Getting my first small tank? Stocking and Set Up Q

[MCMLXXXVII]

Good deal at a LFS for a 5gallon kit. Comes with everything including a sponge filter that I've never used before.

I have no shortage of cycled media laying around and normally just throw a bag into the new filter and do water tests for a couple weeks after to keep an eye on things but with a sponge filter there is no where to put media so what should I do. I'd hate to have to start a fresh fish in cycle and refuse to fishless cycle at this point.

I've never had a betta before and will likely put one in there. Now that seems like a lot of tank for one single fish so I would like to get something else in their. I know betta sororities are a thing but whats the fewest fish you could do this with or is it a trial and error thing? Was also tossing around the idea of a small pleco like a clown or rubberlipped or a small school of lazer corys on some sand.(i've no expierence with corys) I do have a dozen or so full grown neons that I could put in there but I kind of like them in the tetra community 90G and don't look forward to having to net them!

Would like to see your 5G setups and stockings.

 

[Aurorafishy]

Good deal at a LFS for a 5gallon kit. Comes with everything including a sponge filter that I've never used before.

I have no shortage of cycled media laying around and normally just throw a bag into the new filter and do water tests for a couple weeks after to keep an eye on things but with a sponge filter there is no where to put media so what should I do. I'd hate to have to start a fresh fish in cycle and refuse to fishless cycle at this point.

I've never had a betta before and will likely put one in there. Now that seems like a lot of tank for one single fish so I would like to get something else in their. I know betta sororities are a thing but whats the fewest fish you could do this with or is it a trial and error thing? Was also tossing around the idea of a small pleco like a clown or rubberlipped or a small school of lazer corys on some sand.(i've no expierence with corys) I do have a dozen or so full grown neons that I could put in there but I kind of like them in the tetra community 90G and don't look forward to having to net them!

Would like to see your 5G setups and stockings.

I’m pretty sure Cory’s are schooling fish and need more than 10 gallons (10 gallons are actually too small) if you had a ten gallon maybe two cory’s could work. But cory’s love space. I don’t know much about plecos. But I’m pretty sure you can have a few shrimp if you want in your tank. I would say not, but if you’re betta isn’t aggressive, maybe a few shrimp could work. Mystery/Nerite Snails could be in a 5 gal. And i think that’s it.

 

[jkkgron2]

If you don’t want to start a new cycle you’ll have to buy another filter that you can put used media in. Otherwise you will need to start a new cycle.

As to stocking. You definitely won’t want a betta sorority, a pleco, or any schooling fish. A single betta along with shrimp and a snail or two is your best bet.

 

[MCMLXXXVII]

I would love to have shrimp but they don't do well in our local water and their really pricey because the fish stores get so many losses due to the previously mentioned water. Not to mentions shrimp generally need a very established tank and this is going to be newly set up and I don't do plants so I don't think shrimp are in the cards for me.

I'm trying to stay away from getting fish that I already have in my other tanks. I've already got lots of mystery snails and don't really care for other types of snails. Kuhli loaches I know would work but I already have a healthy school of them.

I agree 10 corys would be to much but I think 6 would be do-able. I can always add more or move them if it comes to that.

Clown plecos are super small I don't really see them being a problem as a sole partner for a betta. They have opposite schedules and habituate in different levels of the tanks.

 

[jkkgron2]

I would love to have shrimp but they don't do well in our local water and their really pricey because the fish stores get so many losses due to the previously mentioned water. Not to mentions shrimp generally need a very established tank and this is going to be newly set up and I don't do plants so I don't think shrimp are in the cards for me.

I'm trying to stay away from getting fish that I already have in my other tanks. I've already got lots of mystery snails and don't really care for other types of snails. Kuhli loaches I know would work but I already have a healthy school of them.

I agree 10 corys would be to much but I think 6 would be do-able. I can always add more or move them if it comes to that.

Clown plecos are super small I don't really see them being a problem as a sole partner for a betta. They have opposite schedules and habituate in different levels of the tanks.

In a 5 gallon your fish will most likely die if you put in corys or a pleco. I’m sorry to have to say it like this but it just won’t work. Please don’t put in any schooling fish or plecos in a 5 gallon tank.

