Can I cycle tank with Betta

I have a 20 gallon long tank and my plan was to do a fishless cycle and then have neon tetras in it. I have a Betta fish in a bowl (he lived at my work) and I feel really sorry for him. I've decided I want him to live out the rest of his life in the 20 gallon and then I'll have the neon tank that I want. Can I cycle the tank with him in it or should I do a fishless cycle and keep him in his bowl. His bowl is about 1.5 gallon and not heated.

I also have a Betta in a 2.5 gallon bowl (Marina 360 with a filter and heater). I realize that this is too small for him, but I really can't upgrade him too at the moment.

What should I do?

 

A 2.5 gal is big enough for a betta.

You could split the 20 gal and do a betta on each side?

I'd do a fish-in cycle since he's exposed to ammonia in the bowl anyway.

 

I prefer a fishless cycle myself, but if you want to do a fish-in cycle I would recommend using stability for a bacteria starter since you can do water changes with it. When the ammonia/nitrite spike happens you can then change the water. Using Prime as a dechoranator will also help your fish with a fish in cycle.

I am unsure if neon tetras are compatible with betta's temp wise. I believe bettas like warmer temperatures then neon tetras do.

edit: I should ask instead of assuming, are you putting the betta with the neon tetras?

 

I prefer a fishless cycle myself, but if you want to do a fish-in cycle I would recommend using stability for a bacteria starter since you can do water changes with it. When the ammonia/nitrite spike happens you can then change the water. Using Prime as a dechoranator will also help your fish with a fish in cycle.

I am unsure if neon tetras are compatible with betta's temp wise. I believe bettas like warmer temperatures then neon tetras do.

edit: I should ask instead of assuming, are you putting the betta with the neon tetras?

You're right, they're temp incompatible. I was assuming the neons would wait until the bettas weren't in the tank anymore.

 

I won't be getting neon tetras until after my Betta dies. I'm going to let him live the left of his live alone. I have Tetra SafeStart. Could I use that instead of stability?

 

You can use TSS, but be aware you can't do water changes for two weeks after using it, and you have to wait 24 hours after prime to use TSS.

Yup that is exactly why I edited and asked, yeah should be fine then.

 

I won't be getting neon tetras until after my Betta dies. I'm going to let him live the left of his live alone. I have Tetra SafeStart. Could I use that instead of stability?

Tetra Safe Start Plus is great for cycling. Add it at the same time as the betta, and follow the directions on the back of the bottle.

 

If you are going to let him leave his life on his own in that big tank, I would get a divider and add another beta. I would split it 10 and 10. Or you can split it, so he only has 5gal and you could add a group of warmer group fish like black neon tetra's!

 

Although the "experts" insist neon tetras require a different temperature than Bettas, they both will get along just fine in a tank set at 78 degrees F. So, once your tank is cycled, you should be able to safely give your Betta a new spacious home (they really like lots of space) and also keep a small school of neons. Good luck.

 

Although the "experts" insist neon tetras require a different temperature than Bettas, they both will get along just fine in a tank set at 78 degrees F. So, once your tank is cycled, you should be able to safely give your Betta a new spacious home (they really like lots of space) and also keep a small school of neons. Good luck.

The better alternative is a school of cardinal tetras, since they actually like the warmer water.

 

octavio I hope that wasn't directed at me, I am probably one of the first to say I am still a beginner. While the neons may be fine, their life stage will probably be quicker at higher temps.

It doesn't really matter though since OP is going to simply use the tank for betta only. ErinE I wish you much luck with the tank, and please post pictures when done. We love pictures on this forum.

 

octavio I hope that wasn't directed at me, I am probably one of the first to say I am still a beginner. While the neons may be fine, their life stage will probably be quicker at higher temps.

It doesn't really matter though since OP is going to simply use the tank for betta only. ErinE I wish you much luck with the tank, and please post pictures when done. We love pictures on this forum.

You are right the warmer the temperature in the tank is, the quicker they grow. But also the warmer the tank is the less oxygen they get.

