View Full Version : Betta in uncycled tank
My 5 gallon has been cycling with two Danios for two weeks now and the ammonia was up to 2.0 today, the fish don't look stressed at all. My Betta is in a 1 gallon bowl gazing longingly at the tank. I did a 50% water change and it brought the ammonia down to 1.0. If I take the most aggressive Danio out, can i put my Betta in or should I wait for the tank to finish cycling? It seems like if a Betta can survive in a tiny cup, the elevated ammonia in a 5 gallon wouldn't bother it. Does ammonia bother Bettas?
Thanks,
Mari
StreetCypher
09-12-2004, 8:44 PM
Ammonia bothers all fish. Some just take it better than others. I'd wait for the tank to cycle first and then take all the danios out (they need more swimming space than a 5g). Maybe replace them with something else (pygmy cories?, ADF?)
Thanks Spartan,
That's exactly what i had in mind was an ADF and a few cories. I guess I'll just have to wait out the cycle. the Danios do seem happier with the water change.
StreetCypher
09-12-2004, 10:46 PM
no problemo
Is the betta going to go into the tank once it's cycled and the danios are out? Bettas tend to go nicely with cories, and probably an ADF as well. Your betta would probably love a 5 gal!
StreetCypher
09-13-2004, 12:38 AM
Is the betta going to go into the tank once it's cycled and the danios are out? Bettas tend to go nicely with cories, and probably an ADF as well. Your betta would probably love a 5 gal!
That is the plan madame. :)
My LFS doesn't have any Pygmy Cories but there are a lot of Cories. What type and how many should I get for a 5 gallon? The LFS said cories like to be together so I should get a few. Can I get 2 or 3??
phanmc
09-13-2004, 2:42 PM
cories prefer to be in groups of 3 or more, but you don't have alot of room in a 5 gallon. If you can't get pygmies, then try a couple of panda cories (which grows to be 2 and a half inches).
ArkyLady
09-13-2004, 2:51 PM
I was going to suggest panda cories, they are small also. You could get by with one betta and 3 cories in that tank, but that's quite a bit of fish for a 5 gallon, would do much better in a 10 of course :)
If you keep a close eye on your water conditions, you'll be ok though. Once the tank is fully cycled and you have your betta and cories in it, watch your nitrAtes. You will probably have to do partial water changes more often than weekly, maybe twice a week, to keep the nitrAtes down.