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adoptbettafishes Fingerling Posts: 25 Kudos: 17 Votes: 0 Registered: 13-Jan-2005	I'm going back to college this week to an empty 5.5 gal tank with heater, power filter and gravel. My question should I bring my bio material from my home filter and let the tank cycle before I acclimate fish? I'm thinking for this setup one betta and live plants. Thank You, ABF
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
Shannen Banned Posts: 1160 Kudos: 1686 Votes: 98 Registered: 17-Feb-2004	you can not cycle without some source of ammonia. But yes it is a good idea to bring some filter material from the other tank into it.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
Brybenn Mega Fish Posts: 1217 Kudos: 1173 Votes: 1 Registered: 02-Mar-2003	bettas dont need to have the same cycled tank as other fishes as they breathe mostly atmosphereical air but it woodnt hurt
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
Shannen Banned Posts: 1160 Kudos: 1686 Votes: 98 Registered: 17-Feb-2004	Brybenn, What are you smoking? Just because they are air breathers doesn't mean they don't need clean water. If you do not cycle a tank or do 100% water changes every week or so, then you have dirty water. This =s death, or rotting fins.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
terranova Fish Master Posts: 1984 Kudos: 1889 Votes: 229 Registered: 09-Jul-2003	IMO it's kinda hard to keep a 5 gallon tank cycled... I have a 5 gallon w/ a betta and I just do WC's every week, and it has a small sponge filter and heater. I never attempted to cycle it, nor will I probably ever try. But then again mine isn't planted atm... But if you do plan to cycle it, taking beneficial bacteria through the form of filter media or gravel or decor is a good idea, as long as that tank is "healthy." -Formerly known as the Ferretfish
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
Daniel Banned Posts: 600 Kudos: 524 Votes: 12 Registered: 25-Jul-2002	Unless you do weekly water changes on an uncycled tank with a betta in it, the betta will fall ill. I do not recommend trying to cycle a tank with a betta in it. You should pre-cycle the tank/filter for a betta.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
adoptbettafishes Fingerling Posts: 25 Kudos: 17 Votes: 0 Registered: 13-Jan-2005	New Betta look at my picts! I want to thank everyone who has helped me and gave me advice! ABF http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sailbettahobby/album?.dir=/e29e&urlhint=actn,ren%3as,2%3af,0
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
pbecot01 Small Fry Posts: 1 Votes: 0 Registered: 26-Jan-2005	a 5 gallon tank will stay cycled just like any other... if there is a source of ammonia ( a fish) to feed the bacteria, they will stay there. Doing water changes will not remove the bacteria. Taking your filter media will give you a head start... some of the bacteria on it will survive, and they will start out at that level of ammonia consumption instead of ~0 like a brand new tank.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
adoptbettafishes Fingerling Posts: 25 Kudos: 17 Votes: 0 Registered: 13-Jan-2005	Thank you for you advice he doesn't seem to be eating the flakes nor betta pellets Kat
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
Light_Bright Moderator Posts: 1156 Kudos: 1403 Votes: 351 Registered: 16-Jan-2002	Yes but a smaller tank can crash easier and faster. I don't cycle anything under a 10 gallon. Sometimes he will take up to a week to decide to eat. Just scoop out what he hasn't eaten after half an hour. I would offer one type of food only until he decides to eat then add additional foods. One food to watch is freeze dried blood worms. If you get him on those first it will be very hard to introduce new food...they are like ice cream ___________________________________________ If at first you DO succeed, try not to look astonished.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
adoptbettafishes Fingerling Posts: 25 Kudos: 17 Votes: 0 Registered: 13-Jan-2005	MY fish wanted to commit Suicide! and jumped behind the desk I got him and put him back in the tank. But omg I never had a betta jump out like that is it because the quality of the water an indecation to change the water or something I had him for 2 days with a cycled tank already. Any suggestion? Thanks, Kat
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
Light_Bright Moderator Posts: 1156 Kudos: 1403 Votes: 351 Registered: 16-Jan-2002	Bettas are jumpers. You have to keep the tank covered. They will find the smallest hole and try to get through it. Do you have any melafix or bettafix? I would add some to the tank as his slime coat could have been damanged. If you don't you could also use aquarium salt (1/2 tsp per gallon) Just keep a watch on him for fungal infection. ___________________________________________ If at first you DO succeed, try not to look astonished.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
adoptbettafishes Fingerling Posts: 25 Kudos: 17 Votes: 0 Registered: 13-Jan-2005	My bettas dorsil fins are stuck together I'm not sure if I should worry or not it occured a little while after his jumping accident. Should I add salt or a dose of tank buddies? Thanks, Kat Ps: I can send you a pick by email or show you picts through my yahoo photo account let me know if you would like to see the before and after picts.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
adoptbettafishes Fingerling Posts: 25 Kudos: 17 Votes: 0 Registered: 13-Jan-2005	My fishes fins have been cured and are not clamped anymore I did a water change and started the filter up again. T want to thank all of those whom gave me advice. Happy Valentine's Day!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48


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