How long should it take for a 2.5 g tank to cycle?

[platytetrafan]

Ok I am trying again to cycle a 2.5g tank which a betta will go into once the cycle is completed. I am using filter media that has been in my 36g filter compartment for months it is a whisper filter so I am hoping this will help the cycle go along faster. Since I don't know how to do a fishless cycle I am using a danio to help the cycle along as well. How long approximately should it take for a tank this size to cycle with established media in place?

 

[Virtuoso2K12]

3 days.

 

[gmh]

Not long at all. Check for ammonia the next few days. If it stays zero you should be fine. The tank is allready fully 'stocked' with the Danio so if no ammonia spike the next 3-4 days I would says it is good.
Of course you want to leave the media in the tank a couple of weeks so the new filter can get seeded.

 

[platytetrafan]

I checked the water today with API drops and ammonia is at 0. Yes I know that the danio stocks the tank right now. Wow three to 4 days and the tank should be cycled how cool is that :dance:. When I first started in the hobby it took me over a month to cycle my 36g and a few weeks to cycle the 5g and 3g tanks that house my bettas. I also didn't know about using established filter media when I first learned about cycling but quickly learned.

Will I see nitrates established that quickly? I will continue to test the water to see where the parameters are at and do wc's accordingly. Maybe I should wait atleast a month to make sure the water is established the media I am using has been in my 36g filter compartment for months so I am sure it has tons of nitrifying bacteria. Once I am sure that all is well the danio will be transferred into my 36g and then I can add a betta to the 2.5g. I just hope the betta does ok I bought this tank a while ago for another betta and had added pink gravel I never saw a betta do this but he flared at the gravel and didn't seem happy so I had to transfer him to my 5g tank. Crossing my fingers that all goes well thanks for the advise everyone .

 

[jaylin]

It takes the same amount of time to cycle 2g as it does to cycle 100g. If you're putting some media in from another tank and the tank has a source of ammonia (a fish or whatever) it will probably take about 2-3 weeks for the tank to completely cycle.

I wouldn't bother cycling with the danio, 1 danio isn't going to add much ammonia so you won't grow a lot of bactera. Besides, danios like to be with their danio buddies. I'd go ahead and put the betta in and keep a close eye on the ammonia and nitrites levels.

Oh, and don't believe whoever said 3 days - they don't know what they're talking about.

 

[platytetrafan]

Well the danio is already in the 2.5g they are extremely hardy I used them to cycle my 36g tank. I really don't want to put the betta in there until I know that the tank is fully cycled even with established media just don't want to take a chance but I figure I will wait a month to make sure once I know the tank is good the danio will go in the 36g and the betta in the 2.5 g tank.

 

[mooch4056]

well damio's are very hardy and will prob be ok -- but -- really they need at least a 20 gallon tank -- they are fast and like to zip around -- it will suvy I think in the 2.5 -- but -- am just saying -- he might not be happy


also yeah -- i agree with jaylin -- its only a 2.5 gallon -- but the cycle time will be the same as any other tank -- use media from a healthy established tank and you can get it done in a about 16 days or so -- at least in my experience -- with out the media -- 6-8 weeks

 

[jaylin]

Well the danio is already in the 2.5g they are extremely hardy ...

So are bettas ...

But, your danio isn't going to produce enough ammonia to build enough of a bio filter to maintain the betta. In fact, your danio might not produce enough ammonia to keep the seeded bacteria alive. You're probably just draging out the entire cycling event this way. Even if you cycle with the danio, you'll probably mini cycle when you add the betta. And .. your danio is probably very frustrated being in such a small tank without his buddies, whereas your betta won't really mind ....

Then again, if you're THAT concerned, put the danio back, and fishless cycle the tank. At least that way you know the tank is getting enough ammonia to to actually cycle.

They're your fish, do what you want, just know that the logic behind why you're doing it that way is ... off.

 

[platytetrafan]

Will see how it goes I did get an ammonia spike a the day before and did a wc and gravel vac. I am in no rush the tank will eventually cycle the danio is fine he is eating and swimming around. One thing I noticed the day after I got him he only has one eye not sure what happenned to him he could have been attacked in tank at LFS or maybe injured before that he is a feisty little guy. From others I have talked to in the past I was told not to cycle the tank with a betta they are too sensitive.

 

[Lucky]

Oh, and don't believe whoever said 3 days - they don't know what they're talking about.

I recently had a 1.5 gallon cycle in about 4 days, using a lot of seeding material, and a few young java ferns/a 6-inch strand of anacharis. I saw the nitrite spike, and still regularly test the parameters - 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, some nitrates for almost a week now. So I'd say a 4-7 day cycle is at least plausible if you have enough filter media and some plants transferred over. Starting from scratch, though, or with only a small amount of seeding material and no plants, I agree - it would take a couple of weeks.