Quick cycle

[hondamx]

I know it isn't good to do but I need to do a quick cycle. I have a betta in a 1.5 gallon and I've found it's hard to keep the temp right and cold weathers coming.(Any suggestions on how to keep temp steady welcome) So I'm getting a 5 gallon so I can have a heater and to give it more room. I need some tips on quick cyclinging so I can get my betta out of the 1.5 gallon.

[mostlycichlids]

I really dont see any problems doing a mini cycle I have done it on practically all of my tanks just use the filter on the new tank and watch the levels. Main thing is to watch for spikes. But as far as mini cycle I dont personally see any problems with it.

[gst4life]

You could add some stability from seachem but I doubt it will work as its not refridgerated.


http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444180 7386&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030151&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1158347912417&itemNo=0&Ntt=seachem+stabilty&In=All&previousText=seachem+stabilty&N=2

[plah831]

yup, as akapaul said, the best way to jumpstart a cycle is by using a filter, or at least filter media from one of your established tanks. I've done this and not experienced any cycle at all! Much to my amazement. It only happened once when I moved the entire filter over to a brand new tank. But absolutely no ammonia or nitrites, yippee!

Glad you're moving your betta to a larger tank. 1.5 gal is tiny. He'll be much happier in 5 gal :)

[gst4life]

yup, as akapaul said, the best way to jumpstart a cycle is by using a filter, or at least filter media from one of your established tanks. I've done this and not experienced any cycle at all! Much to my amazement. It only happened once when I moved the entire filter over to a brand new tank. But absolutely no ammonia or nitrites, yippee!

Glad you're moving your betta to a larger tank. 1.5 gal is tiny. He'll be much happier in 5 gal :)
I dont think he had a filter on the 1.5 g and it will probably be small anyway. But you might be talking about another of his tanks...


pS My betta loves his 5 g. It was a nobrainer, empty 5 g hmmm..... betta!

[plah831]

I dont think he had a filter on the 1.5 g and it will probably be small anyway. But you might be talking about another of his tanks...
ohh, you might be right. Didn't even occur to me cuz I've never kept my bettas without a filter. Except when I was 12 and had it on a windowsill in an old pickle jar :duh:

well, honda, if that's the case (and it's OK because you know better now :) ) just cut some of an established filter media to fit into your new filter.

[gst4life]

Im 12 now and I keep my betta in a 5 g palace. :thm:

[hondamx]

I actullly am using a filter. I'm using a small world filter.

http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?familyID=3199

[gst4life]

That will not help the 5 g at all. Better off with a marineland bio wheel 100 or the model before that.

[hondamx]

Well that's what I'm using for my 1.5. I'll be getting a bigger filter for the 5 gallon.

[gst4life]

Well that's what I'm using for my 1.5. I'll be getting a bigger filter for the 5 gallon.
Well if you get a bio -wheel filter(Better off in the long run) try to make the cartridge fit in the slot if it is big enough. If not, buy some off that bacteria stuff or bio-spira to quick cycle it.

[plah831]

gst, you're seriously only 12??!! I had no idea. Well, you're well on your way to becoming an expert aquarist, then. Shucks, by the time you're my age (28) you'll be a fish guru :)

Wow, look at you talking shop about filters and stuff. I couldn't do that when I was 12. Good for you :thm:

[gst4life]

Thanx. The only reason I started is becasue of that good old carnival gold fish.

Sorry for getting offtopic.. :o

[mostlycichlids]

You could also move some of the substrate and some of the water. I have a 5 gallon with a beta he loves all of the room.

[gst4life]

I forgot , thats true^ . But using the same water doesnt really help as I don';t think that much bacteria actually "clings" to the water.

Remember to keep the substrate wet when changing!

[hondamx]

Did anyone ever use cycle? Does it work good??

[gst4life]

If thats a product can you show me a link to a website that sells it? If its refridgerated and includes food for bacteria, it probably works. But if the bacteria has no food, they wont live and it will be useless.


Correct me if Im wrong/

[Ms.Bubbles]

Honda, if you've had a filter running on the little 1.5 gallon, put that filter sponge into your next filter for the 5 gallon. It WILL help to speed up your cycle if it's been operating for a few weeks--a little of the good bacteria is definitely better than none at all, and will multiply quite rapidly. I don't know why gst4life would state that your old filter won''t help...

I wouldn't bother with the product 'Cycle'--I've never heard any success stories with it, and I found it to be useless. However, you can get "Bio Spira" online and a lot of people have had very quick cycling using it.

[gst4life]

http://www.petsmart.com/media/ps/images/products/detail/large/August05/lg_51969_49a99.jpg

? I doubt it works...

[plah831]

yeah, as far as I know the only bacteria additive that really works is Bio Spira. I've used Cycle and it really didn't make a difference.

I think for a 5 gal, the expense of BioSpira will not be worth it. Like Paul said, just moving all your gravel should give you a good jumpstart. Plus the old filter. You can just leave it running alongside the new one, until the new one gets a population of bacteria (couple weeks).

[mostlycichlids]

no water does not do much but is is already aged and has minerals etc.

[Ms.Bubbles]

I think for a 5 gal, the expense of BioSpira will not be worth it. Like Paul said, just moving all your gravel should give you a good jumpstart. Plus the old filter. You can just leave it running alongside the new one, until the new one gets a population of bacteria (couple weeks).

I would be careful about running 2 filters in a 5 gallon betta tank--you'll need to diffuse the output on both filters to quiet the current or you may have one exhausted betta in a jacuzzi!

IMO the cost of Bio Spira would be worth it. Betta's are not the hardiest fish, and subjecting them to ammonia and nitrites can shorten the lifespan of the fish. Unfortunately I learned this the hard way with my betta. :sad:

[phanmc]

You already have a filter so you can transfer the media over to the new tank and it will seed the new filter with the bacteria. If you are not adding any additional fishes, the filter media from the 1.5 will have all the bacteria needed for the betta and you should not see any spikes in nitrogen. Everything else, Cycle, BioSpira, etc would be unnecessary. For some added insurance, transfer the gravel over as well since the bacterias colonize on all surfaces of the tank.

[plah831]

I would be careful about running 2 filters in a 5 gallon betta tank--you'll need to diffuse the output on both filters to quiet the current or you may have one exhausted betta in a jacuzzi!
that's true! yeah, bettas don't tend to like a lot of flow.