Two Possible Betta Tanks

[Paradise3]

No. It's bottled bacteria again. It's all dead because they have no food source or water flow on a shop shelf so they die off and it's basically like adding water to water when you use them. Ask at Walmart if you can have some mature media from one of their cycled filters and add it to your filter. Then you can add your betta straight away as you have cycled media in your filter.

 

[rikkitiger]

The goldfish came from hospice.

They had been in multiple homes over the years, and she let them live the rest of their years in peace.

I am not going to argue about her fish though. Her set up was fine, but that is her thing. I am giving this aquarium new life.

And i understand they have been.
Ok! Thats a good idea!

I also have a friend who's dad keeps a HUGE 200+ gallon aquarium, freshwater, and i have seen him dump bacteria into his aquarium. Would a bit of that work? I am sure he would let me hve some

 

[ncguppy830]

some filter media from his tank would surley work.

 

[Meeresstille]

 

well i cant really give a summary but message TwoTankAmin and he"ll explain it all.

 
Corrected

 
Also, Meeresstille - You don't need to keep the nitrates so low. As long as it's below 50-80ppm you'll be fine

 

Well, the camps are divided on that one. 
Rikki, Google ideal Nitrate levels and decide for yourself! If you have a tank with live plants they will love to have Nitrates to feed on!

 

[Paradise3]

If you can get some of that mature media from your friends dads tank and put that in your filter you'd be completely skipping the cycle
 
You may get a small spike when you add fish because some of the bacteria may die during transport and they need to spread to your media too but it'll sort itself within a day or two rather than 1-2 months of cycling your tank

 

[Meeresstille]

Some used filter media from the 200 gallon would give you definitely a head start cycling the filter! If you're really lucky it may even be an instant cycle! Make sure though, that the owner of the tank is not dealing with some sort of illness in the tank, or you could infect your fish with it!

 

[rikkitiger]

Thanks so much! i have one problem. I am getting my fish tomorrow, and i dont know if he will be back from hunting by then.

I will definetly try to see if i can get some bacteria from him though. Thank you!
So what exactly do i need to get from him?

And how much for my ten gallon do you think?

 

[Paradise3]

Just ask for about a 2x2inch piece of his filter media(the sponges in the filter) and put it in yours. That will kick start the cycle as from a 200l there will be a lot of bacteria, possibly too much so some may need to die off but it'll not be a problem.
 
If possible try and get the media before the fish.

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

Dont get your fish until you have the media. Its just cruel and Im learning that the hard way. If you cant get the media and you get your fish you have to change the water AT LEAST 1 time a day. 100% water change once a day. Thats alot.
 
Please dont get your fishie yet. Wait until he comes back from hunting. You can get one at a different time. Its walmart, they always have fish.