Sponge filter tank

Question
Hi, First of all I hope you have a good christmas break.

I got given a 10 litre betta tank for christmas as I have gotten into the hobby of buying ill fish and treating them, then selling them to people who can properly look after them. (even though I still cant cure my male betta- nothing is wrong with the water, and I have just finished using the strongest medication I can get in Australia, so fingers crossed)

The tank has a sponge filter with carbon and is an over flow filter suitable for bettas. I am not sure if I have to cycle it or not since I have never had a sponge filter tank, and if I do have to cycle the tank, can it cycle without the heater in there? I don't really want to be wasting electricity if I don't have to.

Thanks and merry christmas!

Answer
Alexander,
Any time there is any kind of filter in a tank it has to be cycled before you add the fish. This is a six week process. With a tank that small there really is no need for the filter. It will not do anything to help the water. You will still have to do water changes every 3 days. If the tank was 5 gallons or more, then the filter might help a bit. Remember, Betta's do not require a filter in their tanks. You can cycle the tank without the heater, but it is advisable to have the heater in the tank while it cycles.