FishProfiles.com Message Forums

YAY! I got a new 10g for Christmas, really looking forward to getting it set up. I had been considering a male betta with a shoal of small fish to go with him, probably neon or cardinal tetras, based on what my 6 yr old boy is wanting.

I want to try to cycle the new tank without fish this time, based on all the trouble I had cycling my 20g with Tiger Barbs. Since my 20g is due for a 25% WC and gravel vac, would it be a good idea to simply dump the water from the 20g in with the new water for the 10g to hasten the cycling process? The filter I was given is a cheapo air pump driven gizmo (that sticks to the side of the tank w/suction cups) so I dont even have common filter media to share between tanks. Maybe down the road I will grab another aquaclear HOB. The one on my 20g has been just great!

Also, should I get a heater for the 10g, or does it really matter for Bettas and tetras? I keep the house around 68-74 depending on time of year.

I am quite certain I'll plant this new little tank a litle bit as well. So, some sort of cover and lighting will be forthcoming as well once I get things rolling.

Anyhow, thanks for the ideas in advance...

Later

I would get a heater, Bettas prefer the temperature at 78-83 degrees.

Secondly, even though most of bacteria doesn't live in the water itself, there is probably uneaten food and waste that will help produce ammonia and help cycle the tank. Also, you could use some of the gravel from your existing 20 gallon to help the process. Then you just have to "feed" the tank ammonia (make sure it's pure ammonia though) for a few weeks until it's cycled. You could actually put the Betta in during the cycle if you do a silent cycle, which is the same as a fishless cycle except you add a ton of live plants and don't add the ammonia. I would just do the fishless cycle though. Hope this helps, and congrats on getting another tank.

Congrats on getting another tank.
I prefer using Zebra Danios for cycling I had no trouble at all for the 32lt Betta tank in fact they started breeding during the cycling process.

Just taking the water alone would not help much at all.
You could seed the filter and take a little of the substrate to help BUT it will still take several weeks to fully cycle. Don't be in a hurry that is the biggest mistake made by too many when setting up a new tank.
I have a heater in my Betta tank as it is certainly required during the cold months of the year. I also have a good internal Eheim which is set on full power plus an air wand across the back of the tank. The water movement does not worry him at all as I also have sheltered areas where he can rest if he wants to.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Well, I took a few netfuls of the 20g gravel and sprinkled it on top of my new gravel, used about 5 gal of water from the 20g, used a large rock from the 20g, all in an effort to get some stuff in the new tank that will jump start my cycle.

As for the hurry factor, I learned my lesson the hard way. I was in a hurry to get fish with the 20 gal so I cycled with Tiger Barbs... Not a good result.

This time, I will be taking my time lol

A 10 gal with a single betta should cycle by itself without much assistance, especially once planted. I'd just work on settling it up and planting it, and just keep an eye on it when you add your little man. I'd keep some bio starter stuff handy in case it spikes, but I think it would be unlikely.

I'd grab a proper sponge filter or a UGF if you want to go the air driven way. The stick-on box dealies won't be any good for a 10, but the cylindrical sponges have a fair bit of housing space for bacteria and UGFs are fantastic for keeping small tanks stable (though you need to be mindful of maintenance). If you have to use it, consider leaving out the extra schoolers until you have a better filter.

A heater would be an idea, they could probably survive 68, but it is just below the safe minimum and IME that often means opportunistic infections. It would be safer to get a small heater, even if you only flicked it on low in winter.


EDIT: if you've added seeding media already, what are you feeding it with?

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Just asking, you used dechlorinated water right? You probably did, but I just thought I'd ask and see, because if you didn't all the bacteria on the gravel and rock would be killed.

Also, I forgot to mention that it help to cut some of the filter media from the filter in the 20 gallon and add it to the 10. Good luck, I hate cycling tanks.

betta are tough little guys, he would be able to cycle well. The neons or cardsI would wait a few weeks for, until certain the cycle is complete. Yes I would get a heater and a filter for the tank, the heater to maintain a steady temp around 78 for them and a good dependable filter. Good luck

yea, I conditioned my water prior to adding it... always do!

I will probably just wait until I am fully cycled and well equipped with a better filter and heater before adding anyone to the tank.

I am now among the patient people in this hobby! lol

A Betta would be great for the tank, and would love the room. You have to be careful with tankmates though. Most of the time Bettas are peaceful with other fish, but their are some Bettas that will attack anything added to their tank. Some good tankmates would be smaller cories, platies, a snail, and shrimp. With the shrimp, you are better off starting with ghost shrimp because they are cheaper and some Bettas will kill the shrimp in the tank. Good luck!

Tanks:
10 Gallon-2 Platies

add food or something to your tank so the bacteria doesnt deie!!! you could probably do a mini cycle quickly with the old tanks water, the old tanks gravel and the old tanks filter media...

but you gotta feed the bacteria or it will die... maybe you should go to a cheap LFS buy whatever is on sale or some Zebra danios and throw them in so you dont loose all that excellent bacteria!

GOOD LUCK!

\\\\\\\"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure\\\\\\\"

I will "feed" my tank/bacteria with flakes. Are there any ideas on how much how often? I'd really love to get this cycled and stable before I add any critters...

I prefer not to do flakes; I do the whole ammonia thing. Just go to the dollar store or something and find some ammonium hydroxide (which is ammonia mixed with water) and you can dose a little into the tank regularly. Although technically you get more kinds of bacteria when you use actual organics, I tend to like this way better as you have less mess, and also you can control the amount of ammonia and compare to the test kit.

Look up fishless cycle for more information on that, we have a great article on it in our article section.

--------------------------------------------
The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.