Cycling two tanks at once

I am currently doing an in-fish cycle on a 5 gal tank with a male betta. I started the cycle a little less than 2 weeks ago. Here are my current water parameters according to API Master Test:

Ammonia = 0.25
Nitrite = 0 - 0.25
Nitrate = 0 - 5
pH = 8.0

I’m getting ready to do a partial WC. Last one I did was two days ago. I have two questions:

1. Is it normal for my pH to be this high during cycling? Is 8.0 dangerous for a betta? I’ve read that you shouldn’t use chemicals to alter your pH, especially during cycling. Thoughts?

2. I just got my second 5 gal tank in today for another male betta. Should I use some of the media from the tank that is currently cycling in the new tank to help it cycle faster, or would that help if the first tank has not finished cycling yet? I also don’t want to stall the cycling on the first tank by removing any BB that might be needed for the cycle.

TIA for any tips and advice for this newbie!

 

I am currently doing an in-fish cycle on a 5 gal tank with a male betta. I started the cycle a little less than 2 weeks ago. Here are my current water parameters according to API Master Test:

Ammonia = 0.25
Nitrite = 0 - 0.25
Nitrate = 0 - 5
pH = 8.0

I’m getting ready to do a partial WC. Last one I did was two days ago. I have two questions:

1. Is it normal for my pH to be this high during cycling? Is 8.0 dangerous for a betta? I’ve read that you shouldn’t use chemicals to alter your pH, especially during cycling. Thoughts?

2. I just got my second 5 gal tank in today for another male betta. Should I use some of the media from the tank that is currently cycling in the new tank to help it cycle faster, or would that help if the first tank has not finished cycling yet? I also don’t want to stall the cycling on the first tank by removing any BB that might be needed for the cycle.

TIA for any tips and advice for this newbie!

Are you doing fishless on the second tank?
I would leave the current media where it is because it isnt cycled yet....but when you water change the first tank you can a take that water out and throw it in the second tank to give it a kick start since it has the ammonia and nitrite in the water.

Normally you would have to grow each type of bacteria separately...but if you have ammonia and nitrite in the water already it could help you grow both at once.

Roll Tide!

 

You're cycle is almost complete, so it wouldn't hurt too much to transfer a little media. If 8.0 was dangerous for a betta, mine and literally the rest of the bettas in my state would be dead, and mines fine, so it will be fine. I would be more worried about PH swings.

 

You're cycle is almost complete, so it wouldn't hurt too much to transfer a little media. If 8.0 was dangerous for a betta, mine and literally the rest of the bettas in my state would be dead, and mines fine, so it will be fine. I would be more worried about PH swings.

The cycle started a little less than 2 weeks ago.
I think its just now getting going.

Nitrate might be from the tap.

 

The cycle started a little less than 2 weeks ago.
I think its just now getting going.

Nitrate might be from the tap.

That makes me feel better about the pH. Thanks! Actually, when I started, nitrate was at zero. I did move over a some gravel from a hospital tank when I first started though, so that may have kick started it a little. I’m hoping so anyway. I am hoping the nitrates are a good sign that I’m headed in the right direction! Do you think it would be better to do fishless cycle for the second tank? I currently have a betta in a non-filtered 1.5gal tank. I know it’s not ideal, but I’ve been doing daily checks on the water and 50% water change every 2-3 days while medicating with some stress coat and a little aquarium salt. He was a “rescue” with a hurt fin, and I couldn’t say no even though I didn’t have a bigger tank yet. The new tank is for him. So my options are to do fish-in cycle again or leave him in the smaller hospital tank while I do a fishless cycle.

RTR!

 

That makes me feel better about the pH. Thanks! Actually, when I started, nitrate was at zero. I did move over a some gravel from a hospital tank when I first started though, so that may have kick started it a little. I’m hoping so anyway. I am hoping the nitrates are a good sign that I’m headed in the right direction! Do you think it would be better to do fishless cycle for the second tank? I currently have a betta in a non-filtered 1.5gal tank. I know it’s not ideal, but I’ve been doing daily checks on the water and 50% water change every 2-3 days while medicating with some stress coat and a little aquarium salt. He was a “rescue” with a hurt fin, and I couldn’t say no even though I didn’t have a bigger tank yet. The new tank is for him. So my options are to do fish-in cycle again or leave him in the smaller hospital tank while I do a fishless cycle.

RTR!

I would always recommend a fishless cycle over fish-in cycle.
Especially if the hospital tank is already cycled.
1.5 gallons isn't ideal long term but it will be fine for a few weeks.

If you have some extra bio media go ahead and put it in the hospital tank filter for 2 weeks and let it grab some bacteria while you start the fishless cycle on the 2nd 5 gallon tank.

By then you might be seeing some movement on your ammonia level and then you can add that bio media from the hospital tank into the 2nd main tank.

Edit: you said unfiltered 1.5 gallon...lol
Welp....put an air stone in there especially if you are using salt and meds.
And still do fishless on the 2nd tank.

 

I would always recommend a fishless cycle over fish-in cycle.
Especially if the hospital tank is already cycled.
1.5 gallons isn't ideal long term but it will be fine for a few weeks.