 

So this morning I added my fish Circle and then the bottle of SafeStart. Circle seems a little overwhelmed. I don't have enough hiding spaces for him though. I have driftwood coming in the mail this week and I want to get some live plants (but have to drive out of town for them).


Circle


The tank. The fake plants in the front were in Circle's bowl so I threw them in hoping he would have something familiar. I have driftwood coming and I hope to plant lots of plants.

 

He's a handsome guy, nice orange. You rarely see orange and yellow fish around me lots of reds and greens. After a few days he'll probably settle right in.

 

He still seems unimpressed. He has spent the day swimming around and flaring at everything (the filter intake, the filter water flow, the walls, me, and everything). I'm guessing that this is normal behaviour after having lived his entire life in a bowl.

 

He still seems unimpressed. He has spent the day swimming around and flaring at everything (the filter intake, the filter water flow, the walls, me, and everything). I'm guessing that this is normal behaviour after having lived his entire life in a bowl.

Sounds normal to me! Mine did the same thing when I got him into his 10 gal.

 

Okay, I'm going to update and ask one more question.

I haven't tested the water yet. Should I? I am using the Tetra Safe Start Plus and don't know if I'm supposed to be testing the water or not. Thanks.

I also wanted to add another picture. I'm starting to like how my tank looks. Circle has also really settled in, but he spends most of his time near the top. I don't know if that is normal or not.

 

I wouldn't bother testing until the full 2 weeks are up. It can only worry you, and you shouldn't do anything to the water for 2 weeks anyway!

 

I would never cycle a tank with fish in it that's just plain ol mean..

 

The fish had been living in a bowl for the last six months. No matter what I did it would have been cruel.

 

I would never cycle a tank with fish in it that's just plain ol mean..

I just eye rolled so hard.
This fish has had literally the best upgrade ever. There is absolutely no good reason to leave Circle in an unheated, unfiltered bowl while cycling a perfectly good tank.

 

I would never cycle a tank with fish in it that's just plain ol mean..

I had my betta do the fish in cycle in a 5g, he looked much happier there rather than the .5 betta aquarium where he lived when my s.o. Gave him to me. Monitored ammonia and nitrtites daily along with 20-25% pwc daily. He was not stressed on the 14 days it took for the tank to cycle. So it is better for him I to be placed in the bigger tank than the unfiltered unheated uncycled bowl.

 

Okay, I tested my water today (I couldn't wait any longer) and this is what I got:

PH 6.5
Ammonia 0 or 0.6 (I couldn't really tell, but I'm guessing 0.6)
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10

I know I have the SafeStart in and I shouldn't be testing.

Is this safe for my fish? Do I need to do a water change?

Thanks. I hope it is okay that I just keep asking here. I don't want to start a new thread every time I have a question.

 

With TSS you can't do a water change until it's been two weeks.
You can test during that time, but the tests may be a little wonky at times.

 

TSS+ introduces ammonium to your water, it is supposed to be harmless to your fish even though the test can't tell the difference. Though I'd imagine that being used to an unfiltered bowl, Circle was exposed to ammonia for a very long time and could handle it a but better than most fish, if it were the harmful kind.

 

So I waited my 14 days and tested my water.

PH: 5 or 5.5
Ammonia: Looked to be between 0 and 0.5
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 5

What's going on with my tank?

My fish seems to be doing fine but I don't think those are the numbers I want. I did a 25% water change today after testing and am going to test my water again soon.

 

So I waited my 14 days and tested my water.

PH: 5 or 5.5
Ammonia: Looked to be between 0 and 0.5
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 5

What's going on with my tank?

My fish seems to be doing fine but I don't think those are the numbers I want. I did a 25% water change today after testing and am going to test my water again soon.

The water change was a good idea, though for what's its worth I'm among those who can't tell the difference in color for the ammonia test between 0ppm and .5ppm, at least not well. I usually get a second opinion, haha.

 

Your pH is too low for your bacteria and your cycle may have stalled. The numbers otherwise look OK as long as the ammonia really is at zero.

 

At a pH of 5 to 5.5 any ammonia in that tank is ammonium. Also, a pH that low will have stalled your cycle.