2.5 Gallon College Bowl

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.

Why dont ya get a betta?

Good Question, CC.

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

crazyforcordoras said:

Why dont ya get a betta?

Click to expand...

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Ooops! Double post. xD