Please help with a new tank set-up

Hi,

I am setting up a new tank and am totally overwhelmed by the
information I've learned through reading and research. I think I have
an idea of how to be successful but welcome any ideas and experienced
opinions about my plans.

I have 2 White Cloud Mountain Minnows and 2 snails in a little
Aquababies cube tank. (www.aquababies.com if you want to see what
those are). They were a gift, and I've had them for a year. The
literature included with the kit assured me that the set up was OK for
the fish. They've done well, but I now understand that they need a
lot more space and care than what they have. (Honestly, I've not
especially interested in fish keeping as a hobby and people I know
think it's a lot of trouble and expense to go through for two little
minnows. However, I feel that they're little living things in my
care and I'd like them to have a nice home and be happy.)

I bought an Eclipse Hex 5-gallon kit. (I know at least 10 gallons are
recommended, but, honestly I don't have the space nor the money) From
what I've read the White Clouds would be suited to survive in the
fluctuations of a smaller tank. It comes with a bio-wheel filter. I
don't think they need a heater. My home is climate controlled so
their water temperature will be stable and remain within 68 to 73
degrees. My tap water has a nearly neutral Ph (7.05ish) and a general
hardness of 8 degrees, and is OK for the species. I'm glad, since
they've been living in it all this time!

The fish love the little plant that came in their cube, but it's
dying. I have a 10w fluorescent bulb and plan on planting. I think a
Melon Sword and a Moneywort would be OK in my water and not too much
trouble? I don't mind supplementing and pruning but am not interested
in serious aquatic gardening.

I've read a lot about the nitrogen cycle and think (hope!) I grasp it.
I think I could either cycle the tank with water and gravel from
their cube, or, cycle it with the fish themselves. I'm leaning toward
using the fish, since taking some gravel out of the small cube might
stress the fish more than putting them through cycling. I'm confused
about the biological starters for sale – they seem to be too good to
be true, but the pet store people say they work. Would that be a
better route?

I've read that they should live in groups of six. I think six is too
many for a 5 gallon tank but it might be able to handle four after
it's cycled. Since one of the fish seems to be very aggressive I
thought that getting more fish would be good for them. Would four be
better than two for schooling fish? I think these two are males and I
really don't want to deal with fry, so, I'd like to get two more males
but am unsure if this would be a bad idea? Would it be a
biting-eachother-fest?

A lot of my reading warns against the use of snails because they
proliferate quickly. Mine seem to be sterile! (or maybe the fish are
eating the eggs?) I'm not sure what kind they are but I don't seem to
have any algae so they must be eating it. Are there any other reasons
to exclude snails from the tank?

Once everything is set up, I know I have to change the 25% of the
water and vacuum the gravel weekly, change the charcoal filter in the
every 2-4 weeks, and monitor the water values for signs of trouble.

I think I've covered everything (sorry this is so long) but I'm sure I
have a great deal to learn! Any suggestions or comments would be
welcome and very appreciated. I'm attached to my fish guys and really
don't want to kill them in the process of trying to help them!

Thanks!
Robin