1 Cherry shrimp
1 zebra snail

Plants:
Anubias nana
java moss

Equipment:
50w Heater
Sponge filter
Black gravel substrate

Let me know what you think. I am open to advice.

 

[crazyforcordoras]

Why dont ya get a betta?

 

[Blitz]

Good Question, CC.

You CAN keep plants in with the snails in the 2.5, but I'd say just get the Java moss.

 

[OSU15]

Why dont ya get a betta?

I'm not comfortable putting a betta in that small of a tank. The previous owner of the tank killed two bettas in quick succession, so I feel like it is probably too small for fish.

 

[Blitz]

The snails take up room too, just like a fish, but an invert. PUtting the plant in there is just like putting a fish in there. It takes up room. Maybe you should just get one plant.

 

[OSU15]

In that case I think I may do the betta with the java moss.

 

[Moby-Krib]

So happy to see the small water keeper that knows the limits before he is told his 1000 guppies cant live in 1/2 gallon water.
snails have little bioload and easy to remove pellet like waste. So I normaly count as 1/2.
plants?? unless it displaces a ton of water are boon. great to have.

Yes a stellar 1/2 moon or whatever beta catches your fancy .
maybe add a micro scale dyi sponge filter.
a heater is insurance and many made for small tanks that don't even require setting the temp.

Expect pics. you'll be fine.

 

[OSU15]

I ended up getting a betta and one plant. I established the plant about a week in advance of the fish and dialed in the heater to 78-80 degrees.
The fish looks great but is somewhat lethargic (very lively on the first and second days, so I think its a cycling issue). I'm hoping the tank will cycle quickly and he will pep up a bit. I'm doing water changes daily and added Tetra SafeStart to help speed up the cycle. I hate cycling with fish, and I thought the plant plus Tetra SafeStart would avoid those issues. Any advice, thoughts are always appreciated.
Ps. Pics on the way

 

[OSU15]

 

[Blitz]

Looks great! But don't you think it's easier to have a 2.5 TANK? The 2.5 is only $15. (wait.. are you in the US?) Or a 5 gallon kit for about $30 and then you can the snail and shrimp? I'm just a little iffy on bowls.

Well, anyway, looks great.

 

[Blitz]

Ooops! Double post. xD