bmxer193

I just bought a 29gal and I would like to know if it would be safe to add my male betta into the tank while it is cycling?

Chief_waterchanger

I wouldn't cycle the tank with any fish in it. The fish used to cycle a tank often end up having health problems. You can cycle it just as well by using some of the used filter media from the other tanks and letting it have 3-5 days without a fish in it, if you have the option.

bmxer193

When you say "letting it have 3-5 days without a fish in it" are you saying that i can start the cycle then 4 or so days later i can add the betta.

The betta can stay where he is now, but i thought it would be nice for him to have a big tank to himself for a while and help it cycle at the same time. thanks for the advise!

Chief_waterchanger

When I said 3-5 days that is only if you use a "seeded" filter media from one of your other tanks to push the cycle along quicker. If you are not used to cycling tanks without testing the waters I would still test the water, or whatever you need to do to feel comfortable, but if you use a substantial chunk of seeded filter media there is a good bit of good bacteria if you LIGHTLY stock the tank, such as with one betta only, for a week or so after adding the betta.

Your main goal is to slowly increase the bioload of any tank until you get it where you want it (as long as you do not want it overstocked ) so that the good bacteria has time to build up to combat each level of bioload as it gets greater.

bmxer193

I cant use a media from 1 of my other tanks but when i do water changes i take the media and put it in some old tank water and use an old tooth brush to lighty clean half of the media, Could i put the used water that i cleaned the media in into my new tank to help it cycle faster?

Chief_waterchanger

I wouldn't use the used water. Do you have substrate, decorations, live plants, anything of large surface area in one of the other tanks that you can put in the new tank for a couple of weeks?

bmxer193

ya, I have a few fake plants from my 10gal that ill put in the new tank

Chief_waterchanger

good call. I would watch things carefully if you decide to put the betta in. I would let the tank cycle for a while first, but it is up to you ultimately, so just keep a close watch on the water readings

bmxer193

I just found this product on petsmart that i have seen at my LPS that i might get and try out(but ill still wait a week after using it and test the water everyother day)

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...amily&keepsr=1

bmxer193

wow everything on petsmart cost way more that it does at my LSP and thats not even including shipping