Cycling tank

[BronzeWolf]

Hi

Has anyone cycled a tank with a betta in, i have now moved my 2 bettas into a 4.5 gallon tank each with heaters and filters but really want to cycle my tank, however im scared im going to kill them in the process..

Thanx

 

[wuvmybetta]

They should be ok, but you're going to have to be persistent with your water changes for the next month or so. At least 25% every other day.

 

[BronzeWolf]

Dosent cycling the tank mean that for the next 4 weeks or so i cannot do any water changes, the whole point is to bring your ammonia and nitrites to peak, then the bacteria from your filter kicks in and everything clicks into 0, If i did water changes every other day its gonna take me ages to cycle my tank... sorry hon I'm not knocking you, just dont quite understand your answer, I could prolong the cycling to keep water levels safe but wouldent i only need to do water changes then once a week as opposed to every other day

ps im gonna use cycle too to help things along

 

[shrks1fan]

Cycling the tank with fish will always put the fish at risk, including Bettas. If you want your tank cycled, I would suggest doing the Fishless Cycling Method, no chance of losing any fish that way. If you're not sure on how to do a Fishless Cycle, you can check out my webpage on how to do it (but you may already know how, just covering all the bases, Lol).

http/www.pet-emporium.com/files/index.php?id=16

Linda

 

[jacblades]

no you have to change the water or they will die. you dont change the water in fishless cycling. changing the water slows the process down but it keeps the fish alive.

 

[BronzeWolf]

Jacblades how often do you think i should do water changes then? When i was cycling my coldwater tank of the same size with 6 zebra danios and one hillstream loach i did once a week 30% water changes

 

[BeccaBlain]

Honestly, I think every other day water changes is too much. Thats a lot of added stress onto the already stressed fish.

From what I recall, once a week at 25-50% would be mor ethan enough to suffice. I'm not sure of the exact percentage at this point, but every other day is just asking to kill the fish from over stressing them on top of cycling.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Becca

 

[jacblades]

i would say twice a week 20% changes or once a week 40% changes. but i have never cycled a tank that small or one with a betta in it.

 

[wuvmybetta]

Dosent cycling the tank mean that for the next 4 weeks or so i cannot do any water changes, the whole point is to bring your ammonia and nitrites to peak, then the bacteria from your filter kicks in and everything clicks into 0, If i did water changes every other day its gonna take me ages to cycle my tank... sorry hon I'm not knocking you, just dont quite understand your answer, I could prolong the cycling to keep water levels safe but wouldent i only need to do water changes then once a week as opposed to every other day

ps im gonna use cycle too to help things along

If you don't want your fish to suffer,than yes you need to stay on top of your water changes during the cycle. Every other day will NOT stress the betta, just remove some water and replace it every other day. It will indeed slow down your cycle but that's how it goes when you cycle with fish.After the cycle you will need to do weekly water changes.

You'll see just how messy two full grown males in a 4.5 gallon can be before a tank is cycled. Not doing water changes would be disgusting.

Of course,you can always add some gravel from your other 4.5 to aid it along....don't you have any bigger tanks?

 

[BronzeWolf]

Thanx everyone for your response.
Wuvmybetta i dont have any bigger tanks but its ok now I have some "cycle" to aid with the cycling and everyother day i will change a bit of water

ps My guys absolutely love their new homes although they are not completed its great to see them swimming around seeing them in all their glory