General Fish Care Advice :)

[Disconfigured]

Hi all! 
 
I've just about finished cycling my tank for the first time, and although I have some knowledge (albeit minimum) I thought I'd post on here to see what the next best steps to take would be;
 
My tank is 22L. I'd like, at some point, a female or male Siamese fighter fish, but I'm aware it isn't best to put one in straight away. I've been told it's better to start with hardy fish to set the water chemical levels (not sure that's the right wording!). I was hoping to put some guppies in, but I was then told that Guppies and Fighter fish don't always get along due to their tails. So I wonder what fish would be best to begin with; considering it's only a small tank. 
 
I also haven't put any treatment in my tank so far, I was told I wouldn't need to put TapSafe, or the like, in until the fish are in too? 
 
Any other advice for a beginner would be much appreciated,
 
Thanks
 

 

[lizfish]

The tank is fine for 1 betta, but maybe a bit small for more fish. You don't have  the betta yet, right? Some bettas are fine with other fish, while others will try to kill anything that moves. My betta was fine with a minnow, but only for a while. (Witch was fine, the minnow was to test his compatibility with other fish) But my friend had a betta that was fine with anything. If you REALLY want other fish, you really should get a bigger tank, not only would it cramped with other fish, the betta is more likely to be aggressive in a smaller space. A 10-20 gallon (37-75 litter) tank would be better for other fish with a betta. Also, make sure not to get fin-nippers! Fin-nipping is an even more common problem than aggressive bettas, and often ignored, or unnoticed.  On another note, the TapSafe should be put in now, that way the water is already ready. And as for a female betta, you would need a least 7 to be safe, so, especially for a beginner, a male is a better idea. Do you have a heater? If not you need one. And bettas are actually quite hardy, and should be fine, but some tetras could be put in if you want, but, your betta might not be okay with them. Once again I will say, for more than 1 fish, a bigger tank is a good idea.          

 

[bluesword23516]

You can always try a betta with a few shrimp. If you get some plants (live or fake, but live helps give them food) the shrimp can hide. 
 

The tank is fine for 1 betta, but maybe a bit small for more fish. You don't have  the betta yet, right? Some bettas are fine with other fish, while others will try to kill anything that moves. My betta was fine with a minnow, but only for a while. (Witch was fine, the minnow was to test his compatibility with other fish) But my friend had a betta that was fine with anything. If you REALLY want other fish, you really should get a bigger tank, not only would it cramped with other fish, the betta is more likely to be aggressive in a smaller space. A 10-20 gallon (37-75 litter) tank would be better for other fish with a betta. Also, make sure not to get fin-nippers! Fin-nipping is an even more common problem than aggressive bettas, and often ignored, or unnoticed.  On another note, the TapSafe should be put in now, that way the water is already ready. And as for a female betta, you would need a least 7 to be safe, so, especially for a beginner, a male is a better idea. Do you have a heater? If not you need one. And bettas are actually quite hardy, and should be fine, but some tetras could be put in if you want, but, your betta might not be okay with them. Once again I will say, for more than 1 fish, a bigger tank is a good idea.          

What do you mean by at least 7 for a female betta? Like putting them in a sorority? 
You can have a female betta alone, I have a female who has gotten bigger and healthy since I got her (my favorite girl <3).
I wouldn't do a sorority until you have had bettas for a while. You need at least a ten gallon tank and at least 3 female bettas. 

 

[fluttermoth]

How, exactly, are you cycling your tank, OP?

 

[Disconfigured]

I haven't got any fish in it at the moment,if the Bettas will take up the space I'd rather go without and have a variety of other fish. I've just brought this tank, I don't want to have to buy another tank just to keep myself happy by having a Betta.

It's been filtering, pumping and heating for the past week; that's what I thought needed to be done before fish go in; that's what I called cycling. Apologises if I've confused two things.

What fish could safely and happily live in my small tank? Without a Betta.

 

[Ninjouzata]

The only thing that is doing is ensuring your equipment is running properly. You want to cycle the tank before adding any fish by following THIS.
 
You'll want a liquid test kit and some ammonia. It does take time and might seem confusing but people here will be glad to help with any questions you may have and your future fish will be much better off for it!
 
What are the dimensions of the tank and is your water hard or soft?

 

[Disconfigured]

The only thing that is doing is ensuring your equipment is running properly. You want to cycle the tank before adding any fish by following THIS.
 
You'll want a liquid test kit and some ammonia. It does take time and might seem confusing but people here will be glad to help with any questions you may have and your future fish will be much better off for it!
 
What are the dimensions of the tank and is your water hard or soft?

I've not heard of having to do any of that.. my partner has a 120L tank and didn't do any of that, his fish have all been fine. I was told that tetra help to make the water safer for other less hardy fish, which is why most put them in first. With my tank the way it is right now, would fish not be likely to survive?

My tank is 1ftx1ftx1ft, but around 4 inches at the back is where the filter, pump and heater sit. So really the water is only on 1ft x 8inch x 9in. (The 9in is the height from where my water is filled to) - hope that makes sense. The water is hard.

 

[Ninjouzata]

Most LFS and people that listen to them don't know about it, I suppose. They usually get others to do a fish-in cycle which is quite difficult to do correctly unless you have a good understanding of the nitrogen cycle.
Here is some reading on how to do it properly HERE and HERE. If not done properly the fish can be permanently damaged and have a shorter lifespan. It is much easier and safer to do a fish-less cycle.
 
Tetra as in Tetra Safestart? I think that might be one of the bacteria products that some people have had success with but it'd still be better to use it along with the fish-less cycling method.
If you put fish in your tank now the ammonia and nitrite would climb quickly and you would have to perform lots of water changes, possibly daily or maybe even multiple times a day.
 
Since your friend has a tank, if it is fully cycled you could ask him for some media (very small amount, no more than 1/3) out of his filter and put it into yours. This will speed up the cycle a lot.