I'm following the "almost" complete guide to fishless cycle posted on this site by "Eco..." and there are still many questions that I don't know the answers to. I'm new to keeping Betta fish so please pardon my ignorance on the subject. I didn't prepare myself for such a "long" journey, but I think I'm stuck with it!
The instruction said to add pure ammonia to the tank to raise the level to 4 ppm. Well, I don't know how much ammonia to add. I've set up a brand new 10 gallon tank for my one betta yesterday with the filter running. I'm waiting for the heater to arrive as the 25W heater I currently have does not heat up a 10 gallon tank (only found out after I chose the tank size!).
Also, after adding the ammonia to the tank, how long should I wait before doing the test to get accurate reading?
Another point, the article touched about the need to change filter media, if it truly needs a replacement. The article talked about buying a "strip of filter media, and cut it to size and fill it in the filter" - I need a bit more explanation in details on this concept! Does this mean to keep the old filter media, but introducing just the sponge material and somehow stuff it inside the filter along with the old one?
A little background: I kept one betta fish in a 3 gallon with no filter and it's not a cycled tank either. He has fin rot problem for 3 months and I'm trying to provide a better living condition/ environment for him. Thus, the upgrade to 10-gallon tank with fishless cycle and with filter.
Thank you for all your help!
The instruction said to add pure ammonia to the tank to raise the level to 4 ppm. Well, I don't know how much ammonia to add. I've set up a brand new 10 gallon tank for my one betta yesterday with the filter running. I'm waiting for the heater to arrive as the 25W heater I currently have does not heat up a 10 gallon tank (only found out after I chose the tank size!).
Also, after adding the ammonia to the tank, how long should I wait before doing the test to get accurate reading?
Another point, the article touched about the need to change filter media, if it truly needs a replacement. The article talked about buying a "strip of filter media, and cut it to size and fill it in the filter" - I need a bit more explanation in details on this concept! Does this mean to keep the old filter media, but introducing just the sponge material and somehow stuff it inside the filter along with the old one?
A little background: I kept one betta fish in a 3 gallon with no filter and it's not a cycled tank either. He has fin rot problem for 3 months and I'm trying to provide a better living condition/ environment for him. Thus, the upgrade to 10-gallon tank with fishless cycle and with filter.
Thank you for all your help!