filter and stress from moving questions

Question
Hi Jaymie.

I have my betta in a 2.5 gallon tank, and I just bought an awesome 5 gallon acrylic tank for him, but I haven't put him in yet because I have this new 25 watt heater that I want to make sure gets the tank to the right temperature first. I'm kind of worried about transporting him to the new tank since I'm also moving him to another room in the house, so he might get really stressed. How can I reduce the stress level? I plan on putting some of his old tank water in with him, and seed some of his old gravel with the new. Would he calm down faster if I were to keep him in the dark for an hour or two? If he were to dart around or act abnormal in any way, should I put him back in his 2.5 gallon?

This tank came with a filter that I'm sure would be way too strong for a betta. I've always done water changes before, so I was wondering if I can just continue doing water changes with a 5 gallon, or should I get a filter and cycle it first? I've read about cycling, and it seems to take so long. I also don't think my fish would like any water movement in his tank. I'm also worried about screwing up and my fish getting sick because of it. Would it be ok not to use a filter on a 5 gallon tank?

Thanks.

Answer
Mia,
To start the heater, plug it in without turning it on. Check the temperature with your tank thermometer. What ever it say, set the heater to that temperature, put him in the water. Let him swim in that temp for a few hours. After the time is up turn the heater up a  little bit at a time waiting a couple of hours before turning up again. Doing it this way help curb the stress level when taking him from cooler water into warm water. Remember to do this gradually until his water is a 80 degrees. Make sure to keep it this temperature at all times. As for the filter, no he does not need it and does not like it. He is a very slow swimmer because of the long tail and fins and putting in a filter will only stress him out. Just continue to do the gravel cleaning and 25% water changes every week and he should be fine. You do not have to do anything special to transfer him from one tank to the other, nor do you need to take water and gravel from the tank he is in now to the tank he will be going into. You would only do that if you were adding a filter. Just fill it up, add the heater and thermometer, add the conditioner, then put him in.