29 gal finally cycled

So my 29 gallon finally cycled and was showing 15ppm nitrates and 0ppm ammonia and the ammo reading was canary yellow! So I did a quick 50% water change and everyone seemed happy and healthy. After water change levels were 7.4 pH 0 ammo 0 nitrite 5 nitrate. I'm thinking of adding some live plants to the mix any one have suggestions.

Also for my 8 gallon hex tank I would like to keep something in it. I was thinking a Betta but wasn't sure what I should be looking for in a betta. I have a nice heater and did a water change on it today as well. I've been feeding the bb with some pure ammo and they're doing good with taking out 4ppm in a day. So I'm thinking a Betta might do well with maybe some shrimp but a betta on his own until I get paid again and can buy the start of a colony of shrimp.

 

Hey bud, sounds like you're off to one of a start!

I'm guessing you're looking at setting up a "low tech" tank? Meaning no carbon dioxide injection and just "normal" lighting. If so, that kinda limits what sorta plants you can successfully cultivate. There are 3 in particularly that I've had great success with in a low tech tank:
- anubias nana (one of my fav plant)
- Java fern
- Amazon sword

For the first two, they take in nutrients from the water column, so adding the occasional liquid fertilizer is a good idea.

The Amazon sword grows pretty big, and looks dope as a centre piece plant. The only thing is they are nutrient hungry. BUT. I've had great success with using root tabs, and they have thrived well in my low tech tanks. You should however give it a minimum of 10 hours of light a day

For your second one, I'm glad to hear you're just thinking of getting a betta and shrimp. That's a great plan. IMO anything less than a 10 gallon, and a betta is pretty much be only viable optio for a fish.

 

I'm not interested in any nano fish and I think I have my hands full with my current 2 tanks. I'd probably go with Java ferns but I'm not sure how to take care of them. I also work at Walmart and have been keeping a close eye on our bettas. What should I look for in a male Betta?

 

I'm not interested in any nano fish and I think I have my hands full with my current 2 tanks. I'd probably go with Java ferns but I'm not sure how to take care of them. I also work at Walmart and have been keeping a close eye on our bettas. What should I look for in a male Betta?

With Java ferns... Someone else would probably disagree but in my experience you could literally plop it into the tank and position it however you want. (They are usually tied down to a piece of drift wood)

I've had Java fern grow exceedingly well in a tank with no carbon dioxide injection. The only thing I do is to dose the tank with seachem flourish once a week.

For bettas... Given the condition they are always kept in in stores, I would make sure to check that the body doesn't have sores, the gills are not reddish; and the fins do not have signs of fin rot.

Btw, given that you work at Walmart, I would ask around and find out when the shipments of new fish come in. Then pick a fish from a new shipment. I've seen the conditions that Walmart keen their betta and its atrocious. You could always rescue a fish in poor conditions, but chances are certain permanent damage has been done.

 

Here's a good link for betta tail types and color patterns.

 

Thanks kiwi, I'll ask tonight

 

So I got my Betta, he is currently being acclimated. From your link I see that spade tails are hard to find. All the females in my store are spade tails. Should I snap them up? Are they good community fish?

 

Unfortunately I'm no betta guru. You can check some of the stickies under the betta section.

Welcome to the Betta Section!

And Mike should be able to help you more.

 

So I got my Betta, he is currently being acclimated. From your link I see that spade tails are hard to find. All the females in my store are spade tails. Should I snap them up? Are they good community fish?

From what I have heard, female bettas should not be kept together in anything less than a 20 gallon heavily planted. Aquaphobia has a sorority and can likely help out there!

 

I wouldn't buy a bunch of Bettas just because they're rare. I'd have to see them to believe that they're actually spade tails. As for being community fish, Bettas are Bettas, no matter the tail shape! You run the risk of aggression any time you put Bettas together or with other fish. There are ways to reduce the risks but it's always a gamble.

 

They were females and I'm interested in setting up a sorority for them. With a colony of shrimp and maybe a few passive bottom feeders.

 

Yes, and female Bettas are just as capable of ripping apart their tank mates as the males, only slightly less likely to. Conditions have to be right to give them the best chance. They will never be "buddy buddy", they don't school, they pretty much tolerate the other females and that's all. I have had no trouble with my ~10 females in a 20 gallon long but I do see aggressive displays. These confrontations seldom end in any sort of violence because there is room to get away. If neither party backs down or appears to be standing ground because of space limitations then an attack will follow.

 

I'll keep it in mind

 

They were females and I'm interested in setting up a sorority for them. With a colony of shrimp and maybe a few passive bottom feeders.

You'd want a 20 gallon long minimum and at least 6 females for a sorority. Some have had luck with it, some have not. Make sure you have a backup housing plan in case you have issues.

 

Thanks megg and aquaphobia