[BettahBehBeh]

Hi,

I have a dirt tank with Miracle Gro Organic Potting mix, gravel, and a lot of plants. I would like to add my betta and some shrimp eventually. I haven't added any source of ammonia yet...it's been up for about 3 weeks or so, with HUGE water changes and moving plants around (I can never decide, and can't stop fiddling. Hoping to stop now!). My question is this: I've read that the soil releases ammonia. Does this ammonia start the nitrogen cycle or do I need to do something else? Do I need to throw in the Tetra SafeStart when I add my betta? I've used that in the past with good results. Thanks so much!

 

[MattsBettas]

The ammonia is what starts it. You can add TSS if you want, the fish will be fine.

As I said on the other thread, you can probably go ahead and add the fish now, but I recommend waiting on the shrimp.