JSD

Hi Everyone!

First of all let me say it is super refreshing to come to a site like this and find helpful and passionate people who are here to help others with similar interests. There is so much information here it is a bit overwhelming... I have just spent 5 hours on the site and my questions grow every minute.

I have always wanted an aquarium but have never had the time or right opportunity for one. Now I do and after reading into it a bunch I have decided to start with a single betta. I have gone through a bunch of the info here and other sites and have a few questions I am hoping people can help me out with.

1) Tank - I am looking probably at a 5G, would maybe go up to 10. I have seen that the 6.6G bookshelf seems to be popular with betta owners.. problem is I am in Canada and we don't have Petco. Shipping here would prob cost as much as the tank would. Does anyone know if there is an equivalent tank available in Canada? If not... I would prob be looking at getting a 5G hex style.
OR Should I have any concerns about buying a used tank? Is there a way to safely disinfect a used tank? I've seen a bunch in local thrift shops or should I avoid those?

part b) Are the filters that come with most tank kits good or should I plan on buying a better one right away?

2) Cycling - I understand the theory behind this. I would definitely be doing a fishless cycle. Where I am confused is how to actually do this... my confusion is coming from the fact there seems to be many ways of doing it. Is there a 'best' and easiest way?
Also about how long would it take before I could put my fishy in the tank?

3) Testing the water - Are these kits easy to use and do they come with instructions?

Thats all for now. I am super-excited about getting my first fish and really want to make sure I do it right.

Thanks for any help!
Jon

luna

1. I don't know, but I'd suggest a 5 gallon mini-bow or the 5 gallon corner Eclipse tank over the hex...I've got the hex, and it's more tall than wide (or about equivalent), and it's hard to arrange decor and clean. The filters on the Eclipse tanks, with the bio-wheels, are good though.

2. Everyone will have their own opinion on best and easiest...but, if you can get it, BioSpira (I think that's the stuff) will cycle a tank instantly. You'd need to have a fish ready to put in the tank right away, as the beneficial bacteria would die off without fish waste to consume.

3. Yes and yes. Get the API freshwater master test kit, and just be sure to shake bottle #2 for the nitrAte test THOROUGHLY.

Gilbert

A 5 gallon standard or mini-bow is better than the hex.

the best way to cycle is with SafeStart or Biospira It takes a week at most

I don't know much about the API test kit, I can't find it anywhere.

GOOD LUCK!

nitz

1. I'd say go for the 10 gallon. It's a good size and gives you a bit more room and time to deal with things.

2. I live in Canada too so you're probably not gonna get Bio Spira or Tetra Safe Start up here. Fastest way is to ask a friend with a tank for some filter media (a used filter pad or just part of it, or some gravel). This will seed the tank with some of the beneficial bacteria. Start slow with adding enough ammonia to get you up to about 3ppm and don't add any more until it starts to come down close to 0. When that happens, add enough to get you back up to 3. I know the recipes out there tell you 5 ppm but I had problems with cycling and suggest 3. Now you're gonna see a spike in nitrite and then it'll come down. Just keep adding ammonia as needed to get it to 3ppm. Once ammonia and nitrite read 0 after about 24 hours and you have a nitrate reading, you're cycled!!

3. Luna covered this.

EDIT: Sorry I didn't read the whole question but the others have you covered.

Lucy

HI JSD, welcome to Fish Lore

1) I agree with Luna, I have a frog in a 5g mini bow, I like it alot, although my betta girl is in a 10g.
You can clean a used tank using one part bleach to 19 parts water. Rinse until you can't smell the bleach and OD the water with conditioner.

2) You'll get several different opinions on this question. I've never used Bio-Spira, which I think has been reformulated and it now Called Tetra SafeStart. Here's a link the fish less cycling with ammonia:

Ammonia instructions for a fishless cycle

3) Agree with Luna, the API master kit is highly recommended by several members.

Good luck, Jon and be sure to post pics when you get set up.

Edit: Oops several members typed faster than I did. lol

pamd

Hi Jon! Welcome to Fishlore! It sounds like you're going to be a very successful aquarist and get maximum enjoyment out of the hobby, whether you just have one betta (very satisfying in itself) or eventually wind up with a community tank.

You've already done quite a bit of research and ask very good questions. I think a lot of people impulsively decide they want an aquarium, rush out and buy it with having no clue about the nitrogen cycle, overstocking, what kind of equipment they really need, etc. You're way ahead of the game.

