u/ChiyannaD

I'm brand new to the hobby and already thinking of expanding. So far I've been ordering everything new off amazon (other than plants which I got off aquatic motiv) and the price of this has added up. So I decided to make this post and see if I could get better bang for my buck and support other hobbyists who've been at this longer.

If you're scratching your head over the location in the tag, that's cause it's a small town in the middle of nowhere. We have no lfs (the only one we had closed down months ago), heck, don't even have a chain pet store like a petco. Which is why my shopping so far has been exclusively online. As such, you MUST be open to shipping. Unless you live in this town or in one of the surrounding towns within reasonable driving distance, and even then it's not a guarantee that I'll be able to come to you.

Tanks- Looking for a 20 gallon long or bigger ideally. Nothing so big that one person won't be able to maneuver it into place. Although I'm also open to 5 or 10 gallon tanks to be host to a shrimp colony. Ideally would like a lid to go with any tank I get. Fine w framed tanks, if rimless would appreciate a mat. Would like to spend $50 or under (for just tank) but willing to go over that based on size and other accessories.

Tank stands- In order to put the tank I'm looking for somewhere, I'm going to need a stand of some sort. If you have both, even better. Looking to spend under $40 but again this isn't set in stone.

Accessories- Sponge and/or low flow filters. Heater (ideally an adjustable one). LED lights for growing plants. Make offer.

Filter media- Used filter media and/or bacteria starter would be useful for starting a cycle. Make offer.

Substrate- Interested in sand and gravel in natural, ideally darker tones. Used or new. Gravel must be on the smaller side and/or have smooth rounded edges. Sand should ideally be on the larger side. Also potentially interested in aquasoil if you have any. Make offer.

Hardscape- Primarily interested in rocks and driftwood in darker/reddish tones. Especially like java rock and slate. Also interested in moss tubes, coconut shells, and other, more natural looking and/or DIY decorations for fish and shrimp to hide in. Not particularly interested in standard aquarium ornaments, but may make exceptions. Make offer.

Plants- If I do end up getting another tank more plants will be needed. Interested in beginner friendly plants, primarily. Particularly would be down to buy Vallisneria, Pearlweed, Amazon Frogbit, Anubias, Monte Carlo, and different kinds of mosses.

Originally made (this) post over on r/bettafish but thought I might as well get input from the shrimp community as well.

I have a red male betta fish that I'm planning to set up with a 10 gallon with plants in the next couple of days. Since this fish was kinda dropped in my lap I'm planning on doing a fish-in cycle, testing water and keeping up with water changes as I've been doing for his current very temporary home. I've been finding mixed advice on whether you can keep anything w them in a ten gallon, and if so what. I know that I need to let the cycle complete before I attempt to add anything else, so I have some time, but I was also thinking I might want to get another tank set up and cycling just in case whatever I try to put in there with him ends up not working out (it seems betta fish are individuals in this regard XD). For that matter: how long does an in fish betta cycle usually take? Since I'm new to this, I figured I ought to get some advice.

So far, I've seen certain types of snails (nerites mainly, tho others say they aren't good for a new keeper/tank), shrimp (I am scared of ghost shrimp as u can get not rlly ghost shrimp that end up hurting your fish), and small fish (tetras mainly) pop up in my research. In your experience, what has ended up working with betta fish in this size tank? And out of these three which (and what type) would be the safest option? And which would be healthiest/happiest in a tank this size long term? And what would you recommend in terms of an 'oops my beta is bloodthirsty' tank for emergency shrimp removal?

Side note: I do plan on taking the betta out of the tank when I introduce the new tank mates, I figure he can chill in his current temporary container for half a day while the others settle in. I've also seen advice to rearrange the decor and/or turn off the light (does this help in your experience or is it really only the taking out and putting back in that does?). I also plan on watching the tank religiously the first day so I can separate them at the first sign of murder.

EDIT: What would you shrimp people recommend in terms of hiding places for the shrimp? Ideally ones you know won't be dangerous for my betta (I've heard they like to cram themselves into crevices sometimes rip).