Getting New Tank For First Betta

[flip]

im getting a 10 gal tank and want to set it up for my first betta! i currently have a 30 gal tropical tank that runs on a whisper system that uses two disposeable filters. is there a way that i can use one of the filters to cycle my new tank with? what filter would be the best for my new tank? im only going to have one betta to start, but im going to divide the tank before getting any fish as i would like to have two eventually. any advice will be greatly appreciated. even advice that has nothing to do with the cycling! i want to make sure that my betta is as well taken care of as my other fish! and my kids!!!

oh yeah i have gravel for the substrate. what kind of fake plants would be best? does it matter if the cave is a store bought decoration? sorry so many questions, i just want it to be perfect!

 

[Lacuna]

Hello and welcome to the beautiful world of bettas 10 gallons is a good size for a betta, or divided in two for two bettas will work well also. I don't know much about different filter brands but you want one that doesn't have too much flow as they don't like strong currents. If you use mature filter media from an existing tank and add to your new filter then you will be cycled instantly. You would need to add the fish straight away though or the good bacteria would die off.

Fake plants are not generally a good idea for bettas as they tear their fins so easily, but if you got some good quality silk ones they should be alright. I think store bought decorations are okay, but again as long as they don't have any sharp edges or anything that could tear the fins. Some people run a pair of tights over the ornament and if they snag then they're not suitable. I think my betta recently tore his tail on a leaf so that's how delicate they are.

I'm sure people with more experience will be along to advise, but there is a useful sticky on the forum as well with basic care advice.

 

[GuppyGoddess]

My 10-gallon has a Tetra Whisper filter made for a 5-10 gallon tank and the flow is too strong for my betta. To correct that, I've modified it by adding extra foam around the out take to slow down the flow. Also, be sure to wrap foam around the intake so that fins do not get sucked up into the filter.

Oh, and I have the same Whisper for my two 5.5 gallons and the flow is very strong for those tanks too. Even for my guppy tank the flow is slowed with foam.

My betta tanks all have silk plants. Only my guppy/pygmy tank has real plants.

 

[flip]

how can i use the disposable filter from my existing tank for a new one? the filters are the large size. could i take the pouch apart and just use the spongey part of it?

oh and thank you for the warm welcome! i cannot wait to get the tank and set it up. im excited

 

[flip]

here is what im going to use for substrate. will it be ok?
http/i29.photobucket.com/albums/c263/flip79761/DSC01461.jpg
http/i29.photobucket.com/albums/c263/flip79761/DSC01460.jpg

 

[ellena]

Hi and welcome
The substrate isn't importatn for a betta, so what you have will be fine.
When you say disposable filters, what are they? If it gets replaced regularly, it won't have time to accumulate the good bacteria you need for a tank to be cyccled so maybe won't help much with the new tank?
You can make caves from coconuts as long as all edges are sanded really amooth. Silk plants or live are best as plastic ones can easily rip their fins.

 

[flip]

they are disposable filters for a whisper filter.
http/www.petco.com/product/13867/Tetra-Whisper-Bio-Bag-Disposable-Filter-Cartridges.aspx

edit: my filter takes two of these at a time so i replace them one at a time so i dont loose all the good bacteria. can i just use the old one i replace somehow?

 

[GuppyGoddess]

they are disposable filters for a whisper filter.
http/www.petco.com/product/13867/Tetra-Whisper-Bio-Bag-Disposable-Filter-Cartridges.aspx

edit: my filter takes two of these at a time so i replace them one at a time so i dont loose all the good bacteria. can i just use the old one i replace somehow?

Isn't that part of the filter the activated charcoal part? How much good bacteria does that hold? I thought it was the foam insert that comes along with that which catches the good bacteria. Hopefully someone can explain this to me. I have my filter (all the empty parts) stuffed with foam to catch as much beneficial bacteria as possible.

 

[flip]

it is stuffed with charcoal. but the mesh/spongy bag that holds the charcoal is what holds the bacteria. at least thats what i thought.

 

[flip]

what would be the best filter to get for a ten gal tank? im in the US. do betta need airstones?

 

[Knox213]

Bettas have an amazing lung and actuly breathe from the surface.

So nope

airstones arnt needed to be honest..

Edit : as for a filter... Try fin one witch also lets out oxygen to be on the safe side. if you do. you could buy some cherry shrimp for your betta!

 

[flip]

ok thanks! are cherry shrimp hard to care for?

 

[Knox213]

ok thanks! are cherry shrimp hard to care for?

Not hard at all... from what i heard.

Sorry for the late reply aswel.

 

[flip]

ill have to try them! dont worry bout the late reply, i have the same problem, have to check here when i can but the kids keep me busy!

 

[flip]

does the aquaclear 20 have the ceramic media? i saw that it has the foam but didnt see the ceramic. is that a good filter for what i need?