I need help... ASAP

I have a book by David E. Boruchowitz called the simple guide to freshwater aquariums
http://www.petworldshop.com/tfh/the-simple-guide-freshwater-aquariums.php
the-simple-guide-freshwater-aquariums.jpg


I have found that this book is well worth the investment for any hobbyist
It explains everything in an interesting and captivating manner (If I could write like him I'd be aceing my writing class)

As for the betts you may have picked out an old one or one of weak stock
Most breeders sell off their "less than perfect bettas" after they grow out their fins
That there is already a decent chunk of their lifespan and considering the pressures of pre purchase life this betta if yours may just be glad to end his short life in comfort

Sorry if I seem less than optimistic but this is part of the hobby all of us must deal with
 
well most people prefer to cycle a tank without fish because it can be dangerous for the fish to survive... basically cycling a tank means A (for ammonia) N (for nitrIte) and NA (for nitrAte)
your tank will produce bacteria that take A and turn it into N... your tank will then produce a 2nd bacteria that takes N and turns it into NA which is not as harmful for fish in low levels, such as 20 ppm or below.

so once you have a reading of ammonia once the ammonia starts going down eventually you will start seeing NitrItes, once the NitrItes are processed by the bacteria it will turn into less harmful NitrAte which should lower your NitrIte levels... once you get Ammonia and NitrIte to 0 within having the present in less than 24 hours you are about done with your cycle and would want to do a water change to bring down your nitrAtes under 20 ppm

but to reduce these levels while having a fish you must do water changes accordingly to get the levels to 0 and 0 for the fishes safety and add a water conditoner such as PRIME with every water change for the ammount listed on the bottle

hope this helps
 
Get an API Master liquid test kit ASAP to test your water quality every day. You probably do have ammonia at present, possibly nitrite, but maybe not yet on the nitrite. Read the sticky at the top of the Newbie forum about the Nitrogen Cycle of the tank.

Do an 80% water change right away, if you haven't already, and use Prime, by Seachem, as NeverFadeAway86 mentioned. If you don't have Prime, get some tomorrow if possible.

I prefer a fishless cycle, but since you already have him it's not necessary to move the Betta to another tank, just make sure his water has 0pm ammonia and 0ppm nitrite while the tank is cycling, even if that means big water changes every single day.

Having some established filter media or decor from an established tank can help to seed your tank, but it will still take time for the beneficial bacteria you need to become established in sufficient quantities in your filter media, gravel, plants, decor and glass walls of the tank.

If you don't get the test kit, you will absolutely need to do daily huge water changes to make sure your fish is not being exposed to dectectable levels of ammonia, and once nitrite appears in the tank, as well.

Using Prime will be a lifesaver.
 
ok take a deep breath...let it out...now your betta will be fine in the 10 gallon tank. you will need to do a "fish in cycle" If yoou have a friend that has a tank you can hang some gravel in a piece of panty hose and innoculate your tank that way with benificial bacteria- the bacteria that changes ammonia to nitrite and nitrite into nitrate. If you don't have someone to get some from it's still ok. You get a test kit, the API master freshwater test kit is good. And some water conditioner, Prime, or Amquel etc, that takes care of ammonia, and chlorine and chloramines follow the directions to treat the water you change. If you have a reading for ammonia or nitrites you do a water change, 10-20% with treated water, and you need to test your water every day until you see nitrates a level of 10-20 ppm(parts per million) is an ok reading, the way you get lower nitate readings is to do a water change.
It takes longer to do a fish in cycle, but it can be done safely with a little work on your part.
linda
 
Some good reading material:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?84598-Freshwater-cycling

It may be a little over whelming at first but if you follow the advice here you will be set for future success.

Just remember:

1) Get a liquid test kit
2) Perform a water change any time you get a reading of ammonia or nitrite
3) Do not add anything new to the tank at this time
 
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