60 Litre Tank Help

[Fizzy77]

Hi
 
So I was going to sell my little 60 litre tank but I have pretty much decided to set it up again as a Betta tank + a few community fish, this will be in the near future just have to persuade the other half and get my test kit sorted out properly and get paid
 
I have been told it is more than enough space for a Betta plus some other community fish, has anyone got any suggestions as to what fish and how many? I would love Pygmy corys but I don't think anywhere local to me sells them

 
I am also thinking about going sand as a substrate and having a planted aquascape, I have read that play sand is good to use if thouroughly washed, I guess this is kinda thing is what I want~
 
http/www.argos.co.uk/static/Browse/ID72/33023421/c_1/1|category_root|Toys|33006252/c_2/2|33006252|Outdoor+toys|33006673/c_3/3|33006673|Sandpits,+sand+and+play+tables|33011707/c_4/4|cat_33011707|Sand|33023421.htm
 
or
 
http/www.amazon.co.uk/ProRep-Desert-Sand-5-Kg/dp/B009NCPMWC/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1369231262&sr=8-7&keywords=play+sand+kg
 
(no where in my town sells it as far as I know so have to order online

)
 
 
The tank has a hood and light but it will be under a window is that a good or bad thing for the plants? ANy plants I should/shouldnt use and anything special Betta's need? I also need a new filter (relatively cheap !) I have a heater, was thinking about a sponge filter that attaches to an air pump?
 
Any help would be great ?

 

[Mamashack]

Most bettas seem to prefer  calm water so you'd need to baffle the flow from your filter somehow. They also like Indian Almond Leaves (available on Ebay) I know nothing about using a sand substrate but I've read on here that cories love snuffling about in a soft substrate. Whether cories are suitable for a 60L tank or living with a betta I'm not sure. It would depend on the temperament of the betta I guess. Some are aggressive and others will tolerate company as long as they aren't aggressive or have flamboyant fins as they seem to see them as rival male bettas so guppies would be a definite no-no.

 

[Lilfishy]

A 70 litre would be fine for a Betta & some smaller cory species such as pandas, the cory would appreciate a sand substrate.
Add the cory first, then the Betta, as for the tank being under a window you may get an algae problem, but as long as it's not direct sunlight you should be ok

 

[Fizzy77]

Thanks for the replies I found the leaves on eBay (expecting them to cost a bomb,but they were quite cheap!) will definetly be ordering those.
 
I also found through reccomendation an Aquatics store that trades through eBay that sells invertebrates AND pygmy cories with very reasonable courier delivery prices and they are somewhat local to me (about 50 miles away) which makes me feel better about ordering online.
 
They also stock teeny tiny crabs ( http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270974484159?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649)
My partner loves crabs (we had mini red crabs in our old 6ft tank and they were so funny) so may even be getting a nano tank for them aswell in the future.
 
Ordered a new filter from AllPondSolutions with a spray bar and will be ordering a Master Kit on Monday,Just need to order some sand and plants. Once I get the new filter I am going to pop it into our 4ft tank for a week to get it going then when I do a water change I'll partially fill the 60 litre with the water and top up with treated tap water.

 

[Mamashack]

Just be aware that there will be very few free floating bacteria in the water you transfer and you'll need to be certain that there are no diseases in the established tank that you might be transferring. Having said that - it's exactly what I did when getting my 2nd tank going.
Are you doing fishless cycling? It is strongly recommended that you do as this is the least harmful way to prepare the tank for your fish. Whatever you do don't let a LFS talk you into purchasing something that you "can add to the tank, run for a few days then add fish as this is a load of bunkum!
What type of betta do you fancy getting?