Hello Newbie :)

[Leanne_Chii]

Hello everyone My name's Leanne. I am new to Betta's. I haven't set up my tank yet so of course have no fish but planning on a betta. It's a 60ltr tank and was just after some advice on stocking and compatibility also a little bit of advice on the plant life too.

Firstly, Cycling.. How long approx would I need to cycle the water? My friend who's an experienced fish keeper says around 2 weeks, he has a larger tank than mine so isn't sure but does this sound right?
Secondly, Plant life. I don't know anything about living plants as I've always had silk/plastic. I don't want to use plastic because I know sometimes they can tear fins on Betta's. Best plants to have and what to do to keep them living well. Do they need trimming like outdoor plants?
Stocking. I know Male Betta's have a bit of a reputation for eating others. My main concern about the compatibilty is what fish with harm him? My other half likes Mollies and I was wondering can I keep them together? I was hoping for some shrimp but not sure what kind. I've heard Ghost shrimp are compatible with them. I don't want any big fish though. Just small ones.
Lastly, how many fish can live harmoniously and healthily in this size tank?

Sorry about the long one! I just want to get completely clued up before starting anything because I don't want casualties or unhappy fish. Thank you to anyone who can help

Leanne

 

[pablothebetta]

Hello everyone My name's Leanne. I am new to Betta's. I haven't set up my tank yet so of course have no fish but planning on a betta. It's a 60ltr tank and was just after some advice on stocking and compatibility also a little bit of advice on the plant life too.

Firstly, Cycling.. How long approx would I need to cycle the water? My friend who's an experienced fish keeper says around 2 weeks, he has a larger tank than mine so isn't sure but does this sound right?

I believe there are some threads on the site in the beginners resource centre about cycling. You will need some form of ammonia to do the cycle and some established filter media will help. It may take anywhere from a few weeks to a month or so to cycle.
Beginners resource centre (cycling info, etc)http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277264-beginners-resource-center/
You could ask to see if anyone is able to send you some filter media in the 'wanted' section, or just ask your LFS for some. There is a thread about donating mature media, seems you can PM the people on the list about it if you want some. http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/150631-list-of-members-willing-to-donate-mature-filter-media-to-newbies/

Secondly, Plant life. I don't know anything about living plants as I've always had silk/plastic. I don't want to use plastic because I know sometimes they can tear fins on Betta's. Best plants to have and what to do to keep them living well. Do they need trimming like outdoor plants?

Silk plants are fine for bettas. If you're new to plants, you'll want some hardy ones. Look into java moss, java fern, anubias, hygrophila polysperma and crypt species. What lighting do you have? Different plant species need different light levels. They will most likely need trimming like outdoor plants.

Stocking. I know Male Betta's have a bit of a reputation for eating others. My main concern about the compatibilty is what fish with harm him? My other half likes Mollies and I was wondering can I keep them together? I was hoping for some shrimp but not sure what kind. I've heard Ghost shrimp are compatible with them. I don't want any big fish though. Just small ones.
Lastly, how many fish can live harmoniously and healthily in this size tank?

Some bettas are more agressive than others. Temperament allowing, I might have a group of pygmy cories for bottom dwellers and then a group of small fish such as tetras or rasboras with a betta in that sized tank. From what I've heard, mollies do better in brackish setups and need larger tanks, though balloon mollies may be more sutied as they are smaller. If I were you, I'd look at different fish species and find some you like, then ask about them on here. It's quite a broad topic

 

[lilfishie]

Welcome Leanne

you have a good friend for saying cycle however it does tank longer than 2 weeks, but as they have a tank already you could shorten this greatly by asking for a piece of there filter sponge in exchange for yours, the filter sponge houses all the good bacteria that remove harmful Ammonia from your tank which poisons the fish

Stocking wise you definitely want to add the betta last, otherwise he won't accept anything else with easy.

Silk plants are perfect, there are some very easy care live plants though should you choose to go down that route

in my opinion most mollies get too large for your tank, Balloon mollies however would work, you'd either need a same sex group or 1 male to 2-3 females.

