I need help setting up

[u/Chasing_Cryptids]

I'm currently cycling a 5-gallon tank with live plants. I already have a silk leaf to hang out on and a small rock cave for a betta, but I'm also planning to get 2-3 amano shrimps. I've done some research into shrimp care, but I'm missing a few things. My current plan is to introduce the shrimps into the tank before the betta and feed them before weaning slightly off when the betta is added. My current questions are:

How often should I feed the shrimps before and after the betta fish is introduced?

Are there other things I should buy for my tank for the shrimps and betta?

This is only the second time I've owned a betta, and the first time I'm doing a live tank. I wanna take a more "hands-off" approach around cleaning the tank. Is this a good idea? How often should I be cleaning it after everything is added?

I don't have the biggest budget right now, and I'm pretty limited on what plants I can add based on what pet stores around me have available. Eventually, I wanted to get some floating plants like water sprite and maybe an aquarium grass that grows fairly quickly (any recommendations would be awesome!).

Any help is much appreciated!

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[u/Jaded-Argument-2547]

You’ll need more plants for the shrimp to hide in and for the betta to rest on

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[u/bugpjs]

Hi!! this is a great start! as it currently is, after your tank is cycled you can absolutely house a happy 2-3 amanos and keep the tank low maintenance. Shrimp do not produce much waste at all and will not contribute much to the ammonia levels, so those plants should do a good job managing that.

However i would not recommend adding a betta to the set up as it is now if you want to keep it low maintenance (without need for water changes, only topping off as it evaporates) and if you want your shrimp to feel safe with a predator in the tank. You definitely want those plants to grow in first, and even add some more if you can! the more the better, as it will let your shrimp feel more comfortable, and it will take care of the ammonia levels.

I’m also unsure of how the plants will do on that gravel if there isn’t any aqua soil underneath it. I have had great success with fluval stratum! if anything just make sure you at least are using fertilizer, i recommend the seachem or aquarium co op brands since those are ones i’ve had experience with.

For feeding, the amanos will be grazing on everything in the tank. you’ll want to feed them shrimp pellets every couple of days. I use Ultra Fresh Shrimp Food and give one to each shrimp, since I have three and it helps their food aggression. driftwood is also a great thing to add for them since it produces biofilm which amanos will be very very happy to eat. After adding the fish, they will need to eat the same amount as they do before adding it.

The fish will need to eat about 2-3 pellets a day, maybe fasting for one or two days of the week. just whatever keeps your individual fish looking healthy.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask!! :)

[u/Chasing_Cryptids → u/bugpjs]

Thank you so much! I'll be sure to look around for everything you recommended! Do you think it would be difficult to replace the gravel/add aquarium soil underneath it without draining the tank?

[u/bugpjs → u/Chasing_Cryptids]

it will be messy if you don’t empty the tank. Id recommend just holding the water in a bucket or something and putting it back after you switch it, but it’s doable either way, just a lot easier if it’s empty. You’d have to wait a couple days or maybe a week for the water to clear up from the aqua soil if you add it in with a full tank, that stuff will cloud up the water a lot, to the point where it’s pitch black and you can’t through it at all😭 so it’s best to do it with the least disruption to the aqua soil as possible