small tank for a new betta -filter it? cycle it?

[Ms.Bubbles]

Hi everyone! I currently have a brand new betta in a new 2 gallon, (sometimes) filtered, uncycled tank and don't know how to proceed. Specifically I'm wondering:

1. I've heard that 2 gallon tanks are too small to cycle--is this true?
2. Would it be better to upgrade to a 3 gallon (all I can upgrade to right now) and try to cycle the 3g tank, or just keep my betta in the 2 gallon and do 100% water changes on a weekly basis (and is weekly enough)?
3. In the 2 gallon, is it worthwhile running the filter if the tank isn't cycled?

Thanks so much-- experience & advice is much appreciated! :)

[Kasakato]

1) Any tank can be cycled if the bacteria can grow. Heck, someone cycled a shot glass.
2) Any upgrade would be good. Try a 5g. Normally they are a bit cheaper than a 3g. I would do 2x 50% changes in the 2g, and weekly 50% in the 5g.
3) Yes. All tanks should have a filter unless you are doing daily water changes or have a balanced planted tank. If you are cycling its important to have one because it gives more room for the bacteria to grow.

[VTwinFanatic]

actually a betta doesnt need a cycled tank....if you have one thats fine, but dont stress about not having a tank cycled....also dont do 100% water changes weekly...this stresses out the betta...about 20%-30% per week then about every month or so do about a 100% and you should keep a healthy betta.

[Kasakato]

actually a betta doesnt need a cycled tank....if you have one thats fine, but dont stress about not having a tank cycled....also dont do 100% water changes weekly...this stresses out the betta...about 20%-30% per week then about every month or so do about a 100% and you should keep a healthy betta.
Any fish needs a cycled tank. A betta will eventually live in a cycled tank. They just can tolerate higher levels of ammonia and nitrites. 100% water changes are impossible to do. 80-90% will not stress out the Betta. Doing them once a month would be one of the worst thing. Ammonia and nitrite levels will build up, can may kill the fish.

[sumthin fishy]

I would definatly recoment a filter/cycle for any fish. Just because it can tolerate higher ammonia/nitrite doesn't mean it likes it. you can do 20-30% changes weekly and do without that 100% change. That will give too much of a fluctuation in the water for the fish to remain healthy.

[Emg]

A 2 gallon tank for a betta doen't need a filter as long as you are doing regular water changes....a 50% once a week is fine.

Once a month "cup" the betta and empty out all the water into a bucket or container of some sort...and then use a strainer to rinse the gravel out in the old water. Put everything back in with clean dechlorinated water. This will clean all the crud out of the gravel without getting rid of the good bacteria that you want to keep in there.

Reintroduce the betta slowly by adding a bit of the clean water to the cup he's in and float the cup in the tank to be sure the temps equalize.

This should do fine to keep your betta clean and healthy in that 2 gallon.

[fishinAZ]

If you are vacuming the gravel and doing weekly water changes there really is no need to cup the fish and go through all that stress to the fish.

Whether the tank is 2.5 gal or 100 gal....gravel still needs to be vacumed and water changes need to be made.

[Kasakato]

Moving a Betta puts it in a lot more stress than doing a water change.

[sumthin fishy]

I don't see the difference in a 2 gallon or a 200 gallon tank needing a filter. If you had 100 betas in a 200 gallon tank, would you still go without a filter and do a 50% change once a week/month? I like kas' idea of upgrading to the 5 gal. You could get a buddy to go with the beta like a Dwarf frog or mabey a girlfriend (smoochie smoochie)

[Ms.Bubbles]

Hmmm, there seems to be many varied approaches here!

I would love to upgrade to a 5 g but can't due to space restraints, so I'm stuck with the 2 (or maybe 3) gallon...Kasakato, you recommend 2 x 50% water changes per week in the filtered 2g--is that during a specific "cycling" period, or do you mean from now on? Also, you mention doing 80-90% water changes & that 100% water changes are impossible, not sure what you mean. EMG I love the simplicity of your method (and the great pics of your bettas)--it seems to don't need to "cycle" your little tanks (or am I mistaken?).I wonder if all your 1G tanks have live plants in them & that is why a 50% water change per week is working?

Thanks for the thoughtful replies, I really want to do this right but am afraid to put my betta through a potentially lethal ammonia cycling process.

[Kasakato]

If your getting a 2 or 3g just do 2x weekly 50-75% changes in the filtered tank. Never mind about the cycle and 90% whatever stuff. Doing the 2x water changes wold be fine.

[Emg]

Yeah, the gravel vac will work better in a 2 gallon than a 1. ONe gallons are hard to vac because after you vac all you think you need to....most of it spills back in when you go to take the vac out...so that is why I remove the fish in my 1's and empty it........and.....betta aren't that delicate really....cupping it for 10 minutes while I empty and refill the tank does NOT overstress it in the least. I don't chase it around with a net, I just dip a cup under it when it swims to the top....no muss, no fuss.. :rolleyes: