10 Gallon Filtered Tank Set Up Question

[battyazac]

Hello. I just found this forum. Hello everyone!
I have a question for you guys.
I am in the process of setting up a 10 gallon divided filtered and heated tank for my bettas (my boyfriend is very talented at tank set-ups) that have each been in their own 2.5 gallon unfiltered tanks.
The tank is ready to go and I am adding water and water conditioner today, but I am not sure how to go about cycling it as I am used to unfiltered tanks and water changes. I will be adding some plastic plants and gravel and partial water from my other tanks so I know that will get some good bacteria in there, but what other steps should I take and how long should I wait to add my fishies. They are fine in the smaller tanks for now so time isn't a huge issue, although i'd like to move them as soon as possible due to the fact the smaller tanks are not heated and its going to get colder here in texas soon and running the heater on high in my house is not cutting it.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

-Tracy

 

[battyazac]

Forgot to mention the tank will be housing three bettas (divided with polycarbonate dividers with small holes drilled in them). Don't know if this makes a diff in cycling.

 

[Jenste]

if the fish have been always kept in unfiltered (and therefor uncycled) situations - -then I would say a "fish in" cycle would be an easy road for you because you are already accustomed to frequent water changes.


with a fish in, you would test and water change daily while your filter began the process of building up a bacteria colony to cope with the bettas waste output.

with only 3 bettas you will still have a fairly low bioload, but still maintain daily partial waterchanges to stay on top of any ammonia that the filter can not yet cope with.

and always, test with a reliable tester. stay away from test strips -they are highly unreliable.


oh and just one more thing - - Good luck and post lots of pictures!!!!

 

[battyazac]

if the fish have been always kept in unfiltered (and therefor uncycled) situations - -then I would say a "fish in" cycle would be an easy road for you because you are already accustomed to frequent water changes.


with a fish in, you would test and water change daily while your filter began the process of building up a bacteria colony to cope with the bettas waste output.

with only 3 bettas you will still have a fairly low bioload, but still maintain daily partial waterchanges to stay on top of any ammonia that the filter can not yet cope with.

and always, test with a reliable tester. stay away from test strips -they are highly unreliable.


oh and just one more thing - - Good luck and post lots of pictures!!!!

I started the fish in cycle last night, levels look good, fish are happy. Will monitor closely and do water changes. Will post pics soon.

 

[Panthera]

I'm doing the same thing, my 10 gallon is holding my 3 guys and I only have 1 filter. Some live plants might help the fish in cycle, I think they help deal with the ammonia Good luck!

 

[ollief9]

I just use Nutrafin Cycle

 

[stubert]

know anybody else with a tank? try nicking a bit of mature media to help kick start yours. If not fish in would be fine just keep an eye on your stats!

also real plants would be better than plastic for the water/fish