Freshwater tank 5 gallons, live plants, fish, filter???

Question

I've got a 5 gallon flat back hex tank I got for free from someone that has a 2 bulb hood over it for grow lamps and a LOT (about 3 inches) of very small brown gravel in it. I love the gravel and I want to keep it, and I would also like to have live plants. What kind of plants can root in the gravel?

The little tank has an undergravel filter on it too, is this ok with live plants? it has a tube that comes up on each side and the guy had an airstone shoved down each tube. Is this the proper use of an undergravel filter?

This will be my first freshwater tank since my childhood days of a goldfish in a bowl on the sink. I currently keep reef tanks... lots of them, but freshwater I seem to be a moron....

what kind of fish would be happy in this set up?

Answer 1

Any kind of plants that they sell in the petstore are okay for your tank.

Cool...u have undergravel filter! Lucky u won it :D anyways I think is okay if your plants in there but I am not sure so ask your local petstore.

Try 2 or 3 fish in a tank. I will say get a Ryukin , blackmoor and a fantail :D But I will start with a baby one cuz u dont want it too big.

Answer 2

one male betta would be a happy a content there and I'm sure your plants will be fine

Answer 3

There may be a little too much gravel but that doesn't really hurt anything it just gives you less space to work with. I have a few plants growing in just straight gravel i would try some vallisneria or egeria densa but you would have to be careful because they could takeover your tank very fast, you could also try java moss though i never have.

For fish a single male betta would be perfect you could maybe do a small schoal of small tetras but you don't have that much space to work with.

About the underground filter...there is a chance that roots could get into it but if you keep the gravel maybe it wouldn't?

Anyways hope this helps!

Answer 4

First, I would take about an inch of the gravel out of the bottom.  Three inches is really too much, and has actually turned your 5 gallon tank into a 4 gallon one.  Most plants will root well in two inches.  

If you're looking for cheap plants you can grow yourself, go to Wal*Mart and buy a package of plant bulbs.  All you do is drop them in the water and they grow quickly with enough light.  It's really fun stuff.

Otherwise, I would go to your local aquarium store and browse the live plants they already have.  That is also a good way to find nice plants if youre willing to pay the extra.  You'll already know what they look like and someone can help you determine the right size.  

Next, for fish... I would recommend some neon tetras.  They're really colorful and peaceful fish, and small enough to have a school in your 5 gallon tank.  They also do well with plants, and won't eat them and tear them apart.  Also, get a couple Corydoras Catfish as bottom feeders.  

Best of luck.  Maybe one day you can give me advice on saltwater, because I'm only good with fresh.  :)