ozark06

I am in the process of setting up a 10gal tank for my daughter. We have a well, so chlorine/chlorine shouldn't be a problem. I have been reading about the cycling process. I will try it fishless. We can you buy ammonia? What type of filter will require the least maintenance? Undergravel, canister, other? We will eventually have a female beta(Mary), a ghost mystery snail(Shelly) and an additional small fish or two in the 10 gal tank. Mary and Shelly are now in a 2.5 Minibow tank. There is no rush to setup the 10gal tank so I want to take time and so it right so our current fish survive. Back to our well water, what type of conditioner, if any, should I add to the well water for water changes? Now I just let it sit out for a few days. Any help would be great. thx

Butterfly

If there is no chlorine or chlorimines in it you should be able to use it from the tap.
usually pure ammonia(no perfumes) can be bought at the grocer/hardware stores.
for that size tank I would recommend a hang on hte back(HOB) filter. Aquaclear is an excellent filter and easy to maintain.
Most Bettas don't apprecate other fish swimming in their space so when you add more fish with Mary I would suggest some bottom fish such as 3 corys (they do better in groups of three or more) or four or five otocinclus(they also do better in threes or more) or one bristlenose(gets 5-6 inches)
Some people have good luck with more than one female betta together but most wind up with mass murder and bloody carnage (check out some of the posts in the betta forum) Hope that helps
Carol