Plants while cycling?

[Toki]

I'm planning to get a 20 gallon tank specifically for a betta, some neons and maybe a small gourami. You think that would work?


Also, do I need to cycle the tank before putting in live plants? I figured the plants HELPED with the cycling but my husband said they would probably die if I just put them in straight away.

 

[spanair]

You can cycle the tank fine with plants in it. Infact if you have another tank with plants you could transfer them to the new aquarium to help spread the bacteria quicker. but make sure the plants have food and light and they should do okay. I cycled my tank with plants fine.

I also have 10 neons with a betta and they dont bother with each other, I cant say about the gourami as I dont have any

 

[shrks1fan]

Yep, putting plants in right away is fine, they don't seem to be bothered by the cycling process and better yet, helps it.

Linda

 

[Toki]

I went to the store today and we've decided on a 28 gallon bow front tank. I noticed some more fish I was thinking might do ok with a betta, but now I'm thinking twice about it. What do you think about fancy guppies with a betta?

 

[White Whale]

I went to the store today and we've decided on a 28 gallon bow front tank. I noticed some more fish I was thinking might do ok with a betta, but now I'm thinking twice about it. What do you think about fancy guppies with a betta?

The betta will kill them.

 

[fish_r_great]

make sure its not a paradise gourami as both might attack because of the territorial nature of both and that they kinda look alike

 

[LiquidLife]

Plants are fine to have in there during cycling--as already stated, they'll help establish the tank faster since they'll do the nitrogen-oxygen exchange thing and give the "good" bacteria places to grow.

Gouramis are not good to keep with bettas (I think I once read that dwarf gouramis might be kept with bettas but you have ot keep an eye on both)--both are territorial and aggressive enough to try to kill each other. Tetras should be kept in gangs (what is it? half a dozen at least to make them feel happy?) so take that into consideration. Female guppies should be okay but no male guppies at all with those long rippling tails. Don't overstock your tank so keep that in mind for any schooling fish you want to include.