Starting up a Small Tank

[Godspeed]

I'll be moving into college soon and I am allowed a ten gallon tank or smaller. I was wanting some information on starting a small tank.

Preferably, I would like a five gallon tank as I will soon be living in a small box. However, I am open to a ten gallon tank if needed because I know the fish is also living in a small box.

If I cycle a five gallon tank for a betta and snail, would they be happy? Should I leave out the snail?

Alternately (I believe the answer is no) could I keep danios in a five gallon tank or should I burn that idea alive?

Thank you!

 

[Godspeed]

And the first thing I do is post this on the wrong forum. I'm very sorry.

 

[Cavan02]

its fine, but a ten would be best, the bigger, the better for the fish generaly. if i were you i'd get 3 ghost shrimp, a clown pleco, or algy eater, your betta, and 4 "glow fish" they are tetras if you didnt know. and sure put your snail in there, but one thing. Add other fish and let them get situated while your betta is in something els, like a jar where the betta cant see whats going on. this is so it dosent kill the other fish in its "territory" after the fish shrimp and snails are in there, about 30 min after its set up, then add the betta. this combination gives you plenty of fish, a small tank, and you get to keep your betta.
Before add ing tank cleaners (snails, shrimp, algy eaters) let the fish live there without a tank cleaner for a month sor the food they eat will build up and they do not starve to death.

i hope this has helped you in some way, good luck.

 

[Godspeed]

Would it be okay if I just kept a single betta in a fish tank? Or does stocking it give it a better environment?

As in, one betta fish in a five gallon fish tank and then the only other living things being plants?

 

[Tifftastic]

Would it be okay if I just kept a single betta in a fish tank? Or does stocking it give it a better environment?

As in, one betta fish in a five gallon fish tank and then the only other living things being plants?

I would not go with the previous suggestion:

i'd get 3 ghost shrimp, a clown pleco, or algy eater, your betta, and 4 "glow fish" they are tetras if you didnt know

That many fish would be WAY over stocked for a 10 gallon. The GloTetras get up to 3 inches each and are not suited to a 10 gallon, or as a tank mate for bettas. The GloFish (zebra danios) are much too active for a 10 gallon tank and are too nippy to keep with the slower moving bettas. This also answers your question to keeping danios in a five gallon.

A five gallon tank is perfect for a betta and a snail, or even a betta and few cherry shrimp (RCS) if you like. However, with the cherry shrimp the betta will eat small ones, which keeps your population in check (they breed like rabbits), but you may not find that to your liking.

Alternatively, a five gallon is appropriate for a couple of male endlers and some RCS. If you find you want more than one fish.

 

[Godspeed]

I've heard that even if I get one snail, I'll probably end up with many. Is this true?

 

[tanker]

I've heard that even if I get one snail, I'll probably end up with many. Is this true?

That would depend on which snail. A Nerites would not breed in your tank. Buy one and you will only have one.

 

[Kannan Fodder]

Nerites can lay eggs in freshwater, but they require brackish to hatch. I had a nerite with a betta, and it did lay eggs, but I never ever found more nerites. Also, a single betta alone (or with snails) is fine for a 5 gallon tank. Bettas do not need tankmates, and some actually won't tolerate tankmates of any kind.

 

[myswtsins]

A betta and a snail in a 5g is a great choice! Some bettas will tolerate shrimp as well, some won't. Always add other creatures to the tank before the betta, this lessens the "Get out of MY home" behavior a bit.

A 10g tank opens up more options of course but I understand why you'd want to keep it small. But just to point out something...you will be very busy at college and a 10g tank with the same stocking as your 5g will handle any possible missed maintenance much better. Not saying getting a bigger tank allows you to sack on maintenance! But it gives you a bit of a buffer for any mishaps. A few more inches of space for twice the water!