First Time Cycling Help?

[nikkifro8994]

Hello. I am setting up my 5 gallon betta tank soon and need some help with cycling it. I already have a 10 gallon guppy tank that has had fish for 3 months now. The filters on both tanks are the same. I need to change the filter cartridge soon in the 10 gallon. Can I put the old cartridge in the 5 gallon filter to help cycle? The 5 gallon will also have some amazon swords. Will this also help cycle? Or will they die in the cycle?

Do I need to do anything besides add mature filter media and let it run for a while?
How long should the tank be set up before I buy a betta and a few shrimp or a snail(haven't decided which)?
What should my levels be before I add anything?
Are bettas sensitive to levels like some other fish?
Any advice before I begin?

Thanks!
Nikki

 

[Aqua Tom]

Change the cartridge? What cartridge is that then?

Tom

 

[nikkifro8994]

the cartridge in my 10 gallon filter needs to be changed. i was thinking maybe i could put the old one in the 5 gallon filter to help start a cycle.

 

[fluttermoth]

When did you last change the cartridge? Really you shouldn't change them, just rinse gently in old tank water. Is there another kind of media in the filter?

 

[HayzH]

if you change the filter it will need cycling again...if i'm right. and someone correct me if i'm wrong..but are you sure your tanks are not overcrowded?

 

[nikkifro8994]

I have an Aqua Clear power filter in my 10 gallon tank. It has 3 parts to it: carbon, foam, and bio-max. The instructions said to change carbon every month, foam every 2, and bio-max every 3. I need to change the carbon this week. I have the same filter for my 5 gallon that isn't set up yet. I am going to set it up tomorrow and start cycling on Monday. That way I can make sure my equipment works right. I was thinking I could put the old carbon in the 5 gallon filter to help start a cycle.

 

[nikkifro8994]

<hr>

<br>if you change the filter it will need cycling again...if i'm right. and someone correct me if i'm wrong..but are you sure your tanks are not overcrowded?<br>

<br><br>I have 2 tanks. A 10 gallon with 4 male guppies and 1 male platy and an empty 5 gallon(no water or anything). no overcrowding here.

 

[PyroBrit]

Don't change your filters just rinse them lightly in tank water when doing a water change about once a month or if you see the water flow dropping.

My filter sponges are 4 years old and still going strong. Will save you a lot of money in filter changes and much better for your bacterial growth.

Only change carbon filter if you need to remove meds as this filter wears out within days.

 

[Aqua Tom]

Don't change your filters just rinse them lightly in tank water when doing a water change about once a month or if you see the water flow dropping.

My filter sponges are 4 years old and still going strong. Will save you a lot of money in filter changes and much better for your bacterial growth.

Only change carbon filter if you need to remove meds as this filter wears out within days.

+1 , my point exactly

 

[HayzH]

<hr>

<br>if you change the filter it will need cycling again...if i'm right. and someone correct me if i'm wrong..but are you sure your tanks are not overcrowded?<br>

<br><br>I have 2 tanks. A 10 gallon with 4 male guppies and 1 male platy and an empty 5 gallon(no water or anything). no overcrowding here.

sorry ...misread.
but is 5G a suitable size tank for a betta?

 

[nikkifro8994]

<hr>

<br>if you change the filter it will need cycling again...if i'm right. and someone correct me if i'm wrong..but are you sure your tanks are not overcrowded?<br>

<br><br>I have 2 tanks. A 10 gallon with 4 male guppies and 1 male platy and an empty 5 gallon(no water or anything). no overcrowding here.

sorry ...misread.
but is 5G a suitable size tank for a betta?

Everything I have read on here and elsewhere says that a 5 gallon is great for a betta. Much better than a 1/2 gallon bowl

 

[nikkifro8994]

This filter is WAY too strong for a betta. He wouldn't be able to swim under it without being pushed down. I have another one that has no current, but it's old. I dont know if it is still good. If not, I will buy a new one of the same model. but it is a completely different filter from the 10 gallon. How do I start cycling a tank if I have no mature media or ammonia?

HELP PLEASE!!!