Hi all! I'm a newbie, pretty much. Just some small tank betta experience. And failed past attempts at ADF and snails. And lots of research online...but sometimes too late
Here is my disclaimer, I HATE the small little containers people try to pawn off as suitable for a betta, or the stupid 1.75 gallon I currently own being marketed for glofish (!?!?). That said, please don't give me a lecture about no tank less than a 10 gallon should exist. I know a lot of you fall into that camp. I know it's more difficult to keep the water stable, etc. I would LOVE to have the space for a big tank, I just don't. my house is 700 sq ft... We will be moving in a year or so. So please spare my conscious!
Sorry, I just wanted to get that out of the way because all threads eventually go in that direction... Anyways, for my daughter's 9th bday, I bought what is supposed to be a 5 gallon, and I am starting a fishless cycle with a dead frozen shrimp and some good bacteria laden media from my fishstore guy. This will be the upgraded home for "Shiny" our betta girl who is in a 1.75 heated tank at the moment.
Here are my questions:
1) WHY did it take 4 gallons of water to fill (within an inch or 2) the 5 gallon I bought? Is this like an industry standard where everyone knows a 5 gallon is really 4, or did I get ripped off? And when we discuss stocking options for a 5 gallon, is that going to be accurate? this is the tank, yes it has in integrated filter, but I still assumed I could pour 5 gallons of water in there... ???Top Fin® 5 Gallon Glass Aquarium | Aquariums | PetSmart
2) fishless cycling: IS there a correlation to how much ammonia buildup happens now to how well the tank will keep up with the bioload down the road? How many big frozen shrimp should I have in there? Do I keep adding shrimp, or just let the first ones rot? (I put them in a stocking so the it will stay "contained".)
3) What CAN I do with my "5" gallon?? I know any of the schooling fish are a no-go. I know shrimp are a good bet. Can I do 2 ADF, the betta and shrimp? OR can I do a couple ottos, shrimp and betta? I love that the ottos will clean algea, but the corys are super cute. Will the ottos and corys school together? Any other brilliant ideas? Thanks! One day I aspire to have an AMAZING fishtank, or two. But for now, I just want to make do with what I have!
I appreciate you support and ideas! Thanks!!!
Here is my disclaimer, I HATE the small little containers people try to pawn off as suitable for a betta, or the stupid 1.75 gallon I currently own being marketed for glofish (!?!?). That said, please don't give me a lecture about no tank less than a 10 gallon should exist. I know a lot of you fall into that camp. I know it's more difficult to keep the water stable, etc. I would LOVE to have the space for a big tank, I just don't. my house is 700 sq ft... We will be moving in a year or so. So please spare my conscious!
Sorry, I just wanted to get that out of the way because all threads eventually go in that direction... Anyways, for my daughter's 9th bday, I bought what is supposed to be a 5 gallon, and I am starting a fishless cycle with a dead frozen shrimp and some good bacteria laden media from my fishstore guy. This will be the upgraded home for "Shiny" our betta girl who is in a 1.75 heated tank at the moment.
Here are my questions:
1) WHY did it take 4 gallons of water to fill (within an inch or 2) the 5 gallon I bought? Is this like an industry standard where everyone knows a 5 gallon is really 4, or did I get ripped off? And when we discuss stocking options for a 5 gallon, is that going to be accurate? this is the tank, yes it has in integrated filter, but I still assumed I could pour 5 gallons of water in there... ???Top Fin® 5 Gallon Glass Aquarium | Aquariums | PetSmart
2) fishless cycling: IS there a correlation to how much ammonia buildup happens now to how well the tank will keep up with the bioload down the road? How many big frozen shrimp should I have in there? Do I keep adding shrimp, or just let the first ones rot? (I put them in a stocking so the it will stay "contained".)
3) What CAN I do with my "5" gallon?? I know any of the schooling fish are a no-go. I know shrimp are a good bet. Can I do 2 ADF, the betta and shrimp? OR can I do a couple ottos, shrimp and betta? I love that the ottos will clean algea, but the corys are super cute. Will the ottos and corys school together? Any other brilliant ideas? Thanks! One day I aspire to have an AMAZING fishtank, or two. But for now, I just want to make do with what I have!
I appreciate you support and ideas! Thanks!!!