could i put one established bio-chem star in a 1 gal or would it be too much? each star is supposed to treat 5 gal.
too much bacteria?
- Thread starter jacblades
- Start date
Yeah, should be fine. Theoretically, you could put too many bacteria in a system, have a bacteria die-off and then have problems with water quality. In your case, you'll be o.k.. Or at least the tank will! 
You can never have too much of a good thing 
as said the bacteria that the tank bio system couldnt support would just die but you would be safe in the knowledge that your tank is maxed out with bacteria.
Personnely after trying several of the short cut methods this week while trying to reduce a nitrite spike in an estblished tank I would do it the old fashion way as the "short cuts" either dont work, have no long term effect or worse can damage the bio system that already exsists in your tank
Hope that helps (rant over LOL)
as said the bacteria that the tank bio system couldnt support would just die but you would be safe in the knowledge that your tank is maxed out with bacteria.
Personnely after trying several of the short cut methods this week while trying to reduce a nitrite spike in an estblished tank I would do it the old fashion way as the "short cuts" either dont work, have no long term effect or worse can damage the bio system that already exsists in your tank
Hope that helps (rant over LOL
)
you dare.
i have all of my bettas in 1 gals.
well i change the water often since the amount is so small. i was just curious.
i have all of my bettas in 1 gals.
well i change the water often since the amount is so small. i was just curious.
I doubt you could keep something that small cycled, especially since you'd be changing at least 50% of the water every three days (one would hope). From my understanding it's not even worth cycling such a small container, as it would be hard to keep the bacteria population. Just do the water changes and cross your fingers. And if you wanted bacteria to lessen the amount of water changes you have to do, it's not going to help.
Of course the standard ammonia build up/heater disclaimers apply to such a small container. Length is important for tanks, but it's not the end all be all aspect of the container. Especially for bettas, I'd consider water volume *far* more important than length, since they are adept and adapted to swimming from various levels to the top of the tank, they take in oxygen, so the surface to air ratio is less important, and they can put out a decent amount of waste.
Of course the standard ammonia build up/heater disclaimers apply to such a small container. Length is important for tanks, but it's not the end all be all aspect of the container. Especially for bettas, I'd consider water volume *far* more important than length, since they are adept and adapted to swimming from various levels to the top of the tank, they take in oxygen, so the surface to air ratio is less important, and they can put out a decent amount of waste.
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Just thought I'd throw this in to the fray. I did a little 'experiment' with my wife's betta tank. It's a 2.5gal mini-bow with one beautiful betta called 'Gus'. We upgraded to an Azoo Palm Filter and haven't looked back, it keeps the water CRYSTAL clear.
Anyhoo, she changes 50% of the water once per week. Just before her water change a couple of weeks ago I tested for ammonia levels as I was interested...came in about 1.0ppm. So, I took a couple of ceramic 'noodles' from my cannister filter on my cycled 29gal and dropped them into the bottom of her Palm filter...they fit nicely beneath the sponges.
One week later I tested the water right before the change was due and VOILA!, no ammonia/nitrite....ZERO!!! The 2.5 gal is cycled!
Now we will still perform 50% water changes once a week because it keeps the water clean, but it goes to show that now Gus's water is REALLY clear.
I'm sure you could use the same principle for any size tank. As long as you leave the bacteria loaded media in the filter (in this case the Fluval Biomax, or Bio chem star), the tank remains cycled.
We're just happy in the knowledge the our bettas (mine at work has now had the same treatment) are languishing in clean, ammonia & nitrite free water.
Anyhoo, she changes 50% of the water once per week. Just before her water change a couple of weeks ago I tested for ammonia levels as I was interested...came in about 1.0ppm. So, I took a couple of ceramic 'noodles' from my cannister filter on my cycled 29gal and dropped them into the bottom of her Palm filter...they fit nicely beneath the sponges.
One week later I tested the water right before the change was due and VOILA!, no ammonia/nitrite....ZERO!!! The 2.5 gal is cycled!
Now we will still perform 50% water changes once a week because it keeps the water clean, but it goes to show that now Gus's water is REALLY clear.
I'm sure you could use the same principle for any size tank. As long as you leave the bacteria loaded media in the filter (in this case the Fluval Biomax, or Bio chem star), the tank remains cycled.
We're just happy in the knowledge the our bettas (mine at work has now had the same treatment) are languishing in clean, ammonia & nitrite free water.