Fluval Spec 5 - tank cycled - fish/shrimp/snail prep

Hi,

So after approx 38 days, my tank is pretty much cycled at 0.5 ppm ammonia, 0 nitrites, and about 10-20 ppm nitrates (API master test kit). I did a small water change last night and have not tested yet but I’m sure ammonia is zero now. I’ve ordered a pink candy plakat female betta, 5 blue diamond shrimp, and 3 small nerite snails that should all be arriving (hopefully) next week. I realized after the fact that 3 (even though small) nerite snails may be too many for my 5 gallon and could potentially starve to death with there not being enough algae to consume. But I’m not sure my order for the snails can be canceled at this point. Should I just attempt to add all 3 snails along with the 5 shrimp and betta in at once in hopes the snails will survive? Maybe buy a couple more plants to aid in more plant matter to be consumed? The minimum I could order from this site was 3, so in hindsight I would’ve bought just one snail locally. I also read nerite snails don’t really eat much else besides algae in the tank so probably won’t even try algae wafers, etc.

I’ve included a photo of my tank so you get an idea of plants, algae growth, etc. (FYI- I just put that purple dome/hiding spot in today but everything else has been there since day 1 (Sept 13)) Please let me know if you have any suggestions on what I can do to my tank to better the environment for the snails, and the betta and shrimp as well. I’m thinking more live plants. Also I plan to order a lid cover for the opening on Etsy so the fish doesn’t try to jump out and snails don’t crawl out.

Also planning to get this slim flow nozzle so betta won’t be fighting a current as much.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1322523809/fluval-spec-v-slim-smooth-flow-nozzle?ref=cart

Thank you all in advance!!

 

nerite snails, in my opinion produce too much waste for a 5 gallon to handle. i have the exact same tank as you do. I added a nerite snail, and it polluted the tank with its poop, so i had to move the snail to my 20 gallon. if you want an algae eater, get amano shrimp instead. also, more plants would definitely help to make the betta and shrimp happy.

 

nerite snails, in my opinion produce too much waste for a 5 gallon to handle. i have the exact same tank as you do. I added a nerite snail, and it polluted the tank with its poop, so i had to move the snail to my 20 gallon. if you want an algae eater, get amano shrimp instead. also, more plants would definitely help to make the betta and shrimp happy.

The only thing I’m thinking Amani shrimp wouldn’t do is clean the glass? I could be wrong on that. But I’d like my tank as clean as possible while still giving my snails enough to eat. I guess my biggest concern at this point is just what I should do with these snails once they arrive.. Dump them in the tank and see what happens? Sell them and just get a single snail? Just want to give all life in the tank the best chance at surviving and living a full life as possible. I’ll definitely be getting more plants as well..And if you have any recommendations on other plants to add please let me know!

 

Be sure to test the cycle before you assume it's done. When was the last time you dosed ammonia and to what level? Redose to 2ppm ammonia. Tank is cycled if ammonia and nitrite are zero in 24 hours. Don't do any more water changes until the tank is cycled. If you didn't use pure ammonia to cycle, did you use fish food or similar? How high did the ammonia get before it started to decrease?

Since your tank may not yet be cycled, you will want to pay close attention when you add your fish etc. Test daily (ammonia and nitrite) for a few days just to be sure everyone is safe. If you see ammonia and or nitrites after you add your animals you will need to do water changes to keep the levels of each below 0.5ppm while your cycle catches up to the new bioload.

Three nerites in a new five gallon is not good especially with shrimp too. Both snails ans shrimp want a mature tank.I keep one nerite in a mature 29g and she keeps the glass, plants, wood and rocks clean. A new tank will have nothing for them to eat (same for shrimp). I've kept nerites for years, but have never fed them. You can try algae wafers, and/ or blanched veggies like kale, carrots, green beans etc. You may have to experiment to find what they like. Don't leave these foods in longer the 24 hours or they will start to foul the water. Make sure to acclimate the snails just as you do with fish. Same for the shrimp.

The shrimp will appreciate a more complex environment. Plenty of hardscape and plants. You could try java moss, guppy grass, and water sprite which grow easily and quickly and the shrimp will love them. You could try some floating plants too. The shrimp also will need to be fed.

Also, if you ask some of the Betta keepers here they will know just what will make your new pet happy in terms of how your tank is set up.

None of your planned stocking eats plants, so don't put plants in for that reason. Plants will help keep the water healthy, they look nice, they provide surfaces for "stuff" to grow that will help feed your snails and shrimp. They make the environment a little more structurally / visually complex, providing hiding places and breaks in the line of site which help fish feel more safe.

