catfishlover123

Hello everyone!
I convinced my mom suprisingly to buy me a 5 gallon tank (of course, she agreed to do it if I sign this little contract ). Okay, back to the subject of the thread: the questions.
1. How do you use filter media to cycle a tank and what is the time limit for fully cycling your tank with it?
2. Can you give me some stocking suggestions (coldwater fish please)?
3. Should I get live plants or fake?
and 4. Are any goldfish ok in a tank of 5 gallons?

Thank you so much for the answers!

-catfishlover

Shawnie

1. do you have an established tank already? if so, cut off some of the media from the filter, use some of the subtrate and decorations, to have an instant cycle...but the established tank needs to be up and running for a few months to be safe....if you are going to use fresh media to seed in your established tank to move over after, give it at least 2-3 weeks to seed

2. maybe a few minnows

3. either works

4. NO goldfish of any kind will go into a 5 gal

catfishlover123

Yep, I have an established tank running for 7 or 8 months now. The minnow idea sounds great. What minnows would you reccomend? Thanks for answering! How long is an "instant cycle"?

AquaSplash6201

An instant cycle is when you use an object from a mature tank with benficial bacteria on it and place it in a new tank. The bacteria will speed up your cycling. Like Shawnie said Goldfish can't live in a 5 gallon. They get pretty big. I would go with Fat Head Minnows or something.

catfishlover123

How big do fat head minnows get to be?

harpua2002

I'd spend 10 bucks on a small Whisper heater from Walmart. It's the only Whisper product I've really been impressed with. Even though it has a pre-set thermostat, it kept a SW nano that I used to have at a steady 78 degrees. Great product.

I just suggest this as a way to make your 5 gallon suitable for the betta that you seem to want.

Moe Jacob

It is my understanding that they get to be about 2 to 3 inches. Try to give them a little current / bubbles ...

catfishlover123

Okedoke. Thanks for letting me know.

Amanda

My Rosy Reds are 3-4 in each. I really wouldn't put them in a 5 gal. tank as they are VERY active and actually get to be a good size. White Clouds are a better choice.

catfishlover123

Sounds like a great idea but the problem is that none of the nearby LFSs nearby don't sell them. Could you give me another stocking list please?

Butterfly

White cloud mountain minnows are great in an unheated tank (65-75F) they get 1-1.5inches.
Some danios are cool water fish also. do some research and see what you can come up with
Carol

catfishlover123

I have also heard that a type of loach can be cold water. Is this true? If so, can you tell me what species? Thank you so much!

Butterfly

Dojo loaches but they get too big for your tank. they can get up to 8 inches.
Carol

catfishlover123

Are there any plants that rosy reds like? Do they like hiding spots?