Finally Ordered My New Fluval Chi! With Pics!

[Man of fish]

I just ordered a brand new fluval chi on amazon.com for about $50. I like how it has the waterfall on it. I ordered these to go with it:
Fluval Chi 5 gallon aquarium kit- $48.49.
Tetra HT 10 50 watt heater- $10.69 (I thought about buying the fluval compact heater but figured I'd try this)
Thermometer-$1.69

I'll need some other things but what else will I need.

Here's what else I want:
Sand or gravel- not sure which I should go for.
Whatever else you all suggest.

Plants:
Argentine swords

Fish:
Betta
Either 5 galaxy rasbora or other suggestions.
Ghost shrimp if Mr. Betta likes them.

Suggestions welcome

 

[Cazgar]

For that price you could've probably got something bigger on eBay.
You'll be limited as to what fish you can keep as it's tall rather than long, & hard to keep clean.
What are you planning to stock it with?

*edit* just seen your stocking, hope you're getting a lid as I believe Bettas are jumpers

 

[Fishy friend2]

Good to know that you finally got it. And everything sounds good, and I would reccomed that you have sand, IMO it looks a lot better than gravel, and is generally cheaper too

 

[Man of fish]

Yeah. I'm getting a lid.

I'm not sure what kind of sand to go with. Maybe some caribsea. I like it's look. And I want whiter sand to compliment the colors of a betta.

And I don't really love eBay and wanted something different.

 

[Fishy friend2]

IMO quick-Crete playsand compliments the color of darker colored bettas

 

[Cazgar]

Post a pic when you have it set up

 

[Fishy friend2]

Post a pic when you have it set up

+1

 

[Man of fish]

K I may do a log. Might not have enough time though its supposed to come between next Thursday and the Monday after that. (January 5- 9th)
I'll definitely do pics though.
Also bought a year supply of brine shrimp eggs so all 3 of my tanks can feast on Monday nights

 

[Fishy friend2]

Wow, a years supply? that's a lot and I mean alot

 

[Man of fish]

Well in my eyes it's a years supply. Since I'm only hatching once a week and it's 4 oz. I got z great deal on amazon. But darn that shipping! Still a good deal. It's 90% hatch (supposedly) 4 oz. $15.99 plus $8.99 shipping it said original price was $40+$8.99 shipping. For some reason amazon doesn't charge tax either

 

[Man of fish]

Well the chi just shipped and I like amazon. I used free super saver shipping on my order and it said 5-10 business days and my estimate was January 5th-10th and it shipped today and it's supposed to get here tomorrow!!! I can get everything situated before the heater comes, and the rest of the order should be here next Monday and the shrimp eggs on Friday. I can't wait until it gets here!!!

 

[Man of fish]

Well it came today along with the heater and other items. But I forgot to take pics of the process
It's up now. Cycled with mature media from my other 2 filters.

 

[Fishy friend2]

Okay, good. Do you have the fish yet, if not then your bactia will die without any source of ammonia

 

[Man of fish]

How can I create a source of ammonia. I have one cardinal tetra I was gonna euthanize but I'm having second thoughts, so I could put him in there, as I don't want him back in my big tank.

 

[Fishy friend2]

i dont think that that would produce enough ammonia, how bout adding 3 to 5 of them. just until you have the betta and rasboras