New to this, did it all backwards.

When I got my 29 gallon tank, I wanted to start with just plants and let it cycle, and eventually get female bettas... my mom knew I got a tank, so she brought me a male betta that "looked like he wouldn't make it at the store". So, I planted the plants, got some heaters, and a light. He didn't like the water movement with the filter, so I hoped plants would be sufficient. Skip like two weeks, and he's doing fine, despite never cycling. I got a young bristlenose pleco, a turtle tank filter (best we could find that didn't create much movement), and a vacuum. I've had the bristlenose a few weeks now, and they are doing great together, except my betta had the cotton wool thing twice since I brought home the bristlenose, but goes away after a couple daily 20-25% water changes, and seems to stay away with 4-5 gallons changed every other day. It's tap water with water conditioner for betta. Should I be doing something else different with all that?

Now comes the small questions I couldn't find answeres to...

With all the poop the pleco produces, do I still need co2? Can I put co2 directly in the tank? How do I vacuum without messing up the substrate ( a layer under the gravel that mixed in with the gravel when I tried)? How often do I need to vacuum? Is the turtle water filter going to be enough? What kind of moss can I cover the filter with that will stay short?



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Have you had your water tested at all for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates to see how the cycle is going? Also, what are you keeping your tank's temperature at? Bettas like warmer water than the pleco you have. I vacuum 1/3 to 1/2 of my tank every week when I do my water changes. But because your still cycling you will need more frequent changes. People here really like Prime for their water conditioner (I just switched myself). I'm not sure what the betta product your using does.

Did the turtle filter say what its gallons per hour is? What brand /model is it? Maybe someone here will have some experience with it.

 

I've tested the water, it's hard water, but no issue with ammonia or nitrates. The temperature stays between 76-78. I've got two heaters, one is for 30 gallon tank, and the other for a 10. I think my water primer is bettasafe, and it's 7 drops per gallon. I only put it in the water jugs I fill so it's room temp.
I attached a pic of the filter, I though I had a 20 gallon tank when I bought it. I usually keep my tank only 22-25 gallons full though. The bristlenose loves it. View attachment 1473909396526.jpg

 

Gorgeous pleco!!!

 

Also, how do I vacuum without mixing the gravel and layer of substrate?

Thank you pipirose. I can't wait to find out if it's a male or female

 

Also, how do I vacuum without mixing the gravel and layer of substrate?

I have never had to do that, but I assume you would just need to not "dig" to much with the vacuum. I have sand as my substrate and I find that if I "wave" over the area I can get the detritus to float up. I then place vacuum over it and up it goes!

 

Okay, I'll try that next time. I kind of do that with the net, and clean most of the pleco poo that way... other than the strings it leaves behind I never really have stuff to clean from the bottom. Thank you

 

Best of luck!

 

I learned more about plants today, and replanted the whole tank. Tomorrow I'm picking up a few tanks from a cl ad (180 for sale, never used for fish, just a water storage/filtration thing) and am pretty stoked. I can't wait for a plant only tank, and a more pleco friendly tank, all sand bottom. Unfortunately, a few plants, and fish (2 goldfish I acquired and a pleco.... poor little pleco paid for my not knowing) perished in my journey to get to here, but now I feel like I'm at a point, with this forum, that I can start more tanks without casualties. Fingers crossed.