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I know that some people use certain fish in order to help cycle their tank. However, I plan on setting up a tank around a Betta. Would he be a good cycling fish?

I plan on either getting a 10 gallon tank with the Betta and some Panda Cories (could anything else go in a 10 gallon tank with them?) or a 20 gallon tank with the Betta, Panda Cories, Harlequin rasboras and either a pair of Cherry Barbs or a Gouramis. (Unless anyone has any other ideas of fish that would be good with a Betta...)

So, with that in mind, what would be my best bet for cycling fish? How long should they be in the tank before adding more? With the fish mentioned above, what order should I add the rest of the fish?

Thanks guys!

This website - http://www.aquariumpros.com/articles/fishcyclefw.shtml - has an excellent list of fish that are good for cycling aquaria :-)

No bettas do not IMO&E make good cycling fish. About the only fish I'd suggest for cycling a 10 gallon would be zebra danios. Check with your LFS that you'll be able to exchange them later when you've cycled the tank.

The fish will need to remain in the tank until the cycle is finished. You'll know it's complete your water tests as:

Ammonia: spike then fall to zero
NitrIte: spike then fall to zero
NitrAte: Present and increasing.

Personally I'd say just the betta in the 10. Knowing how unstable a 10 can be I'm not sure I'd keep pandas in them as they've been reported among some of the less hardy corys. Keep in mind whatever you do pick that it should go prefer low water flow as bettas prefer slower moving waters.

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"The rain is falling down like silence in a shroud"[/font]

if you go with a 20g tank dont put gouramis with a betta. they will get real moody with each other.

If you don't mind spending the money, ask your LFS if they carry BioSpira. It costs $10-15 for enough to cycle up to a 30 gal. It contains the live bacteria (it's a refrigerated product) that you need in the tank, and basically cycles it very quickly. You add it and the fish at the same time.

I have almost the identical set up to the one you are considering ... a 20 gal with 8 panda cories and 9 harlequin rasboras. Half were added with the BioSpira; the others added over the next few weeks. I lost a couple of the harlies when I first added them (they were very tiny, and were likely sickly from the store) but other than that, it all worked very well. I'm also hoping to eventually add a Dwarf Gourami to the mix, to finish the stock.

As for the betta, I'm no expert on them, but from everything I've read in researching the D.G.s, you're not supposed to combine the two. It seems to be one or the other in the type of set up that I have (and you want to have.)

Kathy

Last edited by kathyb91 at 06-Feb-2005 18:21

My LFS also cautions against mixing labyrinth fish of any kind... They reckon you can mix male DGs if they are of the same breed, or you can mix male DGs and female Bettas, but never two males of different breeds/species.

This also ties with my own experience - I tried to put a Red Flame DG and a Cobalt Blue DG in a 15 gal tank, and blue effectively stressed red to death :-( (RIP, Red)

When I went to the LFS to get a replacement for Red, they said not to buy any other labyrinth fish, or the same thing would happen. :-P

Last edited by geesloper at 06-Feb-2005 18:38

Last edited by geesloper at 06-Feb-2005 18:40

So, I have gotten a 'no' for the Betta and Gouramis. But does anyone see a major problem between the Betta and two Cherry Barbs?

I believe I will try what you suggested Kathy... Unfortunately, I do not have a "local" fish store or even a local pet store for that matter. I don't think an exchange for fish would be good because it would probably be very stressful for the fish to travel back and forth. So, whatever fish I do get will have to be ones I plan on keeping. So, Kathy's suggestion would be good for my situation. (Thanks Kathy.)

I never thought that building a fish tank would actually require so much thinking and consideration until a couple weeks ago when I started looking into it. I'm so glad that I found this message board before deciding to do anything. You guys are very helpful!


Last edited by neurotica1983 at 07-Feb-2005 04:38

You may be Ok with not having a 'local' fish store (mine isn't all that close either) - most fish can survive up to two hours in a sealed fish bag.

Actually, a veil tale Betta should be ok for cycling a tank. I've done it with them and they all took it in stride.

The worst I have seen from it is a lil fin rot. Some Betta max took care of it to. I would not use Melafix. It killed my Betta.

I would not use any of the other fancy bettas HMs CTs DTs. I found out the hard way that they are too sensitive to the nitrite not the ammonia...Go figure.

Melafix worked on one of my Platys... Is it just not compatible with Bettas?

No it isn't, it's too strong. I believe it burns the labrynth or something like that.

Betta-max is just diluted Melafix.

I've used it on a tank with Gourami's before to no (apparent) ill effect, but I'll remember to dilute it next time. :-|