BettaGammaDelta

Hey all, it's me again. Thought you might wanna know how my new seven-gallon tank's getting on.

It's still cycling - has been now for over two weeks - and I've just begun to see the first signs of nitrites. The plants seem all to be thriving, and I noticed a very small ramshorn snail that seemed to have snuck in somehow the other day. He's eating the brown algae forming on the tank sides, and doesn't seem to have any buddies with him, so I'm not particularly concerned about any great snail invasions. They do need more than one to reproduce, right?

My most recent question is this - my ammonia levels are now about 1.50, and my nitrites have just begun to rise at 3. The tester kit I'm using says that if and when they reach 5, I need to do a water change. Is this advisable, since I don't have any fish yet? If it is, how much water do I need to change?

For that matter, once I have my three albino/bronze cories and my betta settled, how much water will I need to change then per week?

Llama

If you don't have any fish, leave the nitrites on their own, the more for the other bacteria to eat.

When you have it settled, a 20% or so weekly water change (less if its heavily planted), will suffice.

Dozey

Since you are doing a fishless cycle there’s really no need to do water changes until the cycle is complete.

That’s a lot of fish you are planning for a 7 gallon tank. A betta expert should know better then I but I’m not sure that the betta will appreciate the company of cories. But with that many fish you could expect to do a lot of water changes. You will best know when stocked. Your nitrate level will determine how often you need to do water changes.

BettaGammaDelta

I was informed these fish would be okay with each other on this forum... and also that they should be fine if I keep ontop of the water changes - which seems like a 20/25% change every week or twice a week, which is fine.

Ontop of that, here in the UK bettas (Siamese Fighting Fish here) are not kept in the tiny horrible cups I hear so much about like in the US, but are placed singly in ten-or-more gallon tanks with other species of fish reputed to do well with them, so it's a good chance to see how the indivudual fish fare with tankmates.

agabr123

on my betta tanks i do anywhere from 20-50% changes weekly. it's possible for cories to work but i'd definitely have a back up plan in case things go south and your betta decides he doesnt like them