Betta Plan

[Nik00117]

I intend on purchasing a 5 gallon tank, some dirt/sand and plants, a small fitler and already have a small 5Watt heater.

I will then do a fish less cycle, with a couple of easy to care for plants.

I then want to add one Betta and a few Cherry Shrimp.

My questions are

1. A 5 gallon can handle a few cherry shrimp and a betta right? I don't think Cherry Shrimp create much waste
2. How much ammonia should I use to do the fishless cycle.
3. What are some good easy to grow plants for a 5 gallon?

I'm doing most as an experiment and teach myself how to do the cycle/get back into the hobby before I setup my larger tank next year. Plus Bettas are awesome

 

[snazy]

If you are going to house a betta and some shrimp only, then you don't need to cycle with that much ammonia 1-2ppm max per dose should be enough.
The cherry shrimp could be eaten by the betta.
Also a 5W heater maybe a bit too small, but see if it keeps the temperature during cycling first.

 

[Nik00117]

Ah I thought it was 1 watt per gallon I see I should have a 25 watt heater though. No problem!

 

[snazy]

Ah I thought it was 1 watt per gallon I see I should have a 25 watt heater though. No problem!

It is 1W per gallon indeed but I would still test it first if it holds the temperature.

 

[Nik00117]

Ah ok, and your advise would be to leave the Betta alone? This would be a "desk top" aquarium I don't want get much bigger then 5 gallon nor do I want to overstock.

What about a few snails? I can't imagine a Betta eating snails.

 

[Essjay]

Ah I thought it was 1 watt per gallon I see I should have a 25 watt heater though. No problem!

It is 1W per gallon indeed but I would still test it first if it holds the temperature.

I always understood it was 1W per litre not per gallon?

 

[snazy]

Ah I thought it was 1 watt per gallon I see I should have a 25 watt heater though. No problem!

It is 1W per gallon indeed but I would still test it first if it holds the temperature.

I always understood it was 1W per litre not per gallon?

Yeah, I completely got confused, 1W per litre

 

[Henz]

most fish will eat anything that fits their mouth... So unless your snails are big enough, the betta might just leave them be.

and larger tanks are easier to maintain than small once.

 

[Meggie :)]

Sounds good! (but to be honest, I never fish less cycle a betta only tank )

Like mentioned, watch the betra with the shrimp....there are those rare bettas that won't eat them (the very very clm ones) but most will. A snail or a few should be find, though