Fresh Start

My betta fish passed away today. He was my first fish and I learned a lot about the fish hobby for the 2 years I had him. He started in a 2.5 gallon tank with no heater, and ended up in a 10 gallon heated/filtered tank/cycled tank. Still I believe there was some things I could improve on. When I got him I knew nothing about the cycle and had no test kit. This caused many complications with fin rot and stress in the early part of his life. This time I want to do a fishless cycle and make sure the water conditions are pristine. I want to get a fresh start and do everything better this time. I’d like to know what you guys suggest: HOB filter or sponge filter for a betta. Secondly, a good heater I can set the temperature on for a 10 gallon. Thirdly, a powerful light for the plants. The one that came with my tank wasn’t very powerful and my plants grew very slowly.

 

Sponge filter all the way! And I have a Beamswork DA FSPEC that grows my plants (and algae... I need to cut my light time down) wonderfully

 

I 2nd the sponge filter! Can't help with light, as I haven't dabbled in the art of live aquatic plants yet. What did old fish die of? Does tank really need to be cycled again?(assuming that it was before)

 

I don’t know why he died, he’s been lethargic for the past week that’s all that was out of the normal. I know recycling may seem unnecessary but I want to completely restart as if it was a new tank.

 

I don’t know why he died, he’s been lethargic for the past week that’s all that was out of the normal. I know recycling may seem unnecessary but I want to completely restart as if it was a new tank.

Understood.