Started Cycling my 1gal. for a betta...

[GoLdFiSh_GrL]

I want to know if I did it right. I got the filter cartridge of my 29gal., swished it around, and took it out. The dirt wasn't think enough as not to see through it, though, and I wanted to know if that also would work. About what time would it take to cycle completely?

 

[SnakeIce]

that should seed it well but you still need to add amonia to finish what the seeding started and since that is probably a small tank a drop of amonia a day for a week or two should get you well on the way though each tank is different as to how long it takes

if you have anything to test for nitrites.... you will get a spike and then it will go down again and when it does your cycle is done and you can add your fish

 

[aquariumfishguy]

A one gallon will never really cycle, although you'll probably get lots of "mini-cycles"...

 

[GoLdFiSh_GrL]

it won't? Oh... and what do you mean by "mini-cycles"?

 

[SnakeIce]

I think what he means is that 1 gallon is to small to be vary stable. and depending on how much you feed your betta each time you do the tank will have to adjust to deal with it, and you will get a little of the bad stuff(amonia, nitrite)not broken down right away because of that unstableness

 

[viboy]

The first thing you have to realize is that a 1 gallon tank is not a fish tank it is a candy bowl.

 

[TKOS]

In a 1 gallon betta bowl, assuming there is no filter, you should not worry so much about cycling but in doing maintenance very often. A partial water change should be done every couple of days to reduce ammonia and nitrites.

 

[ChilDawg]

*Cough*It's too small for long-term maintenance*Cough*

I'd suggest a 5 gallon at minimum, or even a 10g and some Cories to go with it.

 

[aquariumfishguy]

Childawg, theres been so many of these "people" lately that I've frankly given up telling people that but your correct, you hit it head on.

...and by mini-cycles, I mean every time you go to change the water or do a cleaning, you tank (bowl?) will want to "cycle" over again, hence the reason your tank/bowl will never cycle correctly.

I agree with the other posters who say to get a 10 gallon tank...its so much easier.

 

[PumaWard]

I have to say... that I think a 1 gal sized container (maybe 2 gallons is more realistic?) anything can cycle... I could be incorrect, but I keep my betta in a ~2gallon vase... I am fairly positive it has "cycled"... mostly because everytime I test the water there is 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite. Although I do have gravel and java moss in it.