new betta owner wanting to upgrade

[ChoclateBetta]

Or compromise and use sponge filters.

[resa]

Originally Posted by ChoclateBetta

Or compromise and use sponge filters.

sponge filters? i've never heard of those....are they better than electric filters? and are they cheaper? sorry i have alot of questions i just wanna make sure i do it right....like whats the pros and cons of the 2 different types of filters...or is there a site i can go to, to find out? thanks for everyones help :) and zeek still hasn't eaten :( i dont know how he's staying alive without eating....unless i just dont see it however i do see the food still floating at the top and some on bottom after ive fed him...

[ChoclateBetta]

I am pretty sure HOB are better.

[asukabetta]

HOB means hang on back filter in case you are a little confused.

I just wanted to say that if you get a filter you should look up these threads about cycling which is the main job of the filter: to become a home for ammonia eating bacteria. That help you keep your tank cleaner, and maintain water quality you will do less water changes, but they are needed nonetheless.

A beginner's guide to cycling:it will help understand what is cycling and the methods

http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=47838

Step to step cycling by Olympia:

http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=111960

Betta specific cycling by OldFishLady
http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=107771

For cycling you will need a water testing kit as well.

[ChoclateBetta]

Not just ammonia eating Nitrite eating Bacteria.

[resa]

thats alot to read.....and unfortunately my cognitive skills are slower since i now i have brain damage...anyways when i finally get a 10 gallon tank from petsmart or walmart (preferrably petsmart) i'll speak to the associates and they can direct me to which filters and decor i'll need i'm sure... now i do have one more question.... as far as plants (i'll mostly use plastic) which is the bettas most favorite one live plant to have? thats inexpensive too :) i'm sure more questions from me will arise as i read here and there about the betta fish :)

[ChoclateBetta]

How do you have brain damage?

[resa]

ok was reading on http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/b...60/#post445950 and see the test kit mentioned so i looked up freshwater test kit on petsmart and this came up. http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...AvailInUS%2FNo and i chose the 'mini test kit' ..... is that good enough for a 10 gallon?

[resa]

Originally Posted by ChoclateBetta

How do you have brain damage?

i dont know what happened to me i cant remember it AT ALL.... it happened in oct of last year and the bf i was with at the time tried to convince the hospital i jumped out the vehicle however they knew it was a lie bc i didnt have road rash or whatever its called .....resulting in me to have 8 skull fractures 2 blk eyes and a broken nose...i was not suppose to live overnight the hospital told my whole family that........welll............HERE I AM :) a miracle in progress.....

[resa]

ok on that mini kit ...now that i'm actually reading it ...it has different mini kits its referring to.... please visit the site i provided for those kits and please inform me which one i actually have to have. if this is not something that is a must please inform me..... thank you