Introduction

[CapnSmee]

I am new to the fish world. I owned one female betta over a decade ago. Had zero experience then and not much more now, but I'm working on it. For a midlife crisis birthday gift to myself I bought a 29 gallon tank, 4 female bettas, 2 corydora catfish, 2 Java ferns, and a handful of decorations.
I was mistaken on how much more I could learn and am trying to catch up. I may add some cherry shrimp one day or maybe 2 more corydoras. But I'm also satisfied with the fish I have. I hope to have all live plants eventually, but only if I can learn how to keep them alive.

 

[ClownLurch]

Hi and welcome.
Once your tank is stabilised and cycled and your waters ok I’d add corydoras if they suit your water. They’re sociable fish and should be kept in groups of more that six at the very least. Which breed of corydora do you have?

What is your waters PH and hardness? Thats the best indicator as to what fish will thrive in your water instead of merely surviving.

 

[The603]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[emeraldking]

Welcome to the forum...

 

[CapnSmee]

Welcome to the forum...

Thank you

 

[CapnSmee]

Welcome to the forum.

Thank you

 

[CapnSmee]

Hi and welcome.
Once your tank is stabilised and cycled and your waters ok I’d add corydoras if they suit your water. They’re sociable fish and should be kept in groups of more that six at the very least. Which breed of corydora do you have?

What is your waters PH and hardness? Thats the best indicator as to what fish will thrive in your water instead of merely surviving.

Thank you. I have 2 green corydora. As of this morning the PH is 8, KH is 180, and GH is 60

 

[CapnSmee]

Thank you. I have 2 green corydora. As of this morning the PH is 8, KH is 180, and GH is 60

Correction GH is 0

 

[outofwater]

Welcome, tank looks great, and all live plants will be even better for all involved. You will hear or read this sooner or later, might as well now: corydoras will do better with sand, because they like to dig around. Your substrate seems round enough that it won't hurt them, but you'll notice a big difference in their behavior if you change it for sand. I was taught that here early on and I'm glad I made the change. You have plenty of "space" for more fish, as far as the shrimp, read on the betta section and some betta expert hopefully will chime in, there are some shrimp types that your bettas might find appetizing . Good luck on the journey, welcome!

 

[CapnSmee]

Thank you. I will look into sand. When I was shopping I picked up the last 30 lbs of substrate on the shelf. Maybe they'll have new stocks on my next visit.

Welcome, tank looks great, and all live plants will be even better for all involved. You will hear or read this sooner or later, might as well now: corydoras will do better with sand, because they like to dig around. Your substrate seems round enough that it won't hurt them, but you'll notice a big difference in their behavior if you change it for sand. I was taught that here early on and I'm glad I made the change. You have plenty of "space" for more fish, as far as the shrimp, read on the betta section and some betta expert hopefully will chime in, there are some shrimp types that your bettas might find appetizing . Good luck on the journey, welcom

 

[betta4ever!]

Welcome to TFF! IMO, your tanks set up is a bit risky. Female bettas, if they don't have enought plants and cover (around 75% planted is good), might fight and kill each other. Live plants would really help, and you could also put catapa leaves and wood!! It's really easy to keep live plants alive. Seriously, some plants are really really easy. You just plant them in any substrate, no fertilizers no anything. Some of them are egeria densa( this plant could be also left floating!!), anubias, valisnerias, cryptocorines, hornwort, java moss, hygrophila, rotala, etc etc. Also, in a tank that big, you could get 4 more females, or some bottom fish!!! 2 more cories, 2 more bettas and some shrimp are good!! You can have some fun on aquadvisor...https://aqadvisor.com/ Hope I could help!

​

 

[outofwater]

Thank you. I will look into sand. When I was shopping I picked up the last 30 lbs of substrate on the shelf. Maybe they'll have new stocks on my next visit.

You're welcome. Fwiw, you can use quikrete play sand at home depot or lowes, and that works just fine. Unless you're looking for colored sand or some other type that you'll only find at pet stores (and cost a lot more), this is a cheap and fish safe substrate. Just rinse it before use (scoop few portions at a time, swirl them in a water bucket and give it a couple good rinses). You'll still have some murky water for an hour or two, but if you don't rinse it it will be way more messy.

Just have at least two big buckets ready, one to keep your fish in with the heater if needed, and one to rinse the sand and then pour it in your tank.

I bought one 50lb bag, it was more than enough for a nice 2-3 inch layer across the bottom of my 29g. It was like 6 bucks or something.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Welcome to TFF

 

[connorlindeman]

welcome!

 

[CapnSmee]

Welcome to TFF! IMO, your tanks set up is a bit risky. Female bettas, if they don't have enought plants and cover (around 75% planted is good), might fight and kill each other. Live plants would really help, and you could also put catapa leaves and wood!! It's really easy to keep live plants alive. Seriously, some plants are really really easy. You just plant them in any substrate, no fertilizers no anything. Some of them are egeria densa( this plant could be also left floating!!), anubias, valisnerias, cryptocorines, hornwort, java moss, hygrophila, rotala, etc etc. Also, in a tank that big, you could get 4 more females, or some bottom fish!!! 2 more cories, 2 more bettas and some shrimp are good!! You can have some fun on aquadvisor...https://aqadvisor.com/ Hope I could help!

​

Thank you for your input. I was unaware of the 75% coverage, but I will add more. I do have reservations about adding more bettas. I bought these 4 the same day and they are getting along. Id hate to disrupt the pecking order. Someone else recommended more corydoras. If there's room I'd like to add more of them.