cycling a 3 gallon tank

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bobulot

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Nov 14, 2009
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I have a 3 gallon tank that is defying science, and maybe you guys can help.

I have been trying desperately for 2 months to cycling a 3 gallon tank for my betta. It's a kritter keeper, heated with gravel and 6 small water wisterias.

This is what's happening:

I add 1/2 teaspoon of clear ammonia which brings it to about 4ppm. Let it sit for 3 or so days. When I check it again it is off the charts, 8ppm+. It will stay this way for weeks until I get so frustrated that I do a 50% water change (back to 4ppm) and wait, 3 days later, it's 8ppm+ again. This has been going on for about 2 months now.
I have also tried the process of elimination thinking maybe it was something in the tank that was causing the spikes, so I slowly removed everything and with a completely bare tank, it still spiked. so I even changed tanks! I am now working with a completely different kritter keeper, different gravel, different plants, different heater, and it's still doing the same thing.

I am using API ammonia test kit NH3 & NH4, NovAqua+ conditioner and no salt or any additives. It is fishless and there are no snails. The plants are robust and have absolutely no rotting areas. Initially I was using a DIY sponge filter, but removed that for this second setup.

Help!
 
Do you have another tank running from which you could nab some of the good bacteria rich filter media to jumpstart the filter in this three gallon tank you're trying to get running?

If not, maybe a friend who can give you some used media.

Or I've heard you can also buy packets of jumpstart bacteria or something from aquarium stores... I've never used them & have no clue if they're wort it, but they do exist.
 
currently there is no filter in the tank because a current is too intense for a betta in such a small tank. And I have other tanks but none of them are cycled, this is my first attempt.

Do you have any idea what would make the ammonia rise without anything to produce it?
 
I"m no expert and am just guessing, but with no filter there is no filter media for which to grow a bacteria colony to use up the ammonia. Have you looked online for small tank filters? I think they exist for those small of betta tanks.
 
If you get one of the nano hanging filters (they're about 3"x5"x4") it shouldn't be too strong at all.

Or . . . When I was setting up my 5 gallon for my beta, I got an adjustable speed hanging filter of an appropriate size. I put it on it's lowest speed (very Very slow indeed) to start and gradually turned it up a little bit every week_ Like a treadmill for the beta to strengthen his swimming. By the time the filter current was up to full speed I finished with a tough little swimmer & a fully functioning tank.

If you're super worried about even the slightest current, tie a piece of stocking around the intake which will further weaken the flow by impeding suction and prohibit even the remotest chance of his fins from getting caught in the vent.
 
A. Crispus seems to know what he's doing. I just set up my 3 gallon JBJ for my Betta Halfmoon Plakat pair coming in on November 22nd, and because I took some gravel (AND filter media) and put it in the tank, it should be completely cycled by the time they arrive.

Just try some used gravel, or filter media. There's no way for bacteria to magically appear, you need something to start a colony.

The filter that comes with the Picotope is really nice because it comes with several different intake tubes, grates, open bottoms, slits. It makes it easy. It's adjustable flow too. You should be fine, in the wild, some Bettas live in the current of a horseshoe bow in the Amazon, or other rivers more specifically in Thailand.
 
what is the PPM of your tap water? and what kind of test kit are you using? i would only go with about 1PPM of ammonia to start with, then go up to 2PPM, no need for more than 3PPM.
 
I have used both hanging and submersable small-sixed filters in 2-3 gallon betta tanks. You can regulate and direct the current or use some driftwood to give them a resting area and they seem to enjoy the current.
 
FindingBlemo said:
A. Crispus seems to know what he's doing. I just set up my 3 gallon JBJ for my Betta Halfmoon Plakat pair coming in on November 22nd, and because I took some gravel (AND filter media) and put it in the tank, it should be completely cycled by the time they arrive.

Just try some used gravel, or filter media. There's no way for bacteria to magically appear, you need something to start a colony.

The filter that comes with the Picotope is really nice because it comes with several different intake tubes, grates, open bottoms, slits. It makes it easy. It's adjustable flow too. You should be fine, in the wild, some Bettas live in the current of a horseshoe bow in the Amazon, or other rivers more specifically in Thailand.
Click to expand...
those are the wild bettas with the short fins(easier to scoot around with)
domesticated bettas are the ones who dont like current

also about the filter ,there are redsea nano filters that filter up to 3 gallons so that should work pretty well.
 
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