10G Betta Tank

[grownocean]

I'm currently on spring break and decided to start a new little project. My betta is currently in a tiny, 1.5G tank and I really want to upgrade him to a 10G that I had sitting around. 
 
He's a beautiful little dthm.... He's seems to be doing okay in here for the time being. I've had him for a couple months now. 
 

 
 
I finally agreed on this layout. I got these stones from a yard on my street (shhh don't tell anyone

). I did in fact boil them for several hours, so I'm rather certain that they're safe. 
 

 
 
Day 3: I finally added some live plants. I have yet to get an actual lighting system, unfortunately. Currently, I'm using a high-wattage school lamp aiming down into the tank
 
 

 
Day 4: The tank is powered with a Fluval Aquaclear 20, which I discovered to be rather noisy. During the night, since the tank is in my bed room, I turned it off..... Which probably aided in the cloudiness of the water. 
 
 
 
 
I'm not quite sure what is making the water so cloudy, I've read that it's rather normal for new tanks to appear this way. I doubt it's from the rocks because I boiled them and the water they were in after they cooled was clear. The spiderwood I have in there was soaked for a day in the tub in hot water. I know they will continue to release tannis for awhile, which I don't mind. Perhaps the sand is causing the cloudiness? I'm hoping that the filter will fix this problem as well as water changes every so often. Does anyone have any suggestions or comments?
 
 
The stocking plan for this is either going to be:
 
1 male betta
6-8 neon tetras
2 amano shrimp 
 
OR 
 
1 male betta
6 pygmy corys 
 
 
If anyone has any stocking suggestions, let me know! 
 

 

[Ninjouzata]

It looks lovely! Do you have a heater? Sorry if I'm missing it!
 
The cloudiness could be from the sand. Are you going to cycle the tank?
 
Your boy is very pretty! I vote for the betta & pygmy cories. C:

 

[grownocean]

Thank you! I OWN a heater, I haven't put it in there, yet. The heater stays at a steady 76F, not adjustable. I find that my betta is much more active around 80F, so I need to eventually buy one for this tank that can reach that. Should I add the heater I own to this? 
 
I'm definitely trying to cycle the 10G; I'm assuming it's going to be a long process. With my little betta tank, I found that adding the live plants gave it a "silent" cycle. I tested the water every other day until everything hit 0. I'm hoping that method would work for this tank as well.  

I also read somewhere that adding a bit of vaseline to the filter motor will quiet it out, I have yet to try that. I can't stand the noise when I'm sleeping  

 

[bluesword23516]

I would definitely add the heater. Although it won't be as warm as the betta would enjoy, a small heater is better than no heater

 

[Ninjouzata]

Is that heater in his current tank or a separate one? I wouldn't take it out of his tank as then he'd be left cold. Definitely get an adjustable one when you can
 
Are you following THIS to cycle the tank? If you take a small bit of filter media from his current tank that will help speed it along. If you havn't already picked up some ammonia you can find it at Ace Hardware.
 
I have read that about vaseline as well but havn't tried it. May want to look into that more before doing it.
 
Sorry it's giving you trouble when you're trying to sleep :c

 

[grownocean]

The one that stays at 76F isn't being used at all. I have a different one with my betta right now. So, I'll add the 76F one to my 10G for the time being.

Yes, I am following that cycle. I'll test the water in a couple days to see where I'm at.

Thanks for the feedback
I left the filter on all day today. That water surprisingly cleared up rather quickly!

 

[CrazyDiamond88]

Hey Andria
 
It's great that your betta is going to a 10 gallon, what a lucky guy
 
From my own experience, I STRONGLY advise against putting him in with another species. 
 
I first had my betta in a 12 gallon with ember tetras and they nipped him. Well one day he had enough and attacked the nippy fish and killed him.
I had to take the remaining tetras back to the LFS.
 
Then I had a shot at putting pygmy corydoras in with him. At first I was overjoyed as he seemed to pretty much ignore them, and they him.
 
However recently I've had a couple die on me. I am not entirely sure of what but I am certain that living with the betta has stressed them out immensely and led to their immune systems being weakened. Just about a week or two ago I finally did what I should have done a while ago and moved the betta to another tank.
 
Anyway that's what happened to me. I really wanted to make it work with my betta in a community tank but it just didn't work out.

 

[grownocean]

I see. I think it ultimately comes down to how docile the betta is. I had a particularly peaceful betta a couple years ago and kept him with x-ray tetras and a couple platys and they did well together. I think it's a hit and miss with this species. /: I'm sorry that happened to you.

 

[grownocean]

I discovered this morning that the wood has coated itself in a weird transparent film. What is that??

 

[Ninjouzata]

I'm not sure what it is, except that it's pretty common and normal. You can scrub it off if you like.