1 - Yes, just add the plants in and have them in there during the cycle.
2 - You can put a betta and one or two small snails (like nerites) or a couple of shrimp, but some bettas will eat shrimp - adults and babies. That's about all you could put in a 5.5 gallon. I'd do nerites over shrimp just because of the eating factor. If you don't overfeed, the snails don't have that high of a bioload.
3 - That filter is fine. You may need to aim the spray bar at the glass to minimize the current. Some bettas like current, some don't. Three of mine don't mind some current, two of them get all stressed out about it. Not everyone would agree, but I'd recommend this filter over that one just because it's easier to baffle the outflow by just sticking a sponge over it. It's a decent, small filter if you're looking for an internal one. http://www.amazon.com/Aqueon-10-Gal...d=1400095568&sr=1-12&keywords=internal+filter
2 - You can put a betta and one or two small snails (like nerites) or a couple of shrimp, but some bettas will eat shrimp - adults and babies. That's about all you could put in a 5.5 gallon. I'd do nerites over shrimp just because of the eating factor. If you don't overfeed, the snails don't have that high of a bioload.
3 - That filter is fine. You may need to aim the spray bar at the glass to minimize the current. Some bettas like current, some don't. Three of mine don't mind some current, two of them get all stressed out about it. Not everyone would agree, but I'd recommend this filter over that one just because it's easier to baffle the outflow by just sticking a sponge over it. It's a decent, small filter if you're looking for an internal one. http://www.amazon.com/Aqueon-10-Gal...d=1400095568&sr=1-12&keywords=internal+filter