 

[Noroomforshoe]

I don't know if you will be able to use any used bacteria with a sponge filter, as there is no where to put it. But get creative, you never know.

Betta sorority needs at least 5 fish and at least a ten gallon, but it doesnt work every time.

You could keep shrimp with some bettas, it depends on the individual fishes temperament.

I have 3 very small pencil fish in a 5 gallon , They are doing well, but i feel guilty about its like a dirty secret.

 

[Aurorafishy]

I would love to have shrimp but they don't do well in our local water and their really pricey because the fish stores get so many losses due to the previously mentioned water. Not to mentions shrimp generally need a very established tank and this is going to be newly set up and I don't do plants so I don't think shrimp are in the cards for me.

I'm trying to stay away from getting fish that I already have in my other tanks. I've already got lots of mystery snails and don't really care for other types of snails. Kuhli loaches I know would work but I already have a healthy school of them.

I agree 10 corys would be to much but I think 6 would be do-able. I can always add more or move them if it comes to that.

Clown plecos are super small I don't really see them being a problem as a sole partner for a betta. They have opposite schedules and habituate in different levels of the tanks.

Could you do a dwarf Crawfish, or ember tetras I’ve heard that they could work in a 5 gallon. But even if they do work, they might not be the best it’ll be a bit cramped. What about other snails, like a Malaysian Trumpet Snail etc. I know some people housed Harlequin Rasboras with a Betta in a 5 gal, it’s a bit risky but could work.

These are all just taking chances, there are no guarantees that they’ll get along.

 

[mattgirl]

Maybe you could set the bottom of the sponge filter in a media bag with some of your seeded media and seed it that way. If you have seeded sponges maybe you could attach a piece of it on the the sponge filter with a rubber band. Where there is a will there is a way. You just have to think outside of the box and do something unusual.

I am sure lots of folks will jump on me with both feet when I tell what I have in my 5.5 gallon tank until they read the whole post. Right now I have 2 juvenile bronze corys, 1 bristle nose pleco and 3 small rabbit snails in there. The corys will go in my big tank once they get a bit bigger. The pleco is well over a year old and stopped growing a just a tad over an inch long so will be allowed to live out its life in this tiny tank. Other than the size it is a perfect tiny pleco. All of its siblings grew well and have all been re-homed.

The rabbit snails will be the plecos only companions once the corys are moved although if I could get them I would have no problem adding 4 or 5 dwarf or pygmy corys to this tank. I actually may have to move the rabbit snails to a bigger tank at one point as larger tanks are recommended for them. I don't always follow what some consider the rules of fish keeping to a tee though. I just make sure I over filter and keep up with the necessary water changes.

I have considered moving my shrimp from the 2.5 gallon bowl they are in right now over to this tank once the corys are gone. Its too bad shrimp don't do well in your water. Is buying water they can live in not an option for this tiny tank once it is established well enough for shrimp?

 

[Megaanemp]

You can definitely swish some filter media into tank water and dump it in the new tank. The sponge filter will eventually suck it up I do this every time a quarantine new fish

I don't know if you will be able to use any used bacteria with a sponge filter, as there is no where to put it. But get creative, you never know.

Betta sorority needs at least 5 fish and at least a ten gallon, but it doesnt work every time.

You could keep shrimp with some bettas, it depends on the individual fishes temperament.

I have 3 very small pencil fish in a 5 gallon , They are doing well, but i feel guilty about its like a dirty secret.
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[Leinalou]

Bettas can definitely co exist with many of the species you have mentioned. However, their ability to tolerate other fish is in my experience directly proportional to the size of their tank. If the other fish are in their face all day, they are waaaay more likely to attack. Even in a 10g, my kindest, gentlest bettas almost always end up turning on their friends. A 20, its better... etc. So, I agree with everyone- shrimp or snails. And, as you said you can't do shrimp, snails. But you can decorate it really cutely!

 

[Islandvic]

I would not advise to have a shoal of corydoras in a 5g.

I've done khuli loaches before in a 5.5g, and they did fine. They were with 2 glo tetras. Wasn't optimal though, but everyone was healthy for 6 months before we broke down the tank and the fish were moved to our main community tank.

Tank was instantly cycled though by transfering media from another tank. Probably why fish did well in it, they didnt have to suffer being in a tank that wasn't fully cycled.