[COLOR=red]Hello, We had to replace our ProQuatics hanging filter for our 10gallon heated tank where 2 Bettas were housed, we lost one a few days ago, sadly.. we have a plastic divider and the 2 lived nicely for 2yrs..

I read a post at a Betta webpage about new filters cycling??? We had no choice but to replace our broken filter, so if this is true, what can we do to help our Betta be healthy and not affected by this cycling process?

Wouldn't the gravel at the bottom hold the good bacteria and since the water is the same, isnt' the tank already cycled ?

any tips or ideas on this subject? We would like to get a tankmate for our Betta, Marco since he lost his friend, but don't want to bring a new one into a tank that is not cycled properly??

we bought an AquaClear hanging filter, has charcoal, white rock and sponge filter system, the ProQuatics had charcoal packs as filter medium, and the white cottony filter you replace.

we also see snails, have been removing them, used the snail be gone sparingly, what effect do snails have on Bettas if anything?

we had plants in the tank for awhile, didn't see snails until recently?? odd.

Lynn

Hi

Its probably best to cycle your filter outside of your betta tank. You can use a clean bucket and fish food to cycle it. Also, when you do waterchanges in your ten gall, you can add the dirty water to the cycling bucket. Your tank is not cycled. Gravel will hold some bio bugs, but the bugs need O2 and they don't get that at the bottom of the tank. Snails shouldn't be too much of a problem unless they are carrying disease. What kind of tankmates do you want to get your betta?

[COLOR=blue]Hi Kissy, how about using the products can't think of the name, but one was considered safe and okay, we used it with our 55gallon tank with our fancy goldfish.... I'd hate to take the filter out and deal with the bucket, we have cats too, it would be more of a hassle... I didn't realize a new filter is a new problem! darn it.... Lynn

Bio spira? Cycle? Bio-zyme? If it worked with your 55 gallon yah its definately worth a shot. Cycling products work better with biowheels from what I hear, so make sure you test the water params frequently to make sure everything is going smoothly. Once you know your filter is cycled and stable, you can get some more fish. Be very careful with what you choose tho, only a few fish/crustaceans/invertabrates can get along nicely with bettas. Some bettas will never co-exist peacefully with others. Remember to quarentine any new additions too. You don't want to introduce any deadly diseases to your little betta!

What if you used water from the cycled tank for a couple days? Would that help it cycle?