Who Gives A Fish Forums

I'm getting back into fish keeping and setting up a new tank. I'd love to hear your thoughts on my setup and if it seems suitable for what I'm planning to keep in it.

My tank is a 10-gallon Marineland kit with a Penguin 75 bio-wheel power filter and a 50-watt heater. It also came with a lid that has an LED light that can be white or blue. I've modified the filter a bit by removing the carbon filter cartridge and adding some Aquaclear foam and Bio Max on top. I left the bio-wheel in place, though. I also added a sponge baffle to reduce the current.

I'm planning to keep a Betta in this tank, so I'm being cautious about the current. I've got the heater on, trying to get the tank to 80 degrees, but it's only been on for about 2 hours, so I've got some time to adjust. The decor includes gravel, a small piece of driftwood with no sharp edges, two small terracotta pots, some fake mossy rocks, and 8 silk plants that provide plenty of shade and hiding spots.

I've rinsed everything thoroughly before adding it to the tank. I'm wondering if this setup sounds okay for a happy, healthy Betta.

Please keep in mind that the tank isn't cycled yet, and I won't be getting a Betta until it is. I'm trying the fish food method to cycle the tank, but I also have some Dr. Tim's ammonia chloride on the way as a backup. My current water parameters are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 0 nitrates, and a pH of around 7 or 7.2. I've added some Prime and Stability to the tank as well.

I've got a variety of food for my future Betta, including Omega One Betta buffet, Bug Bites tropical, frozen bloodworms, and brine shrimp. I'm considering adding an Indian Almond leaf for its antibacterial properties – is that a good idea? I also have some Marimo Moss Balls that I'm quarantining in a glass of tank water, but I'm not sure if I need to do anything else to quarantine them.

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I've included a picture of the tank to show you how it's set up – do you think it's too crowded?

Your setup is looking pretty sweet, I love the decor you've got going on in there. I think it's great you're thinking ahead and trying to create a happy environment for your future Betta buddy. One thing I'd like to suggest, though, is considering a different method for cycling your tank - using ammonia can be a lot more reliable than relying on fish food, but I know it can be tough to get your hands on in some places. Either way, it's awesome that you're taking the time to get everything just right before bringing home your new friend.

I think your tank looks perfect, not too crowded at all - bettas actually love having lots of places to hide and explore. Adding the almond leaves is a great idea, I've heard they have some really nice benefits for the tank. As for the moss balls, I wouldn't worry too much about quarantining them, just keep an eye out for any pest snails that might have hitched a ride - they're not a big deal, and can actually be helpful in cleaning up any leftover food. I agree with starluna about using ammonia for cycling, it's definitely the way to go if you can get your hands on some, but if you're stuck using fish food, I'd recommend putting it in a mesh bag or letting it break down in a bucket of water before adding it to the tank, just to avoid having to clean up a bunch of old food later.

Thanks so much for the replies, I really appreciate the advice. I'll definitely keep an eye on the moss for a few days and see how it does - it did arrive on a pretty chilly day, so it's looking a bit peaked right now.

I've ordered some ammonia specifically for fish tanks, so fingers crossed it'll ship here - I've been having a tough time finding it in stores, and the only stuff I could find is definitely not safe for my tank. I've heard the fish food method can be a bit tricky, but I'm hoping it'll work out since I don't want to risk adding live fish before the tank is cycled.

Thanks again for your help, it's great to have a place to chat about all this - my husband thinks I'm getting a bit carried away with the whole fish thing, but I'm just excited to get everything set up for my new buddy.

I think your tank setup looks great, and with a bit more decor, it'll be perfect for your Betta. Considering adding some live plants would really help with the cycling process and creating a more fish-friendly environment - it's a great way to promote beneficial bacteria growth and keep the water clean.

I noticed that if you test for ammonia after dechlorinating, you might find some in the water. That's because dechlorinators convert chloramine into ammonia. Another way to get an ammonia source is by putting a small piece of cooked, non-oily fish into the tank and letting it break down.

Your tank looks great, by the way. I think I'd move the filter to one end, so the flow goes across the length of the tank, rather than just circulating in the middle. It might also be a good idea to put the heater next to the filter, so the heated water gets carried by the flow.

I've had some experience with moss balls, and from what I've seen, once they turn light green or brown, they're usually dead and can't be revived. I'm guessing the seller might have stacked them too closely, so some parts didn't get enough light. You might need to trim off the dead bits - they don't seem to rot, even after years.

I actually have a perfect, round moss ball that I gave to my sister, and she's had it on a window sill in indirect light for years, just sitting in a jar. It's still a lush green, so they can be pretty hardy.

Given my experience, I'd advise against attempting to cycle this tank, especially by adding ammonia. Live plants, once they're thriving, will quickly absorb any ammonia produced by a single Betta. Adding ammonia only complicates things and risks harming your plants.

When it comes to the heater, I always adjust the tap water to the desired temperature when filling the tank, then add the heater. If your heater doesn't have specific temperature settings, turn the knob until the indicator light comes on. Monitor the heater and temperature for a few days to find the right setting.

Heaters aren't designed to heat cold water from scratch; this can cause them to malfunction. It's best to keep the room temperature within 10 degrees F of your desired tank temperature to avoid overworking the heater.

I really appreciate all the advice and help - it means a lot. I've been thinking about live plants, but my local pet stores didn't have any healthy options, so maybe I'll add some later. For now, I think I'll have to use ammonia since the fish food method didn't work out. I've got some ammonia arriving tomorrow, so we'll see how that goes.

My heater's been doing its job, getting the water to 80 and holding steady at 80.2 for the past few days. It started in the 70s, so I don't think it's had to work too hard to get to the right temperature. I've got a few moss balls, but I don't think they'll be enough to help with the cycling process. Fingers crossed that everything will work out okay.

I'd be cautious with ammonia around your moss, it can be toxic to them. Considering bacterial supplements might be a better approach, something like Tetra's SafeStart or Seachem's Stability could work well. I've personally had good experiences with Stability, it's worth looking into.

I appreciate the heads up about the ammonia and moss. I think I'll remove them until the cycle is complete to be on the safe side.

I'm already using Stability, but I have to admit I'm a bit obsessive about watching the cycle through to the end. I know it's probably overkill for a single Betta, but it's kind of fun to experiment and see the process unfold. My chemical test kit is giving me pretty consistent readings, with the pH holding steady at 7.0. Everything else is still reading zero, so I'm just waiting patiently for some movement on that front.