I would put the substrate in the tank, add just enough water to cover the substrate, then plant the plants, except for the mosses. Then fill the tank carefully, using a sheet of Saran wrap or equivalent over the substrate to eliminate the incoming water moving the substrate around. Now, plant the moss - on flat rocks. Turn on the filter and turn on the lights for about 6 -8 hours a day. After 2 weeks or so, add 2-3 of the fish, preferably the tetras. Wait another week and add the rest of the tetras. Wait another week and add the rest of the fish, snails and shrimp. The plants should be growing before you start adding any fish at all, but that should take less than 2 weeks. Those plants will then help absorb the ammonia from the few fish, so they won't be harmed by the ammonia.
Last minute questions and verification
First off I would like to say that this forum and site have been a tremendous help in my research the past few weeks as i started looking into planted tanks so a big thank you t everyone for that:icon_smil
So I am setting up my tank for possibly a betta community or a school of tettras. I am not as picky about the fish or whatever that goes into this tank because my main goal for it was to begin learning how to do a planted tank. Below are all of the thins that I already have and then the stock that I plan to get.
Have:
~10gal tank with a black spray painted background.
~Aquaclear HOB filter.
~driftwood
~Miracle Gro organic choice potting mix to be capped with fine gravel from Petsmart.
~rocks
~ I also have dechlorinator and a topfin Bacteria supplement.
~Hood clamp on light with a 23 watt cfl bulb
Plants I plan on getting:
~java moss
~mini rose moss
~anachris
~Cryptocoryne lutea
Fish:
~1 betta
~ at least 6 tetras
~1 shrimp
~1 snail
Also i have a question about cycling, should i run the water through the filter with all of the substrate in the tank before i had the plants?
So I am setting up my tank for possibly a betta community or a school of tettras. I am not as picky about the fish or whatever that goes into this tank because my main goal for it was to begin learning how to do a planted tank. Below are all of the thins that I already have and then the stock that I plan to get.
Have:
~10gal tank with a black spray painted background.
~Aquaclear HOB filter.
~driftwood
~Miracle Gro organic choice potting mix to be capped with fine gravel from Petsmart.
~rocks
~ I also have dechlorinator and a topfin Bacteria supplement.
~Hood clamp on light with a 23 watt cfl bulb
Plants I plan on getting:
~java moss
~mini rose moss
~anachris
~Cryptocoryne lutea
Fish:
~1 betta
~ at least 6 tetras
~1 shrimp
~1 snail
Also i have a question about cycling, should i run the water through the filter with all of the substrate in the tank before i had the plants?
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
Ok thank you very much
Hi! I am also new to TPT! I have kept fish for 25 years, but new to plants! I have found java moss, hornwart and wisteria to grow very well for me. They are easy to grow and grow fast so I find it rewarding. I also have some java ferns (not sure what type) and amazon swords (I have a 50g community tank).
What kind of tetras were you thinking? I would suggest small neon tetras. You never know with Bettas, I have had some mellow-timid ones and some mean ones that attack everything. Be prepared and have a place to put either the betta or the tetras in case is doesn't work out. Also what kind of snail and shrimp? (could have the same problem here too) Some are larger than others! I really like ghost shrimp- they are cheap and hardy- and very fun to watch!
Good luck! I cant wait to see pictures!
What kind of tetras were you thinking? I would suggest small neon tetras. You never know with Bettas, I have had some mellow-timid ones and some mean ones that attack everything. Be prepared and have a place to put either the betta or the tetras in case is doesn't work out. Also what kind of snail and shrimp? (could have the same problem here too) Some are larger than others! I really like ghost shrimp- they are cheap and hardy- and very fun to watch!
Good luck! I cant wait to see pictures!
What do you use your mosses for? Do you tie them to driftwood or rocks or do they grow on the bottom.
Im not positive yet but yes neon tettras. And i have no clue about snails any suggestions? And yes im getting a ghost shrimp how many tettras can i have without overstocking the tank?
Im not positive yet but yes neon tettras. And i have no clue about snails any suggestions? And yes im getting a ghost shrimp
how many tettras can i have without overstocking the tank?
+1 on the potential betta issues. I've got one that peacefully coexists with furcata rainbows, and I have one that is fierce, even killing snails. He bites my finger if I offer it. Their dispositions definately vary.
I've had a couple community tanks with a single male betta, and never had any issues what so ever, in fact I'd say the bettas living in communities with other fish seem to be happier fish. Also, I've always aquired them when they were juveniles so maybe that's key.
My 10 gallon now has one betta a snail and 15 shrimp and two guppies. I have read and seen that the crowntail betta tend to be the more fussy of all the bettas you can pick from. I keep a crowntail in a five gallon and just last night he tore a golden mystery snail to pieces.
My 10 gallon now has one betta a snail and 15 shrimp and two guppies. I have read and seen that the crowntail betta tend to be the more fussy of all the bettas you can pick from. I keep a crowntail in a five gallon and just last night he tore a golden mystery snail to pieces.
A betta and guppies?? You're braver than meThey swim together. My betta is so much happier since I moved him into the tank with some friends
Are you sure he isn't just happy to be in the self-serve cafeteria?They swim together. My betta is so much happier since I moved him into the tank with some friends
If he hasn't made his choice yet he probably never will, but.........
Ive had good community bettas and some not so good, my current betta was in my community tank about 4 days, it was an established tank and he was the newcomer, however he still bit a chunk out of a female guppy's tail and a huge chunk out of one of my platys, it really depends on the personality some do well with other fish and some dont.
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
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