planing a DP tank

[50000_tears]

im planing to get a little dwarf puffer.they intreige me and they seem perfect. i am reading about Cycleing ,and i am curious what is the best 5 gallon tank? ..my plans are to cycle a 5 gallon w/ a bare bottom a small terra cotta pot and some live plants.would this work? im only getting one(i love solitary fish like bettas). this will be a while (5-12 months from now i have to lose bettas to make space on my desk which isnt a happy thought ) .i know to feed blood worms and a snail once a week for their teeth. anything else?

 

[pica_nuttalli]

you'll have a hard time getting live plants to work in a bare bottom tank. DPs also rest on the ground at night, which is one reason sand is the most often recommended substrate.

 

[Erised]

Cycling a bare bottom 5 gallon will be near impossible. Also, doing water changes with a puffer is not your betta water change. You can't just tip 100% of the water out and expect your fish to be fine.

I recommend you get sand on the bottom, then cycle the tank. When doing water changes, take out about 25% twice a week.

You got the feeding right I'm sure you'll know pretty much everything else already as well, seeing as it sounds like you're one of the persons that actually did their research

 

[50000_tears]

what about smooth gravel i havent seen any sand around here. the gravel i use in my betta tanks is nice and smooth. i have had a idea to save up any betta gravel that i have used and get some of the nasty stuff out (pellets) nand put them in a old gold fish bowl i have in the garage and when i fill it il have enough. so could i do gravel ,a terra cotta pot and some cute little live plants. i have seen these cute 5 gallon mini bows and they look good(i have seen lime green hello i love lime green).i understand the not doing 100% water changes ,im going to buy a new turkey baster and a syphon so i can clean the mess they leave easy and i know how to do 20% and above water changes . i think this will work well. i cant wait to get some, its going to be next year prolly (or i could use my grandma's room LOL) i either have to free my desk of bettas this is either find a better place or some die i want to have one betta so i can do some work w/ cycling. i love these little guys they look so cute,i am thinking about naming it Kurt (if its a male(i like nirvana ok!)) or Tarja(if its a female(ok i would name it Amy but i already have named two bettas that o_o) . im typing alot of stuff that i HOPE makes sense

 

[Warr40]

you'll have a hard time getting live plants to work in a bare bottom tank. DPs also rest on the ground at night, which is one reason sand is the most often recommended substrate.

WHAT KIND OF SAND DO YOU USE

 

[pica_nuttalli]

you'll have a hard time getting live plants to work in a bare bottom tank. DPs also rest on the ground at night, which is one reason sand is the most often recommended substrate.

WHAT KIND OF SAND DO YOU USE

i don't. (and please don't use all capital letters; it makes me feel yelled at and sad )

my puffer isn't a dwarf puffer and i use an outdoor pond substrate. there's a great pinned topic on aquarium sand located here.