Advice on tank!

[Nuttygal! :0)]

Ok, I read in the betta section this morning that bettas do not require a filter, a pump and a heater if you are keeping them on their own. I am going to set up a small tank soon, and I want to run through the steps.
1. Buy tank! (not sure what size though...)
2. Rinse sand/gravel through, add to tank and leave for a day
3. Squeeze filter media from another cycled tank into new one
4. Put some gravel into a tight from a cycled tank and leave to sit on bottom of new one to transfer bacteria
5. Add water - and dechlorinator!!
6. Next day add betta

Is this ok? Would I have to wait two days or longer before adding the betta? If anyone can correct me or give me any advice, I'd be happy to hear it!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Candyco]

Not sure if this link may help u at all! Unless you've already seen it! lol

http/www.geocities.com/chillamee1/betta.html

Kaz

 

[newfishies]

is this going to be a filtered tank or are you going to do water changes? you do need a heater if the room temp is not high enough (75-78 F, i think)

if you are not using a filter, then you don't need to transfer gravel, etc, beacuse you'll never have the water in the tank long enough to complete the cycling

 

[Nuttygal! :0)]

Thanks Candyco I'll check out that link!

Newfishies I wasn't planning to have a filter no so I won't transfer gravel and everything then. I will be doing weekly water changes.

Thanks for your help!

 

[SirMinion]

As you live in the UK, you should have a heater to keep the temperature in the Betta tank stable.

It's just too cold in the UK in the winter to rely on room temperature to keep the fish safe.

 

[corykitty516]

this may be obvious... but if you put the media in before the water make sure you dechlorinate the water before you add it to the tank or the chlorine will kill the benficial bacteria.

get a 2.5gal minibow then you at least have the option of a filter (this kind will not prevent a betta from bubble nesting) and it already has a hood and light and all AND you can heat it with a small watt heater

 

[sylvia]

Let me just make something clear - you CAN keep an un-filtered tank cycled. Even with regular, large water changes, the tank can and will cycle.

I also reccomend you add (de-chlorinated) water BEFORE adding the gravel and squeezing the media as the beneficial bacteria would die otherwise...

Make sure you put the betta in right after the gravel and squeezing the media or else the bacteria will starve.

You may want to consider a small airstone to improve water quality as the extra oxygen will be good for the beneficial bacteria and improve water circulation which will help keep the betta from getting things like finrot.

A weekly partial water change and maintainance like on any tank should be enough if you get something of 2.5 gallons or greater. Treat it like a regular tank and watch the parameters as it cycles during the first couple of months and do water changes accordingly.

 

[Nuttygal! :0)]

Ok! But with the airstone, I thought bettas don't like water movement do they? But I've heard of oxygenating tablets or something - what are they like?