Question about 5(?) gallon tanks....

[iamgroovy]

You don't need or want to change water when you are doing a fishless cycle unless you have some kind of problem that requires it. You are adding a source of ammonia right? What are your test results right now? You want to keep your ammonia level at 5ppm until your nitrItes show up. Then keep the ammonia at 2 or 3 for the remainder of the cycle.
Check out the link below.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57791&highlight=fishless+cycling

 

[minnesotagal866]

I have a 5.5 gallon Betta tank with a heater and filter. I put a couple of live plants, added some established gravel, and stuck the betta right in the tank. No problems. I keep a betta in a 2 gallon tank unfiltered, no problem with 100% water change every week. The 5.5 gallon tank gets a 50%+ water change every week. My point is that with 5 gallon tanks I am not sure it's necessary to "cycle" the tank if you do 50% water changes every week. If I were you, I'd just go ahead and add the betta and do a weekly water change of 50% per week.

Jackie