Topic: 10 gallon no filter

[niome]

I have two of the boys in divided 10 gallon no filter it's getting cycled in the 20, I have a heater but don't know if I should turn it on because it might cause hotspot? How often should I change the water while I wait for the filter?

[ZenMeBaby]

I kept a Betta in an uncycled, unfiltered 10 before.  I did alternating 50% and 100% changes...5-% one week, 100% the next.  For the 50s I just took water off the top, for the 100s I gravel vacuumed all the water out and refilled it.

[Squeek]

Thats right.
A filter fir a divided 10 is not really needed, just as long as you keep up with your water changes. I would probably go with smaller frequent waster changes of like 40% twice a week so that you don't harm the beneficial bacteria that will readily grow in the 10g.

[DaSauce]

I do 40 percent water changed each week then after a month i clean the whole thing and redecotre everything

[niome]

would the heater create hot spot if I only turned it on low?? The temp gets down th e72 here at nights and I didn't want them to be uncomfortable?

[dorn27]

72 is still an acceptable temperature.  Remember, water holds heat longer than air.  If your room drops 10 degrees in the air, the water might only drop 2.  I wouldn't worry about heating it.  Without water circulation, heat really could become a problem.

[niome]

Okay no heater, but they look so lethargic.  Maybe they are just bored the tanks pretty bare!! I'll pick up some more fake plants today and see if that perks them up.  This is the third day so I sould do a 40 percent change today and a 40 pervent change in 3 or 4 more days?? Would that be alright or too much?

[dorn27]

You can never change to much water in an uncycled tank. IMO.  

Testing would be your best bet though.  IF you have trace amounts of ammonia, then yes time for a change.