Cycling With Bettas?

[GuppyGoddess]

I asked on the new tank forum, but would like Betta expert advice. . .

I have bettas in 2-gallon bowls. I'm getting a used 10-gallon tank that will be divided. One Betta on each side.

I've been testing the ammonia in each of the 2-gallon bowls and it's high every day. Not super high, but still not acceptable. Question is, is it better to keep the two bettas in their seperate bowls with 75% daily water changes until the tank has cycled or should I just plop them in their uncycled sides and leave them in there with frequent partial water changes to minimize the ammonia levels? If they stay in the bowls, they'll have no heater/filter, but in their tanks, they will.

Also thoughts on adding "Safestart." I read it's the "more stable" of Bio-Spira that doesn't need to be refrigerated. It's $7.00 (US) 4.32 (UK). Will this stuff help or is a waste of money? I don't want to use any gravel from a mature tank because I fear it could be contaminated with disease from another tank.

 

[Honeythorn]

It could be done with the usual regular water changes, and can be sped up by adding mature used media from a filter that is currently running a stocked tank. Just take some out and stick it in the filter for your ten gallon along with the new media. That way you can kickstart the cycle and make the process safer for the bettas. It can't really be much worse than what they're in now.

 

[GuppyGoddess]

Problem is I don't have any mature media. I've casually talked to everyone I know with fish and always hear the same stories about how they've had difficulty keeping their fish alive (and for all I know it's due to disease). The only cycled tank I have houses two guppies and they may have camallanus (had one fish in the tank with it and took him out. . .not sure if the two who still are in there have it and/or the water is contaminated - no symptoms yet. They're kind of in quarantine - treated with Levamisole - if they pass away, I'll completely clean & restart the tank with a fishless cycle).