My New Betta Tank - Questions?

[everlastingspirit]

Ok, so i have started setting up my new male betta tank (picture to follow later today). I already have a 35L community tank with 2 Honey Gourami, 3 Blue Male Guppies & 1 silvery blue male lyretail guppy.

So far i have:

Aqua One Cube (15L - 25x25x25cm)
Hagen Mini elite filter (up to 20l)
Hagen Mini elite Heater (up to 20/25l)
Fish R Fun stream looking mixed gravel - looks rellay good wait for pics!

Questions are:

1) Should i use water & an ornament from my old tank to kick start cycling in my new tank. (ammonia @ 0ppm)
2) Should i use a piece of filter from my other tank - im nervous this could disrupt my other tank.
3) I would ike to put some cherry shrimp in the tank with the betta. Given the size how many would be a safe & comfortable amount?
4) Are there any other things i can put in there? (i am aware i cant & wont put any other fish due to size)
5) Are there any plants bettas prefer? Should i plant this tank.

Appreciate any help as understand thats quite a few questions. I have learnt alot in the last 3/4 months of fishkeeping but there are always so many questions!

Thanks
Ben

 

[OohFeeshy]

How long has the community tank been set up? You should be OK to take media out, the Mini doesn't have a ton of media and you could always do half new, half old or whatever. Water and ornaments won't really help. Cherry shrimp, not sure. Six? Other tankmates, possibly snails (nerites are usually reccomended, smaller and prettier than apples). Even if not for the betta, plants would be a good idea for the shrimp to hide in. Moss is a good bet, the others depend on the setup (lighting, mainly). If you've got wood or rocks then java fern and anubias are easy to grow and just tie to the decor.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I was told not to mix betta and chery shrimp as the betta would almost certainly eat the shrimp.

 

[Skellie]

I was told not to mix betta and chery shrimp as the betta would almost certainly eat the shrimp.

Was thinking of getting some Cherry Shrimp for my Betta tank, would like to hear other opinions on this. Is it just Cherrys or shrimps in general? Its a shame if its true as thought they would add some nice colour to the bottom of the tank & are fun to watch.

In regards to OP, definitely transfer some media over as will help the cycle along. Ornaments not that great, filter media would be better, but every little helps!

Would recommend plants as they not only make the tank look nicer but your Betta will love them!

 

[OohFeeshy]

Well, partly it seems to be the usual 'depends on the betta'. Adult shrimp should be big enough not to be eaten, and they're pretty good at hiding in plants.

Maybe get the shrimp population established and breeding before adding the betta?

Other shrimp species- depends. Amanos are pretty big but don't breed, most other species are a bit... expensive to risk.

 

[ellena]

Is the 0 ppm reading your old or new tank?

 

[everlastingspirit]

Is the 0 ppm reading your old or new tank?

Hi elena,

This is the readign of my old tank. I havent filled the new one yet - just taking in the advice (and going to find a nice ornament/cave this weekend in lfs.

Thanks for all the replies. keep them coming.

Ben

 

[Honeythorn]

Take media from the old filter and put it in the new one. If you can fill the new one completely with old (unwashed) media, then your filter will be instantly fully cycled and you can add your fish at once.

1-2 watts per gallon is fine for most "low" light plants. Nice easy live ones to try are Cabomba and Elodia. These are cheap and usually sold as stem cuttings which will develop roots over time. They're great space fillers, and 4-5 bunches should really do the job.

Java moss tied to some smooth wood is also a good option. Very hard to kill and needs pretty much no maintenece really. Tie it onto the wood ect ( before adding to the tank ) with fine fishing line and leave it to grow. Easy.

Moss balls are quite possibly THE easiest aquarium plant to own. They are actually a type of algae, but it's is a non invasive form and won't spread to anything. The moss balls simply stay in a ball and sit about on the bottom..that's it. They flaot at first but eventually sink and stay there. You can buy packs of these on ebay pretty cheaply if your LFS doesn't have any.