Small tank frustration!!!

[Tazzy_toon]

Due to space and money restrictions, I am trying to figure out what to put in an already cycled 5 gallon eclipse tank.

At the moment I have my betta in the 5 gallon with some minows, he's really quite mild mannered but he does give them a chase now and again. lol However, I would like to put him in my 2 gallon that currently has 2 shrimp and put shrimp (plus about 5 or 6 more) in the 5 gallon with a couple schooling fish that have a bit of color. I have blue gravel substrate in there now and it looks cool but doesn't seem very functional for shrimp or live plants.

I have a 6 gallon fluval edge with 3 guppes and 2 ottos. They seem very happy, but not very interesting. It has 3 semi live plants. Crypt, sword and maybe anubia (or whatever thats called. lol) Plants will probably do better once I fix up the lighting.

All tanks are cycled (although the fluval was cleaned it hasn't shown any amonia in over 2 weeks, so I think it's good) Other 2 tanks I bought used and already cycled.

Does anyone have any ideas??? Thoughts??? or Suggestions??? I used to have a 20 gallon years ago, but after a car accident, I had to tear it down because I couldn't care for it. I didn't realize how restricing a small tank is.

Although, I must say I have thoroughly enjoyed my lil betta in his bowl for the last 1.5 yrs. It's funny how he comes to great me.

[TomC]

For an interesting tank, maybe try a trio of killifish. They are not good with shrimp, though.

[Luke78]

For your Fluval setup, 2 weeks(cycle) might not be quite there yet.Did you run a few water tests to see where your at? Or head over to your nearest LFS and ask them to check it for you?Last thing you want to do is add fish and run into a few problems.Maybe a few rasbora chili or galaxy will add colour and activity to your aquarium.

[Tazzy_toon]

ya, i've done testing everything is normal. It was an existing set up, that i washed a little too well. I fully expected to have to run a full cycle and have been monitoring the situation as per advice from members here. Not a thing out of wack in over 2 weeks actually (3wks fri). Not even a smidge of amonia Or anything else that shouldn't be there. Thanks for the concern tho.

[Tazzy_toon]

They look kinda neat, but when i looked it up most sites said they required a 20 gallon tank?? Is there a specific type that will fit in a 6 gallon?

For an interesting tank, maybe try a trio of killifish. They are not good with shrimp, though.

[TomC]

They look kinda neat, but when i looked it up most sites said they required a 20 gallon tank?? Is there a specific type that will fit in a 6 gallon?

I kept and bred some for a long time in a planted 5 gallon. Maybe somebody else can relate their own experience.

[discuspaul]

Have to agree with Lke78 - look up chili rasboras (Bararas brigittae), or Boraras Maculatus, or Celestial Pearl Danios (Galaxy Rasboras).

[Tazzy_toon]

It's good to know that that killifish can be kept in a smaller tank, but that fact that they might not be good with shrimps is a bit of a deterent for me since I would like some variety and shrimps have a small bio load.

I was wondering if a mosquito rasbora might be a good fit for the tank since they seem to be a little smaller bodied?

FYI, I don't plan on adding anything to the Fluval edge at this time since I've already got 3 guppies and 2 ottos in it. Just wanted to stock the 5 gallon eclipse. Although I could always change things around if it would be better for the variety.

I really appreciate the input, because experience is sometimes way better then just reading the averages. And there is so much on the internet that my head is ready to explode.

[Sliver]

dwarf aquatic frogs are fun to watch and do fine with bettas but you have to make sure you have a lid...
dunno whether they would eat the shrimp or not though...

[Atom]

It's good to know that that killifish can be kept in a smaller tank, but that fact that they might not be good with shrimps is a bit of a deterent for me since I would like some variety and shrimps have a small bio load.

I was wondering if a mosquito rasbora might be a good fit for the tank since they seem to be a little smaller bodied?

I have 3 threadfin rainbows with a group of chili/mosquito rasboras and cherry shrimp. I have not had any problems with them coexisting. The threadfin rainbows have mouths too small for juvie or adult shrimp and the rasboras are just plain small...smaller than adult shrimp. I do recommend maybe a 10 gallon for the threadfins because they are quite active. Mine are a bit cramped at the moment.