Shrimp wise its hit and miss, Ghost & Amano/Algae shrimp are usually fine.


with some sponge from your friend you could add a few fish almost straight away as it has an established group of good bacteria

 

[Leanne_Chii]

I went into my LFS. Useless so and so's they told me that I shouldn't mix bettas with anything (they were keeping one in a tank with guppies last time i was there they have since separated them into little tanks now ) So I happened to go into another pet shop that's just opened and as I needed a new part for my fluval filter we got chatting and he happens to keep male Bettas with neon tetras and catfish (the set up we had decided on). Very informative guy too and has given me a direct line to him with his email and phone number if I need advice I am now boycotting Pets@home because their shoddy advice would have put so many people off. I did however almost rescue one of the males. He was so dull coloured and looked so depressed. He came to the glass and give me this desperate "save me" look If only my tank was established!

Anyway, I've used a used filter sponge in my filter and have had it running for nearly 48 hours now. I am off to get a part so hoping to get some live plants tonight from a much more reputable aquatics specialist. How many bunches of plants would I need for a 15gal tank? I've tested the PH levels this morning and they were around nutral (slightly acidic but not quite ph6.5)

I've been using the ##150### website to decide on what I would like in my tank and the amounts. 1 Male Betta, 3 Ottos and a shoal of around 5-7 Neons. This sound ok?

Sorry another essay but I wanna get this right first time.

Thanks.

 

[pablothebetta]

I went into my LFS. Useless so and so's they told me that I shouldn't mix bettas with anything (they were keeping one in a tank with guppies last time i was there they have since separated them into little tanks now ) So I happened to go into another pet shop that's just opened and as I needed a new part for my fluval filter we got chatting and he happens to keep male Bettas with neon tetras and catfish (the set up we had decided on). Very informative guy too and has given me a direct line to him with his email and phone number if I need advice I am now boycotting Pets@home because their shoddy advice would have put so many people off. I did however almost rescue one of the males. He was so dull coloured and looked so depressed. He came to the glass and give me this desperate "save me" look If only my tank was established!

Anyway, I've used a used filter sponge in my filter and have had it running for nearly 48 hours now. I am off to get a part so hoping to get some live plants tonight from a much more reputable aquatics specialist. How many bunches of plants would I need for a 15gal tank? I've tested the PH levels this morning and they were around nutral (slightly acidic but not quite ph6.5)

I've been using the ##150### website to decide on what I would like in my tank and the amounts. 1 Male Betta, 3 Ottos and a shoal of around 5-7 Neons. This sound ok?

Sorry another essay but I wanna get this right first time.

Thanks.

That sounds fine, though otos should really only be added into well established tanks - they are big algae eaters too, so if I were you, I'd allow the tank to establish for a few months and grow some algae before adding them. I'd go with 8 neons as it is sometimes said that larger numbers helps them to be less nippy, though I don't know how much truth there is in it. As for plants, that depends on what look you want. I'm thinking that seen as though you posted 4 days ago you might have them now - if so, how are they doing?

 

[LilyRose Tank]

Hi Leanne. Having a used filter in your tank with no ammonia source really is useless. If there are any bacteria on the sponge, without a food source they will loose 50% every 24 hours. So you may have already lost all the bacteria that was on it. If you have Ben adding ammonia it will be fine. As someone else said read the cycling advise in the beginners forum, the info is invaluable. Ammonia can be bought in Homebase in bottles with a 9% ammonia content which is ideal for cycling. I used to have a 64L tank and it took 6-7 weeks to cycle it. Where your fishtail mates are concerned, try not to get anything with flown, bright colours...I usually find plates, mollies are too busy and will stress out a Betta. I kept Pygmy Corey's and Norman lamp eyes with mine and he eat them one by one. An apple snail, a BN plec, and otos are what I keep with mine to keep the algae levels acceptable. ....otos are fab for this, nice clear tanks. I hear shrimp work well but can become expensive Betta food! Good luck