Cycling the tank

[philipwaldram]

I'm finally going to buy a 5 gal hex tank for a male betta. I'm going to buy the tank tomorrow but don't know what else I need to start the fishless cycle. The filter, heater and light come with the tank but nothing else.
Do I need substrate, plants, and rocks as It would be setup eventually?
Should I get the water test kits straight away too?

Thanks
Phil

 

[philipwaldram]

I'm just going to ask this now!
Where would I get pure ammonia from in the UK?

 

[benzonar]

I'm just going to ask this now!
Where would I get pure ammonia from in the UK?

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I got mine from Homebase. It will be in the household cleaner section.

White bottle, blue writing with "Household Ammonia" written on it. One 500ml bottle is more than adequate.

 

[keithg]

Hi phil
got mine there too worked a treat.
new 180lt tank, used some mature gravel anf a bit of mature sponge in new filter.
Added amonia to get 6ppm reading. left until zero then added amonia to get a 2ppm readind each day until nitritr was zero. Had to do a few partial water changes in the last few days to bring nitrates down. So you need a kit to test amonia nitite and nitrate. and before adding fish test for ph and hardness and do a another water change. hope this is of help.
My cycle took 18 days all fish transferred ok ( from old tank) although i've added two plecos since both of which died, a bit baffled as water tests all ok and other fish all ok?

 

[Slyspy]

With a single betta you don't necessarily have to cycle, but you will have to do very frequent or very large water changes (see the betta forum, they will help).

Set your substrate and decor up at the start, it is easier and better to do so.

Best practice though is to cycle the tank first. Any domestic ammonia solution cleaner without additives will do. If it foams when you shake it it contains soap and should be avoided (likewise if it has any colour). You may have to shop around for it though as many chains do not stock it. The phone book is your friend!

Test kits are essential to monitor the progress of the cycle. NitrIte, nitrAte and ammonia are what you need (they should be part of any fish-keeper's routine anyway).

As Keith said seed the tank with a source of bacteria from another tank if you can.

It is best to add ammonia daily to get 5/6 ppm. When your 5ppm has been reduced to 0ppm over 24 hrs then that part is over. Once the resultant nitrItes are also consumed in 24 hrs then you are done. You must continue to feed with ammonia through out the cycle.

 

[rdd1952]

It is best to add ammonia daily to get 5/6 ppm. When your 5ppm has been reduced to 0ppm over 24 hrs then that part is over. Once the resultant nitrItes are also consumed in 24 hrs then you are done. You must continue to feed with ammonia through out the cycle.

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I'm not a fan of this method as it takes forever. The best way is to add enough ammonia to raise the level to 5 or 6 ppm and wait till it drops to zero before adding more. After that just add enough to raise it to about 2 ppm every time it drops back to zero untilthe nitrite drops to zero. Having said all that, there are numerous methods to cycling and since you are planning to have only one betta, just raising it to around 2 ppm and waiting for it to drop would probably be enough. If you feed them properly, there won't be much waste, either from the fish or left over food, to produce much ammonia.

 

[modernhamlet]

I'm not a fan of this method as it takes forever. The best way is to add enough ammonia to raise the level to 5 or 6 ppm and wait till it drops to zero before adding more. After that just add enough to raise it to about 2 ppm every time it drops back to zero untilthe nitrite drops to zero. Having said all that, there are numerous methods to cycling and since you are planning to have only one betta, just raising it to around 2 ppm and waiting for it to drop would probably be enough. If you feed them properly, there won't be much waste, either from the fish or left over food, to produce much ammonia.

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It's a great method when you're planning for a high bioload, but I do agree that a simpler method should work just fine here.

To answer your original question, Phil, you should set everything up as you plan to have when adding the fish. Plants will actually help the cycle along (and stablize the tank after the betta is in). Make sure you stick with lowlight plants, unless you have better than standard light source. Definitely have the heater on and set higher than you'll eventually have it (again, helps speed up the cycle). 82F is good for the cycle. Kick it down to 75-78F a few days before adding the betta.

Good luck with your tank. Sounds like you'll have one happy betta!