The new guy

[Balavalidus]

Hello,

I'm new at this. I'm trying my best to memorize the names of plants, substrate, rocks, treatments, etc.

I've read a lot, spoken to a bunch of "experts", but I honestly believe that the internet community would have more to offer. That's why I signed up here.

I have a 10 gallon aquarium, heater and filter. This is your standard beginners bundle. I have the option of using regular lights or halogen lights.

I have black lava rocks at the bottom, a variety of rocks, and I just purchased driftwood and attached plants (one is called crypt parva but I forget the name of the other) to it with fish wire. I've added the recommended amount of plant fertilizer and I plan on leaving the tank for a week before adding any more plants or fish.

I have a general idea of what I would like to accomplish in this tank, but I want to know what you have to say, be it advice, warnings or "please stop before you murder the fish".

I like the idea of color and variety in the tank. For that reason, I would like to see if I could do the following organisms in this tank:

- Snails of some sort.
- red cherry shrimp
- Neon tetras
- Ottos
- My docile beta (it has a 1.5 gallon and seems happy, so I'm ok if this just wouldn't work)

How many of each could I do? One pro I spoke to told me I could do 3-5 rcs, 5 neon tetras, 2 ottos and 2 snails.

My other question is the order in which I should introduce the fish to their new habitat.

Are there any that I can use to cycle the tank and still survive?

I appreciate any advice you can give me.

[Trillianne]

The top two stickies on cycling in the cycling forum here: http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...play.php?f=111 are going to be very useful to you in setting up your 10.

[Balavalidus]

Please note that I have a picture of my aquarium as my profile picture for viewing if that helps.

[mizzoutank]

Welcome! and good for you to do research prior to purchasing the fish.
You've saved yourself some headache there.

10gal tanks are rough to stock due to their size.

but question:
with your beta tank right now. does it have a heater/filter?

If not-then lets use the 10gallon for the beta and stock around that fella.
Because the beta is a tropical fish and needs that. (and pending what others say, I personally think they need way way more than 1.5gallons)-like 10gallons at the minimum.

2nd: read up on cycling your 10gal-doing the fishLESS cycle-it'll go quicker and won't stress out your fish.

[Azurescriber]

Personally, I think you are getting ahead of yourself species-wise.

Ideally, a betta and:

At least 6 neons and shrimp OR
At least 6 neons and snails

Unless it is one snail that won't breed, then maybe neons and shrimp and a snail

Both shrimp and (most)snails will multiply.

I don't recommend ottos...they need a lot of fresh algae and can be tough for a beginner.

If your betta doesn't have a heater, get him one asap. :)

[ameliaaahx]

I agree with Mizzou, I think bettas should have at least 5g.

Ideally, a betta and:

At least 6 neons and shrimp OR
At least 6 neons and snails

This is a good suggestion, although you have to be very careful when keeping bettas with other fish -- and not just because of the betta's temperament. I had a very docile betta and I tried to house him with neons. My school of neons shredded his tail. Those long, colourful fins are extremely tempting to many fish.

[Balavalidus]

Thank you for your replies!

I like the idea of my betta (he's a tiny lil guy, curious but doesn't seem aggressive), 6 neon tetras and some cherry shrimp. Lots of color and they'd all stand out nicely with the black gravel and lots of green I plan on putting in. I'll make sure there is enough cover in the form of plants for my beta to hide if he's not a fan of the tetras or vice versa.

I only have one more question - with my five plants already in the tank, can I still do a fast cycle with ammonia?