5 us gallon tank to be cycled...

[houndour]

Finally I am _definitely_ getting a tank this weekend. My lights are arriving on Tuesday. I have the heater and filter already.

This tank is 5 US gallons (16"x8x8) and will be heavily planted. I will probably get the plant side of things up and running before I add a male betta. So I'm probably looking to add the betta in about a month, maybe sooner, maybe longer (see how the plants go).

If it is say a month, should I be cycling the tank properly with Ammonia.

The reason I ask, is I've seen people say that tanks with lots of plants do not need to be cycled. But I wouldn't do this normally...but for 1 fish...??? I dunno.

What do you guys think? Should I be adding ammonia on a daily basis to get the cycle started or put a betta into the tank when I've got the plants thriving?

Thanks,
Sam
PS will a betta even like a planted tank? I'm going to keep it trimmed so the plants do not block the surface. And I will only have "tall" (when I say tall, these are prob fore/mid ground plants in an average tank! but this tank is only 8 inches high) plants at the back (to hide heater etc).

 

[JackDemp528]

You may want to ask the more plant derived questions in the planted forum. As for will the betta like it, I think he will.

 

[ladyhawke]

I have live plants in with my bettas and they love them.

 

[cometcattle]

The betta will love your planted tank, houndour!

What kind of filter are you going to run?

I'd run the new filter in your 19g. It will loaded with beneficial bacteria if you keep in there for a week or two. You'll notice a good bacteria bloom in your water as soon as you transfer the new filter to the 5g.

I can't wait to see pics!

 

[houndour]

The betta will love your planted tank, houndour!

What kind of filter are you going to run?

I'd run the new filter in your 19g. It will loaded with beneficial bacteria if you keep in there for a week or two. You'll notice a good bacteria bloom in your water as soon as you transfer the new filter to the 5g.

I can't wait to see pics!

Well I have a fluval from a previous set up (it's the smallest one they do) I'm going to give this a go first, see what the current is like. It has settings, and I remember it being gentle (it used to be in a hex tank...so I didnt want a strong one in there or it would have caused a whirlpool!). If it's no good i'll probably get an Elite stingray 5 as I've seen these recommended as suitable for bettas.

Thats a great idea about putting it in the 19g first. I'll do it today.

Thanks for your help.