I'd like some more opinions

[Marinemom]

I would ask about purchasing the betta now and then picking him up after the cycle. Once you find the betta you want and then for some reason when you go back it is not there it is seemingly hard to find another one that you like.As far as the cardinals are concerned, for sure wait until the tank is cycled since they will not fare well during a cycle. Even after the tank is cycled, make sure to make any fish additions very slowly especially with delicate fish like cardinals so you do not get an ammonia or nitrite spike. Of course check your water after adding the fish and at the first sign of a spike in ammonia or nitrite be ready to do a water change ASAP if necessary.Also cardinals should be readily available so you can just wait until the cycle is over before buying them.

Marinemom

 

[Berserkr]

That's a good question. I don't know if they'd allow that or not, I'll have to find out. I don't want to add the betta now even if he may make it through the cycle. For the obvious potential health reasons, and because I'm worried he may not take well to "new" tank mates even if he was previously used to having them, having developed the whole tank as his turf. And I'm sure they'll have more cardinals by the time the cycle's over. They had other bettas that were beautiful, several blue/black ones and one that looked more natural than the others which, though he wasn't as vivid, I thought he looked great. My main concern is ending up with a betta that wants to slaughter my tetras.