1 - If you decide to go with a ten-gallon, that would allow a bit more flexibility. For example, you could get three pygmy Cory catfish to go with your betta. (Most, but not all, bettas will accept them as tankmates, not that they need fishy "friends." You'd want to introduce the Corys to the tank before the betta if you decide to go this route.)

Marineland also makes a six-gallon Eclipse, so you might add this to your list of options to check. The filters that come with the Eclipse tanks are excellent. The filtration system includes a Bio-Wheel. Probably some filtration systems with the other tanks are as good or nearly as good, but that would depend on the tank.

I'd steer clear of the hex tank for reasons already mentioned, plus several owners have reported problems with reflections, therefore causing their bettas to flare excessively.


2 - I used Bio-Spira and got unexpected results, although most people reported spectacular results with it. I suspect the stuff hadn't been handled properly in transit to the local store where I bought it, as it had to be refrigerated. The Tetra SafeStart does not have to be refrigerated, and I've read equally favorable reviews on it although it's a relatively new product. If you want to try "instant cycling" with SafeStart, you'd probably need to order it online but shipping would not be nearly as cost-prohibitive as Bio-Spira. The status of the two is unclear to me, but I know Tetra's parent company bought out Marineland, makers of Bio-Spira. I think they're phasing out Bio-Spira if they have not already done so. I couldn't find SafeStart about a month ago anywhere, though, but did find Bio-Spira.

In addition to the Bio-Spira experience, I used the fishless cycling with ammonia, following the directions exactly from the link Lucy provided. It works!

However, by far my best experience in cycling a tank was to seed it with used filter media from the tank of a friend who I met here on Fishlore, Martinismommy (Karen). It was for all practical purposes just as fast as the "instant cycle" products and I trusted it much more. I added her used filter media and the betta at the same time, monitored the parameters, and it was amazing how quickly it worked, plus there were no danger-level spikes in ammonia or nitrite. If you know someone with a tank you trust, that's the way to go. By "tank you trust," I mean a long-established tank with healthy fish and no new un-quarantined introductions.

3) Like most people here, I highly recommend the API master test kit. Don't get fooled by those easier-to-use and less expensive strips. They're notoriously inaccurate. Luna was right to suggest shaking the #2 nitrate test bottle vigorously. Their instructions say to shake that bottle 30 seconds, but really, you have to shake it vigourously for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes, including knocking it on a countertop a few times during that time. That's my only complaint about the test kit, and I think I lost two adorable Corys because of high nitrates that weren't showing up simply because I followed their directions exactly and didn't know better. Otherwise, the directions are very good and they provide these neat little "cheat cards" for each test.

I'm excited for you getting your first fish, too!

JSD

Thanks everyone!


I will be spending tomorrow shopping around for tanks... will be staying away from the hex tanks based on your advise. Will see if I can find anything interesting and also what the local shops carry and check into the Marineland and Mini-bow tanks.
Unfortunately I don't know anyone who has a freshwater tank. I will have to research this a bit more. It may take a bit of work but my main concern is providing the best environment I can for my fish.
I will also definitely be looking for an API test kit.

Thanks so much for the info! I can't wait to post some pics when I bring home my first betta

Lucy

Fish Lore is addicting, isn't it? You're to be commended for doing your research first and starting off on the right foot.

Allie

If you have a Pets Unlimited...be very choosy with the betta there. Our PUs stock of betta is very horrible.

Red1313

I don't know what stores you have in your area but I find that Pet-Smart and Petcetera usually have a lot of kits in stock.
Good luck!!!

welshalien

I have purchased SafeStart on line from this place:

http://www.paradisepetshop.net/en/tetra-safestart.html

They ship internationally but you'd have to check to see if that includes Canada.

Kelly

Red1313

I just ordered Tetra safe start from aquariumplants.com. The site didn't say that they didn't deliver but I haven't recieved it yet they're still processing my request apparently. You could try and see if you can get it through them.

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore and best of luck with your new Betta.

Red1313

Hmmm... I just re-read this thread and noticed that no one really said anything about the used tanks. If you wash them out really well with a solution of 1:19 bleach to water you should be ok. I usually use Vinager, lots of vinager lol. Kits are nice b/c they come with everything however if you can find a used tank that comes with a hood I'd say go for it. (Provided that it holds water) I'm a gradge sale junkie, two of my tanks were bought used and I love them too bits. Good luck!