Who Gives A Fish Forums

Just got a 10-gallon tank and wanna make sure I'm doing this right. Planning to keep a Betta and some Neon Tetras. Got a sponge filter, gravel substrate, and a basic LED light. Any tips on cycling or stocking?

Cycling's key. Test your water daily for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate. Betta and Tetras can work, but Tetras need a school of 6+. Watch the Betta's aggression. Sponge filter's solid, but add some live plants like Anubias for stability.

I'd skip the Tetras in a 10-gallon. They're active and need more space. Betta with shrimp or snails is safer. Also, cycle with fish food or pure ammonia, not fish. Less stress for everyone.

GuppyAce wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 12:58 pm I'd skip the Tetras in a 10-gallon. They're active and need more space. Betta with shrimp or snails is safer. Also, cycle with fish food or pure ammonia, not fish. Less stress for everyone.

Agreed. Shrimp are fun to watch and help clean up. Just make sure the Betta doesn't see them as snacks.

Yo, ditch the gravel. Sand's better for plants and easier to clean. Get some Java Fern or Crypts, they're low-maintenance. And yeah, cycle that tank proper or you're gonna have a bad time.

Betta's gonna be chill if you give him hiding spots. Use driftwood or caves. Also, keep the water warm, around 78-80°F. And don't overfeed, that's a rookie mistake. Tiny portions, twice a day.

fin_chaser wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 2:42 pm Betta's gonna be chill if you give him hiding spots. Use driftwood or caves. Also, keep the water warm, around 78-80°F. And don't overfeed, that's a rookie mistake. Tiny portions, twice a day.

Exactly! Overfeeding messes up water quality fast. And Bettas love floating plants like Frogbit. Helps them feel secure.

For cycling, use Seachem Stability or Tetra SafeStart. They speed things up. And test your tap water first—some places have high nitrates or chloramine. If so, you'll need a better conditioner like Prime.

Thanks, everyone! Gonna switch to sand and add more plants. Appreciate the advice on cycling and stocking. I'll post updates once it's all set up.