10g Betta Setup?

[InaneCathode]

I know what you're thinking "oh god another setup post" but i promise this one is short, and reletively simple. I want to be a weirdo, and put a betta in my reletively enourmous 10 gal tank (currently cycling, but almost done).
I'd, at the same time, also like to possibly have a small shoal of cories (little whiskered noses are cute) and maybe something else. I'm thinking a shrimp of some sort as i've heard they add almost no bioload. Listed:
1 Male betta (not sure what type, still researching)
6 Cories (of some type, assuming the smallest/mellowest)
X Number of shrimps (almost no bioload, and they're weird, like me!)

Tank:
10G HOB filter
Well aerated
More than adequate heater
1 plant
Epoxy gravel substrate

I've also an idea that cories would best like a sand substrate. To save myself the pain in the ass of draining my tank and replacing the gravel with sand, would it be acceptable to cover the gravel with sand, or would this create anaerobic pockets?

 

[KimA]

Hi,

10gal would be lovely for a betta, and the cories will love it too (know nothing about shrimp, but think they're okay - might be best to ask in the betta section of the forum).

Cories do like sand, and you'd be better completely changing over to it as they love to dig down in it - think if you have around 1-2cm depth of sand anaerobic pockets shouldn't be a problem, I just used to ruffle the sand up a bit with my cleaning pad stick when I did a water change every week with no problems.

 

[InaneCathode]

Thanks kim

Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[faithless1294]

Sounds good bettas corries and shrimps sound really good i would say the 1-2 cm of sand sounds best 4cm max of sand and get a peaceful betta so hes not always flaring up all the time. How long have you been cycling the tank? has it been a fishless cycle? was the filter media already used or was it new?
Good Luck

 

[karuna]

I don't think you would have a problem with the Betta eating or mauling the shrimp, although I couldn't say absolutely, but what I would say is that you might find the shrimp will hide from it anyway.

I have four Amano Shrimp in with a four inch Krib and all four tend to chill out together behind the internal filter and occasionally venture out into the tank for a feast. The first day they were introduced they were all over the tank and would hang out wherever they saw fit, however, by the next morning, which I'm assuming is when they had realised that there was a much larger fish around them all the time, they had decided that the tiny gap between the filter and back pane of glass was the most adequate home to make. The only aggression I have observed the Krib displaying to the shrimp was when on the first day they tried to enter 'his' cave and he responded with a few half-hearted lunges, yet the shrimp still avoid him to the best of their abilities even though on occasion he will swim right past one when it is out in the open and does not even stop to investigate it.

So as long as you don't mind seeing them or seeing them very often/on demand then they would make a good addition to remove algae from the plants and consume/help to break down the detritus on the substrate. Although if you're adding them with the intention of observing their behaviour then I would take the advice that I was given which is to only house them with medium to top dwelling fish that are not significantly larger than them.

Oh and the most important thing: if you do decide to buy some shrimp make sure that they are Amano or something similar and be very careful to avoid the ev0l variety. Check out the 'I have evil shrimp' thread(s) in the appropriate forum section for more information.

But a betta in a 10 gallon tank equals kudos from me. Always best to make small tanks as big as possible in my opinion.

Good luck with the new tank.

EDIT: I was also told that the shrimp like to be kept in groups. My experience seems to confirm this advice too as the four I bought very rarely leave each others' company and when I bought them from the lfs nearly every shrimp in that tank had positioned itself in a group on or around the centre peice of bogwood.

 

[InaneCathode]

Sounds good bettas corries and shrimps sound really good i would say the 1-2 cm of sand sounds best 4cm max of sand and get a peaceful betta so hes not always flaring up all the time. How long have you been cycling the tank? has it been a fishless cycle? was the filter media already used or was it new?
Good Luck

I can definitely say i'm not looking forward to changing out my substrate, but i like projects, and the gravel wasnt expensive...
Ive been cycling the tank for a good month and a half now, i can see the huge nitrite spike, the ammonia lowering quickly, and ALOT of nitrate in there now. Yes, it was a fishless cycle, and everything was brand new with the tank.

Can anyone give me a definite yes/no on covering my gravel with sand?

 

[dogfood]

I think if you're not planning on getting more plants, sand by itself will be fine. I would keep the layer thin though 1cm max.

 

[InaneCathode]

i do plan on converting slowly to a heavy planted tank over time

 

[dogfood]

Then you will need to change the substrate when you do because plants and sand don't really mix too well. I guess you could get away with a 60/40 mix of gravel/sand. That would keep your plants and cories content.

 

[jkrekord]

that would be fine. or what you could try is instead of a male why not get 6 females