Started Cycling my 1gal. for a betta...

[GoLdFiSh_GrL]

I want to know if I did it right. I got the filter cartridge of my 29gal., swished it around, and took it out. The dirt wasn't think enough as not to see through it, though, and I wanted to know if that also would work. About what time would it take to cycle completely?

[SnakeIce]

that should seed it well but you still need to add amonia to finish what the seeding started and since that is probably a small tank a drop of amonia a day for a week or two should get you well on the way though each tank is different as to how long it takes

if you have anything to test for nitrites.... you will get a spike and then it will go down again and when it does your cycle is done and you can add your fish :)

[aquariumfishguy]

A one gallon will never really cycle, although you'll probably get lots of "mini-cycles"...

[GoLdFiSh_GrL]

it won't? Oh... and what do you mean by "mini-cycles"?

[SnakeIce]

I think what he means is that 1 gallon is to small to be vary stable. and depending on how much you feed your betta each time you do the tank will have to adjust to deal with it, and you will get a little of the bad stuff(amonia, nitrite)not broken down right away because of that unstableness

[viboy]

The first thing you have to realize is that a 1 gallon tank is not a fish tank it is a candy bowl.

[TKOS]

In a 1 gallon betta bowl, assuming there is no filter, you should not worry so much about cycling but in doing maintenance very often. A partial water change should be done every couple of days to reduce ammonia and nitrites.

[ChilDawg]

*Cough*It's too small for long-term maintenance*Cough*

I'd suggest a 5 gallon at minimum, or even a 10g and some Cories to go with it.

[aquariumfishguy]

Childawg, theres been so many of these "people" lately that I've frankly given up telling people that but your correct, you hit it head on. ;)

...and by mini-cycles, I mean every time you go to change the water or do a cleaning, you tank (bowl?) will want to "cycle" over again, hence the reason your tank/bowl will never cycle correctly.

I agree with the other posters who say to get a 10 gallon tank...its so much easier. :o

[PumaWard]

I have to say... that I think a 1 gal sized container (maybe 2 gallons is more realistic?) anything can cycle... I could be incorrect, but I keep my betta in a ~2gallon vase... I am fairly positive it has "cycled"... mostly because everytime I test the water there is 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite. Although I do have gravel and java moss in it.

[ChilDawg]

I think the key might be the plants. If you don't have plants, there really isn't anything to soak up the waste nutriment provided by the fish.

[OrionGirl]

If there is media for the bacteria to colonize, food for them, and appropriate temp, then they will do so. The volume of water is pertinent in several ways, but not to the presence of bacteria.

Small tanks are not as stable over the long run as a larger tank, but they will cycle. The instability crops up in two ways--First, pollutants will increase in concentration quicker than in a large colume of water. Picture 2 drops of food coloring in a tea cup versus a gallon jar. In the tea cup, the dispersion is fairly fast, and the resulting color is noticable. The same two drops disperse slowly to all corners of the gallon jar, and result in only a faint tinge of color. Same thing for wastes. In a one gallon tank, the wastes build up quickly.

Second, because the volume of water is small, water parameters (hardness, pH) can shift dynamically from normal bio-processes. In large tanks, the volume of water means these parameters are stable under normal maintenance. Insmall tanks, more frequent water changes are needed to prevent pH crashes.

So, what this means is that frequent, small water changes are needed to prevent toxins from building up (talking about things other than testable nitrogens), and to maintain an appropriate buffer to stabilize pH.

[GoLdFiSh_GrL]

good advice! I think im oing to get a 10gal. better... still deciding

[MaryPa]

A one gallon needs cleaned every day,it`s like you living in a porta pot.:( I suggest getting a 5 gal. with a heater,filter and a plant for him.He`ll survive in a one gal but won`t be happy.I have a 10 gal with one male betta and a clown pleco.It look so nice.

[ChilDawg]

How large does this clown plec in question get? I'm wondering because I'm not sure if it is viable as a long-term resident of a 10 gallon tank...sorry to drag the thread off-topic.

[OrionGirl]

Clown plecos stay small--usually between 2-3 inches, smaller even than bristlenose in most cases.

[Quagaar]

Clown plecs get to max 4 inch, they are very small and excellent algea eaters. 10 gallon is the very min for one and would still need twice weekly water changes, as with all plecs they produce a lot of waste. I am glad you are getting your betta a 10 gallon, 5 gallon is the very minimum solitary bettas should be kept in. If you want an idea on what you need for a betta, read this article I wrote about setting up your betta tank. http://www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5
Hope this helps.
Oh and remember bettas can live in smaller than 5 gallons, but where the fun in living, we as fish keepers should be wanting our fish to thrive, not merely survive...theres a huge difference IMO.

[blitzen25bm]

you should go to octopuss' garden they are having a tank sale i brought a 40 gallon today for 40 bucks. they also have 20s for $20.

[aquariumfishguy]

I bought 90% of my 20-some tanks in bulk and paid about

$5 - 15 gallon tanks
$15 - 30 gallon tanks
$30 - 60+ gallon tanks

...Lucky me...:p

[blitzen25bm]

wow you buy your tanks in bulk. i wish i could do that.

[GoLdFiSh_GrL]

WOAH! That's cheap...