Storage tote as temp tank?

I got the idea from several YouTube's who have indoor goldfish ponds. My 10 galloon experienced a ridiculous bacteria bloom because I didn't finish cycling before adding a few mollies. The only other container I have is s 1 gallon bowl that is home to my single surviving molly fry.

The way I plan to do this, is it correct? Fill the clean tub with 6ish inches of tank water. Since its summer here I don't hardly need my heater because the water temp stays between 76 and 80 on it's own. But I only have 1 filter. Will my fish be ok without a filter until I recycle the tank? I only set up the aquarium a week ago so I am not too upset about "starting over".

The petsmart employee didn't seem to know anything about fish. She sold me 3 male mollies and 2 Apple snails. Except she had the snails of unknown sex in the same bag and they were mating during acclimating. Then after the fish were released into the aquarium, 1 of them gave birth! After doing lots of research I determined that they sold me 3 female mollies instead of male. When I called them about it they were like "well sometimes it's hard to tell their sex, is there anything else I can help you with?"

So you can see that I'm only figuring things out by asking the right people!!!

I also saw a diy filter using a plastic bottle, media, air pump and hose, sponge, plant... I figured it would be ok for the temporary home until I properly clean and cycle the 10 gallon.

I also plan to get 2 more aquariums, another 10 gallon and a 30 gallon.

So will my make shift tank work out for a couple weeks? I plan to get a 20-40 liter clear tote and possibly just use it as a holding tank. But I want to make sure that I'm taking proper steps to care for our new fish family!

The advice I was given by petsmart was basically, when setting up new aquariums you need to let the water sit for a couple of days and reach the proper temp before adding fish. Well I use a thermometer when filling the tank and I used conditioner. Petsmart says 3 days, others say 2 or more weeks?? So I need to get started asap because it will take time either way.

Oh I also have 2 cats, if I close the tote lid will the fish suffocate? I don't want to deprive them or accidentally kill them should I create holes in the lid?

 

Yes you should put holes in the lid unless you're running an air line into the tank.

However, I would like to suggest that the reason you had a bloom in your 10 gallon is not because you hadn't finished cycling it but because the bioload of mollies is far too large for that size tank.

 

Yes you should put holes in the lid unless you're running an air line into the tank.

However, I would like to suggest that the reason you had a bloom in your 10 gallon is not because you hadn't finished cycling it but because the bioload of mollies is far too large for that size tank.

It started getting cloudy before I added the mollies, the betta was in for 1 day before getting cloudy. But then got worse after adding mollies. I'm currently doing 3 gallon water changes every other day to clear it up.

The mollies will eventually go in the 30 gallon and the betta will have his 10 gallon to himself again.

 

Yes you should put holes in the lid unless you're running an air line into the tank.

However, I would like to suggest that the reason you had a bloom in your 10 gallon is not because you hadn't finished cycling it but because the bioload of mollies is far too large for that size tank.

Hmm so should I just keep doing what I'm doing? Sucking up poop until the 30 gallon is prepared?

The water changes are done with treated water that I stock in gallon jugs in the cabinet.

This is my first aquarium and I want to enjoy this hobby for years to come

 

Yes Frequent water changes with treated water and keep sucking up that poop! That will definitely help.

This is an enjoyable hobby, hope you stay with us for years to come