My dilemma- do I just have to wait?

[Rava]

So I have a 5 gallon tank with no fish in it currently. I bought and added a Whisper filter the other day (it's been in there maybe a week now, give or take a couple days). The tank's had the same water in it since my female betta died one month ago.

I need a test kit to determine where I am in my fishless cycle, but I don't want to put out the money for one before Christmas (as I still have gifts to buy for other people). But I don't really want to wait until after Christmas to put fish in either. :-/ I'm such a cheapskate, I know, but I have a really hard time buying things for myself (even though this is technically for the fish!).

I'm tempted to just put one fishie in there to hold me over and do a fishie cycle, but my female betta died after not eating for 5 weeks from some strange illness... She made it through the fishy cycle, and was doing fine, but she got sick while I was on vacation, and I don't know if her shortened lifespan had anything to do with going through that. And I don't want to hurt a fish for my own selfish wants, either, it's just hard looking at an empty tank. :-/ You all probably know the feeling!

Any suggestions or advice? :-/

 

[Swimfins]

Take a water sample to your Lfs, tell them you can't buy fish till you know if the water is ok. I'm sure they'll help you out. Go during a weekday morning, or at a time they're not busy.

 

[Rava]

Ooooh I forgot to mention that! Petsmart does free water testing, too! When would I need to do that?

 

[Milky]

I have to agree with swimfins on this one
usually the fishie stores will do a free water
sample for ya I hate looking at an empty
fish tank 2 especially when its all set up and
everything, hey if your buying christmas
presents for people then your definaly not a
cheapscate ... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
I usually dont buy gifts for anyone Im like the
grinch who stole christmas I just hate going to
the mall during the shopping season its like
hard work finding a parking spot looking for gifts
bah humbug ;]]]

 

[heat]

Just trying to figure out if it's the same water in the tank that the betta was in? No water changes nor cleaning out of the tank?

If so I'd suggest you tear the tank apart and clean it fully since you had an unknown disease. Then start again with a fishless cycle. Tests aren't all that expensive, less accurate=less expensive though (usually). Better safe than sorry!

 

[legbamel]

I would suggest not putting any one else in there until you are sure you got rid of whatever knocked out your betta, and testing from the LFS isn't going to help you there. Also, unless you've been feeding your empty tank (either with ammonia or with fish food) your bacteria are already gone and you're at square one anyway. I'd feel safer tearing it all apart and making certain everything is clean and clear either with a nice bleach dip (with plenty of dechlor after) or boiling the parts you can fit in a pot. Good luck!