Completely random tank questions

[abm]

As of yet I do not have a cycled tank in my home. It's been a "plan" for over a year and I've just never gotten around to it. .

So, my question (actually, a couple of questions I guess):
1. Do you have to buy a certain filter to go in a certain tank? I got some filters in some 1-gallon aquariums I bought last year, but never used them...could these be used in my 2 or 3 gallon tanks? Or do I need to buy a tank and filter apparatus as a set for it to work properly?

2. If I'm just setting up a new tank and preparing to cycle it, can I use water straight from my tap? Since no fish are in the tank, I can't figure out why this would be a problem.

3. When cycling, do you use heaters at the right temp for bettas or just room temp? Do the bacteria care? (I'm guessing they do;))

[twoluvcats]

1. Do you have to buy a certain filter to go in a certain tank? I got some filters in some 1-gallon aquariums I bought last year, but never used them...could these be used in my 2 or 3 gallon tanks? Or do I need to buy a tank and filter apparatus as a set for it to work properly?

depends on the filter...most likley, the answer is yes. Its more that you can't take a filter for a 5 gallon tank and use it on a 55 gallon tank.

2. If I'm just setting up a new tank and preparing to cycle it, can I use water straight from my tap? Since no fish are in the tank, I can't figure out why this would be a problem.

Yes, you can...just dechlor it

3. When cycling, do you use heaters at the right temp for bettas or just room temp? Do the bacteria care? (I'm guessing they do)

The good bacteria propagate faster in warmer temps...so the heat will make it cycle faster. some people even keep the heater up at higher temps while cycling (82+).

[abm]

Excellent:) Just to clarify the answer to my first (rather wordy) question: yes = I can probably use the filters that came with my one-gallon tanks in a 2 or 3 gallon tank since the sizes are pretty close?

Right?

Thanks twoluv:)

[twoluvcats]

yes = I can probably use the filters that came with my one-gallon tanks in a 2 or 3 gallon tank since the sizes are pretty close?

yes

what type of filter is it? whisper, ugf?

[abm]

I think it's a ugf. It looked like a little cheapy thing, which is one reason why I didn't bother going that route when I got the tanks. But, I reasoned, if I'm just experimenting with cycling, it won't really matter too much and no fish will suffer as my learning curve grows

[twoluvcats]

the only reason i would warn you off a UGF is that they are really dirty, since in essence they just use the gravel as a filter...so the level of clean that you are used to, won't be acheived with a UGF. I had one in a 2 gallon hex, and the water ALWAYS looked dirty to me...PLUS you still have to tear down the tank every month or so to clean out the gunk that builds up underneath the plate at the bottom.

But that's just my humble opinion.

[teresa]

Another option for filtering, and my personal favorite, is the Marina Bottom Filter. I use the one that is for up to 10 gal. in each of my 5.5 gal and I use 2 of the same in my 10 gal. tank. it is really cheap, under $5 in Canada and it uses carbon and poly wool in it. I use the Fluval brand to fill it. It is hooked up to a air hose, and if you use a gang valve, the air can be regulated. It is so gentle that my Bettas can, and do the little weirdos lol, lay right on top of the intake and it does not hurt them at all and they love to play in the bubbles. If you want to see pics of the set up just ask, and I will post. I love my new digi camera and any excuse to use it hehehe.

[abm]

If you want to see pics of the set up just ask, and I will post.

Asking
Visual aids are always helpful to me.

Well, I have a feeling that me and my son will be adopting some new friends this weekend so I may get a new filter etc. while we're out. Any reason why I couldn't set up the tank to cycle, keep the bettas in uncycled, unfiltered tanks (just like all the others) and then transfer them when it's ready? Assuming it eventually becomes ready?

[twoluvcats]

Any reason why I couldn't set up the tank to cycle, keep the bettas in uncycled, unfiltered tanks (just like all the others) and then transfer them when it's ready?

yes, this is a great way to do it. That's what I'm doing with my guppy tank now. The guppies that will live in it are currently living in my 29...as soon as the new tank is ready...they'll move over.

[Rachel]

abm said:

Assuming it eventually becomes ready?

Don't worry, it'll eventually become ready! You can speed up the process without any fish in there too.

[abm]

Rachel said:

Don't worry, it'll eventually become ready! You can speed up the process without any fish in there too.

You mean by using one of the products I've heard/read about hereabouts - cycle, biospira, or something like that?
Opinions on these products? Bearing in mind that I'm a total newbie to the cycling process?

[twoluvcats]

bio-spira works, hands down...but its expensive and hard to find sometimes.

when you are starting from scratch, none of the other 'bacteria boosters' really do any good. Cycle can be useful later on for maintaining the bacteria level after a filter change or a massive tank clean.

[twoluvcats]

but also, with the help of additive-free ammonia, you can aid in the production of good bacteria...fishless cycling.

[teresa]

abm said:

Asking
Visual aids are always helpful to me.

Always glad to help

This may be a bit big so I will break it into 2 posts.
this one will be my 2 5.5 gal tanks

This is both tanks...


This is the gang valve haning on one tank


This is one filter...


And this is the other(yes the poly wool needs to be replaced) and you can see the air pump that powers both tanks here.

[abm]

twoluvcats said:

but also, with the help of additive-free ammonia, you can aid in the production of good bacteria...fishless cycling.

Right:) I've been doing some reading on this. Where can you get "pure" ammonia? Thus far I've had no luck. I'm the most experienced fishkeeper among my friends (yes, be afraid...be very afraid ) so no one "locally" can give me any useful advice. This is why I was considering the other products (biospira etc).