 

. . . Please let me know if you have any suggestions on what I can do to my tank to better the environment for the snails, and the betta and shrimp as well. I’m thinking more live plants. Also I plan to order a lid cover for the opening on Etsy so the fish doesn’t try to jump out and snails don’t crawl out.

Also planning to get this slim flow nozzle so betta won’t be fighting a current as much.

Fluval Spec V Slim Smooth Flow Nozzle - Etsy

Thank you all in advance!!

Yes. Many more live plants. That will also give your shrimp a better chance at survival since they graze on biofilm pretty much non-stop, and live plants should have biofilm on them.

Many experienced shrimp keepers won't put shrimp in a tank until it's been running at least three months, which gives time for biofilm to develop. However, since they're already on the way that's irrelevant in this case.

 

Be sure to test the cycle before you assume it's done. When was the last time you dosed ammonia and to what level? Redose to 2ppm ammonia. Tank is cycled if ammonia and nitrite are zero in 24 hours. Don't do any more water changes until the tank is cycled. If you didn't use pure ammonia to cycle, did you use fish food or similar? How high did the ammonia get before it started to decrease?

Since your tank may not yet be cycled, you will want to pay close attention when you add your fish etc. Test daily (ammonia and nitrite) for a few days just to be sure everyone is safe. If you see ammonia and or nitrites after you add your animals you will need to do water changes to keep the levels of each below 0.5ppm while your cycle catches up to the new bioload.

Three nerites in a new five gallon is not good especially with shrimp too. Both snails ans shrimp want a mature tank.I keep one nerite in a mature 29g and she keeps the glass, plants, wood and rocks clean. A new tank will have nothing for them to eat (same for shrimp). I've kept nerites for years, but have never fed them. You can try algae wafers, and/ or blanched veggies like kale, carrots, green beans etc. You may have to experiment to find what they like. Don't leave these foods in longer the 24 hours or they will start to foul the water. Make sure to acclimate the snails just as you do with fish. Same for the shrimp.

The shrimp will appreciate a more complex environment. Plenty of hardscape and plants. You could try java moss, guppy grass, and water sprite which grow easily and quickly and the shrimp will love them. You could try some floating plants too. The shrimp also will need to be fed.

Also, if you ask some of the Betta keepers here they will know just what will make your new pet happy in terms of how your tank is set up.

None of your planned stocking eats plants, so don't put plants in for that reason. Plants will help keep the water healthy, they look nice, they provide surfaces for "stuff" to grow that will help feed your snails and shrimp. They make the environment a little more structurally / visually complex, providing hiding places and breaks in the line of site which help fish feel more safe.

I should’ve made this clear before, but I’ve tested cycle throughout and maybe a couple weeks ago it went from around 6ppm ammonia one night down to 2ppm the following morning, so that showed me my tank is able to process 4ppm in approx 12 hours. I’ve tested other nights since and it went from 2ppm to 0.5ppm the next morning, I think another night was 4ppm to 2ppm next morning. So these values seemed to show it’s cycled. I dosed with ACE hardware ammonia from the start as well as tetra safe start. I haven’t seen any nitrites throughout my entire cycle, which I’ve read is normal when using the tetra safe start.

I emailed the site I ordered from to see if they could refund me for the snails since they haven't packaged or shipped anything yet, so we’ll see what they say. I don’t think I want to add any snails after what you said, so I’ll just stick with the betta and shrimp for now and see how that goes. I’ll also be trying the plants you mentioned.

So I have 2 questions for you:
1. I’m new to all things fish, tanks, etc. So as far as acclimation goes, how would you go about acclimating a betta and shrimp? I don’t plan to do the drip method as I don’t have the supplies for that, but is there another efficient way of doing it safely?
2. What food do you recommend for shrimp aside from what’s within the tank itself?

Thanks!

Yes. Many more live plants. That will also give your shrimp a better chance at survival since they graze on biofilm pretty much non-stop, and live plants should have biofilm on them.

Many experienced shrimp keepers won't put shrimp in a tank until it's been running at least three months, which gives time for biofilm to develop. However, since they're already on the way that's irrelevant in this case.

Yes, I realize now I should’ve done more research before purchasing the snails and shrimp. Hoping they can cancel the snails since nothing has shipped, but would like to stick it out with the shrimp to see how they do. You probably can’t tell from the photo, but there is quite a bit of algae growing on pretty much everything in my tank. It’s like a thin slimy film on everything, with the exception of some very visible hair like algae off some of my plants. So I feel like they should at least have something to start off with. Will definitely be getting more plants!