cycling a 2.5 gallon tank

[AlexsDaddy]

I read in another thread that cycling a filtered 2.5 gallon tank isn't really necessary. To just do a 25% water change once a week and the fish should be fine. Truth?

 

[endparenthesis]

That's what I do. Don't overstock and do frequent water changes and eventually maybe it'll cycle and maybe it won't... ammonia is getting removed either way.

 

[AlexsDaddy]

I'm working on growing 3 plants, and want to add a couple ghost shrimp. Do you think that would be too much with 2 ghost shrimp and a betta? The plants should help keep the water clean right?

 

[endparenthesis]

Sounds like my 2.5. Go for it.

 

[AlexsDaddy]

Thanks!

 

[endparenthesis]

Best of luck to your shrimp... no matter how nice my bettas seem to be towards them at first, they always end up killing them eventually.

 

[White Whale]

I'm working on growing 3 plants, and want to add a couple ghost shrimp. Do you think that would be too much with 2 ghost shrimp and a betta? The plants should help keep the water clean right?

That's pretty much live food for bettas.

 

[AlexsDaddy]

Maybe I won't do it then if he will just end up eating them. I'm having trouble remembering. I thought I read somewhere that ghost shrimp breath like a betta. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[White Whale]

Maybe I won't do it then if he will just end up eating them. I'm having trouble remembering. I thought I read somewhere that ghost shrimp breath like a betta. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I dunno about shrimp breathing, but maybe you can add a couple of dwarf cories or a couple of otos with your betta.

 

[wuvmybetta]

No, I don't believe shrimp have a labyrinth organ. I'm pretty sure they need filtration to survive

If you plan on having more than a betta in a 2.5 (which will be a tight squeeze IMO) you'll definately have to cycle the tank first

 

[BronzeWolf]

My personal opinion is:

If your housing a betta in a Unfiltered 2.5 Gallon you would need to do at least a 50% change per week. I recommend 70%.
And inbetween changes do a vacum.
Feed your fish every other day to cut down on waste.

2.5 Gallons is way to small to introduce tankmates, if you did introduce tankmates you would have to filter the water, but i dont think you would ever be able to cycle a tank that small.

Another good tankmates suggested by others here are corys but you need 3 of them together hence a 2.5 is not big enough.

Why not go up to a 5 Gallon then you can have a filter, heater, a few tankmates, cycle your tank and you get to see your betta swimming loads...

 

[AlexsDaddy]

Yea, I changed my mind on the tank mates. I thought it would be a little to cramped to add any to it. Thanks for all the advice though. Oh, I'm running a filter in my 2.5 by the way. That way I should have to only do 25% weekly, and full monthly. I have a small apartment, so 2.5 is pretty good size for me right now untill I can find more room.

 

[White Whale]

What brand/type of filter are you using?

 

[AlexsDaddy]

Useing the duetto 50, by marineland. Is that good? I have the flow set at a lower rate to keep the current low so my boy isn't struggling against a current all the time. I just need to find a way to keep him away from the intake ..... Maybe if I move the plant to infront of it. He has horizontal lines. Doesn't that mean he's stressed? Maybe he's still getting used to his new home.

 

[White Whale]

Just use a little imagination.

Here is my 2.5er mini-aquarium:

And here is the type of filter I use - Azoo Palm filter (I have two hanging on the back, but one is off - it's a spare):