instant Cycle

**Gogi** · 10-05-2012, 04:12 PM

I am setting up a divided 10 gallon tank tonight. This tank will house 2 bettas. It will be planted and heated. I just have a couple of question I wanted to run by the AC and get your feedback.

My main question is concernig the instant cycle. I will be using two AquaClear 20. One on each size. These filters have been running on my other tanks for about 5 months now. I am also going to use 2 pieces of driftwood that i have kep in my 30 for about 2 months. I am very confident that i will have a well established BB colony in the tank.

My question is which is better to use:
A. old tank water
B. 50/50 old tank water/new clean prime treated tap water
C. 100% prime treated tap water

Will two 50 watts heater, one in each side, be too much for the tank?

**Honey Badger 1** · 10-05-2012, 04:14 PM

Use 100% fresh water. The heaters should be fine, betta's like the water on the warm side anyway, I think the low 80's but you will have to check my numbers there.

**Goes to 11!** · 10-05-2012, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by mommy1

Use 100% fresh water.

+1 ...............

**Lady Hobbs** · 10-05-2012, 05:06 PM

No such a thing as an instant cycle unless the filters have been on other tanks and are cycled. The filters is where the cycle is, not the water.

**Goes to 11!** · 10-05-2012, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by Gogi

Will two 50 watts heater, one in each side, be too much for the tank?

No, The heaters will only run as often as it takes to keep your tank at the set temp. Having two means that they will not be working as hard or as often. They might take up some room though and having two filters means you will have plenty of flow [I would think] which is key to even heat dispersion . . . IMO you could get away with one but it's nbd either way.

**Gogi** · 10-05-2012, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by Lady Hobbs

No such a thing as an instant cycle unless the filters have been on other tanks and are cycled. The filters is where the cycle is, not the water.

Filters have been running on my other tanks for 5 months. Oh yea. I took your advice on multiple filters a long time ago.

**Gogi** · 10-05-2012, 05:33 PM

Thanks everyone.

I will post pics of tank and fish later tonight if everything goes as planned.

I will be using 100% fresh clean water all the way.

**Gogi** · 10-05-2012, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by 850R

. . . IMO you could get away with one but it's nbd either way.

The reason I was thinking of 2 heaters is that I might be using a glass divider covered by plants on both sides. It all depends on what I find @ the LFS. Dont feel like DIY divider lol.

**fishmommie** · 10-06-2012, 02:19 AM

Originally Posted by Gogi

Thanks everyone.

I will post pics of tank and fish later tonight if everything goes as planned.

I will be using 100% fresh clean water all the way.

Just don't forget to condition the water

**Gogi** · 10-08-2012, 05:53 PM

Thanks for the help.

Here is the finished tank.

It is divided with a mesh dividerso the flow is good but not strong enough to bother the plakats.

I ended up using one 50 watt heater like 850R suggested.

We are having a little crisis right now with the female betta. I wasnt able to put the heater in on Friday and of course my sister left the window open over night on Saturday. The water was so cold on Sunday when i went to install the heater. I found the poor girl laying on the substrate. This morning she still a bit lethargic but breathing alot better. Hopefully she will recover soon.