Hi-

I wonder if anyone can answer this for me. I'm starting up a new tank with filter, light, heater, etc., just for a new betta alone. One of my betta books talks suggests (for the bacteria)--taking old gravel from an operating tank to start a new tank (instead of purchasing "new bacteria." I don't know if this is okay or if it's okay from Molly to betta tank.

My new tank just arrived and I'm dying to stop by our LFS after work to invite a new betta to live with us since we lost Betta Boy last weekend.

(I wanted to see if I have to take this slower--My husband's the one who set up our filtered tank a few years ago and he doesn't remember what the details were.)

So if anyone can help ASAP, that'd be great. Otherwise, I'll just have to pray for patience. Thanks.

Love to all,
Wendy

The gravel will not help, bettas can go with unfiltered water, So if you take a bit of water out of your molly tank and put in with some new water in betta tank and take filter out it should be fine. But you have to do 50% water changes every 2 days.

This post has been edited by faithless1294: Apr 13 2007, 07:29 PM

Thanks for the answer. BUt I'm a little confused. I know bettas don't necessarily need filtered tanks, but I just lost my precious Betta Boy last weekend who had lived only six months in a 2 1/2 gallon bowl with heater and weekly water changes. We had a betta live a year once in a filtered tank, so I thought I'd do that again. Just not sure how to start out with a new tank.

Did you mean I could set up new betta tank with dechlorinated water and then add some of the molly tank water, too, --with the filter?

Thanks. -Wendy

well with the filter in it is going to take most of the good bacteria out of the water if you put some molly water in unless you leave it a week and just put some molly water in regulary as the molly water is prob perfect for the betta if all the stats are right? that way filter is ready...

the best to thing to do is just put your filter in and start it up. keep up the 50% every two days water changes until the filter is ready

Sorry, but I'm confused--this part is new to me. That's put filter WITH fish in and start. and then do 50% water change every 2 days? So I don't add any gravel from the molly tank? Thanks. Wendy

I got told by many people in the newbie section that adding water from an established tank does nothing because theres no bacteria in it, and that the bacteria itself is in the media/sponge of the filter and some in the gravel. Therefore adding gravel from an established tank is probably more effective than taking water from it, but the most effective is taking filter media out of your established tanks filter, and shoving it amongst the media in the new filter of your new tank.

with bettas if you dont filter and you use 50% water to fill tank from a well established tank there is nothing to remove bacteria so all is good and there is no worry about media and the like. always worked for me