Restarting My Betta Tank

[LyraGuppi]

 I decided to try and rejuvenate my 5 gallon betta tank. It isn't maintaining its cycle and I would like to do a huge substrate change. The residents so far are Fuego the betta and his three shrimp friends. I'll be using WB`s betta care guide and the cycling guide to help me, but please input if I'm doing something wrong. The journal will officially start when I get my new heater and substrate, so stand by for action.

 

[LyraGuppi]

 I decided to try and rejuvenate my 5 gallon betta tank. It isn't maintaining its cycle and I would like to do a huge substrate change. The residents so far are Fuego the betta and his three shrimp friends. I'll be using WB`s betta care guide and the cycling guide to help me, but please input if I'm doing something wrong. The journal will officially start when I get my new heater and substrate, so stand by for action.

Agggg never mind!!!! I didn't get here in time to edit, so here we go:
 
I going to rejuvenate my betta tank, but not recycle it. I'll just do the substrate change, not cycling it again. Still I need to wait for the heater and substrate, so stand by.

 

[Xzavier247]

Roger that, Standing by. Hurry up and wait.

 

[LyraGuppi]

 
Fancy new play sand!
 

 
Fancy new heater!
 

 
Fancy old driftwood, ready to go!

 

[LyraGuppi]

 
Old Tank, Brightened for max visibility!
I know...super ugly. Algae, bad lighting, Ammonia... >
 
So I didn't manage to get a pic or two while redoing the tank, so here's a walkthrough..
 
I took Fuego and his shrimp friends out, then lowered the water.  I shcooped the gravel out then rinsed the tank with clean water; scrubbing out algae as I went. Whne the tank was clean, I went back to the sand bucket. I started filling in with sand. At about an inch of sand I smooshed the wood into the tank, then added and styled more sand around it. I waited for the dust to settle, arranged plants, then put in the fish and shrimps!
 

 
Here is the halfway completed tank. My Stringy Moss still needs to attach and grow in, and I'll be ordering some anubias later on. But for now, here it is!

 

[LyraGuppi]

I am unhappy with the result and, hopefully by next week, am going to redo it.

 

[LyraGuppi]

Ag! Sadly, Fuego the betta had a run in with dropsy, and since he was such an old fish, I decided to euthanize him.  The tank is now a shrimp only tank, and this journal is CLOSED.