Regarding Bettas

Question
QUESTION: Hi. I have a 10 gallon heated about 79 Fahrenheit, filtered with a whisper 10 90 gph, I have had the tank about 8 days. I have one Betta. The PH is 7.5 and the ammonia is 0ppm Nitrite tester I don't have yet trying to get one. Next week the stores don't have any. My fish has fin rot. I have been medicating and there is some improvement. What I want to know my tank is cycling and with the medication I had to remove the carbon from the filter. I have been using melafix. I want to do this right before I kill the fish. The fish is pretty active and eats well. Thanks Linda"

ANSWER: Hello,
Why would you kill the fish?  Fin, and tail rot is curable.  This is very sad, that you would think of killing the fish.  Your tank will cycle just the same, and if you don't want the fish, please cure him, and take him back to  the pet store.
Lynda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I don't want to kill the fish. We like our fish just want to get rid of the fin rot. I did not want to overdose the fish and kill him. He has fin rot for over 2 weeks and it is not getting much better. What would be the best solution? I stopped the Melafix. I was thinking of Maracyn Two. Thanks Linda

Answer
Hi Linda,
I'm sorry I misunderstood you.  The way it was written made me shiver...lol  I love fish so much!  I'm so happy I misunderstood you!
The best medication in Maracyn two, or tetracycline.  When fish get fin, and tail rot, it is due to poor water conditions, diet, or stress.  Adding silk plants, and little knick knacks in the tank helps.  Vary your betta's diet.  Feed him pellets one day, betta flakes the next, daphina the next, bloodworms once a week, and a frozen pea once a week.  Cook the pea, remove the outer layer, and cut it into small pieces.  Feed the pieces one by one to your betta, making sure they don't fall to the bottom.  On the day you feed him the pea, feed him nothing else.  This is to prevent Swim Bladder Disease, that bettas often get.  Bettas should be fed 2 or three times a day in small amounts.  Example:  2 pellets for one meal.  Their tummy is the size of his eye, so we must always remember this when feeding him.   
Before adding the medication do a little water change.  Your betta was probably in the water before it had time to cycle, which caused his fin rot.  Now your ammonia is down to zero, he should be getting better.  Follow the directions on the package, and do water changes.  Add 2 teaspoons of diluted aquarium salt to his water.  Always add a little salt when changing water.  Bring the temperature up to 80 degrees.
I hope this helps, and that he will get better soon.
Lynda