If you have some extra bio media go ahead and put it in the hospital tank filter for 2 weeks and let it grab some bacteria while you start the fishless cycle on the 2nd 5 gallon tank.

By then you might be seeing some movement on your ammonia level and then you can add that bio media from the hospital tank into the 2nd main tank.

Edit: you said unfiltered 1.5 gallon...lol
Welp....put an air stone in there especially if you are using salt and meds.
And still do fishless on the 2nd tank.

Thanks for the advice! I don’t feel too bad about keeping him in the smaller tank a little longer anyway. The whole top portion of his tail was missing when I got him. It’s starting to grow back. He’s just now starting to swim better. I have been keeping the water a little shallow for him to make sure he could get to the top for air ok. I just recently filled the tank up to the top and put a leaf hammock and taller plant for him. I think it’s probably ok to keep him in the smaller tank a little longer while he continues to heal. Maybe by the time the new tank is cycled, he will be swimming really well and be happy to have the extra room. Thanks again for the tips! I appreciate it! ❤️

 

I would always recommend a fishless cycle over fish-in cycle.
Especially if the hospital tank is already cycled.
1.5 gallons isn't ideal long term but it will be fine for a few weeks.

If you have some extra bio media go ahead and put it in the hospital tank filter for 2 weeks and let it grab some bacteria while you start the fishless cycle on the 2nd 5 gallon tank.

By then you might be seeing some movement on your ammonia level and then you can add that bio media from the hospital tank into the 2nd main tank.

Edit: you said unfiltered 1.5 gallon...lol
Welp....put an air stone in there especially if you are using salt and meds.
And still do fishless on the 2nd tank.

Question… I know you can’t give me an exact timeframe, but do you have any clue how long it might take to cycle the second tank if I move some gravel and water over from the first tank? Should I add a quick start or something too, or not since the water may already have some nitrates? Advice?

 

Question… I know you can’t give me an exact timeframe, but do you have any clue how long it might take to cycle the second tank if I move some gravel and water over from the first tank? Should I add a quick start or something too, or not since the water may already have some nitrates? Advice?

So...a few things here.
First: I would leave the first tank alone, removing anything beside water from the first tank will only be counterproductive in regards to the progress you have made and you have a fish in there.
Second: I think that adding water from the first tank could be helpful only because not only do you have ammonia in the water but you also have nitrite. So that water plus your Quick Start isn't going to hurt anything and should kick start the growth of both types of bacteria simultaneously. Where as traditionally you would grow the first bacteria which creates the food source for the second bacteria. This is debatable but it could speed things up a bit.

As far as the nitrates being present...thats not going to help or hurt until they get really high.
Once things really start moving in that second tank and you see the nitrates building rapidly...change out the water and keep them diluted to the point where you can always measure them with the test kit.

Off the chart nitrite and nitrate readings is not where you wanna be. So always be in a position where you can test and actually see your measurable results. If you can't...change water until you can.

You are still looking at several weeks.

 

Thanks for the info! I appreciate your responses!

 

Maybe I've missed it and it has been mentioned but if you are going to keep the betta in an uncycled 1.5 gallon tank and fishless cycle the 5 gallon tank you need to add ammonia to the 5 gallon.

I really don't think moving the tiny bit of ammonia and nitrites over from the other betta tank is going to accomplish anything. Adding it isn't going to help speed up the cycle. Moving water with ammonia and nitrites in it isn't moving bacteria. The bottled bacteria might help remove it but if a fish is in there I wouldn't want to chance it. If you are going to fishless cycle it moving the water won't hurt anything.

Personally I would choose to fish in cycle the 5 gallon tank instead of keeping the fish in an uncycled container while the 5 gallon fishless cycles. As long as you keep the numbers down with water changes the fish should never be in any danger. The small amount of ammonia being produced is going to be more diluted in 5 gallons of water compared to the 1.5 gallons he is in right now.

Don't attempt to change the pH level. It is best to just work with what we have instead of chasing what some consider a perfect number. The only time I recommend doing anything about the pH level is if it is well below 7. At that number the cycling process slows down to a crawl.

 

Thanks! I started thinking the same thing last night myself. The other betta has done fine while doing the FIC. I think this one would be happier in the 5 gal, and I’m careful with the parameters. I was just trying to figure out the best thing for him. His tail is still healing. No open wounds or anything. It’s just growing back. Will it hurt the cycle if I add a little aquarium salt?

 

Thanks! I started thinking the same thing last night myself. The other betta has done fine while doing the FIC. I think this one would be happier in the 5 gal, and I’m careful with the parameters. I was just trying to figure out the best thing for him. His tail is still healing. No open wounds or anything. It’s just growing back. Will it hurt the cycle if I add a little aquarium salt?

Good decision. As long as we keep the numbers down with water changes 5 gallons is much better than 1.5 gallons and should help him heal even faster since the ammonia is more diluted.

No, the salt shouldn't affect the cycling process.

 

Thanks mattgirl! Just one more question (for now anyway )… When my first tank finishes it’s cycle — and I’m assuming it will finish much sooner than the second tank — should I take some filter media from it and put it in the second tank to speed things along? Or would that mess up the cycle on the second tank if I add the media mid-cycle? Does that question make sense? Sorry for all the questions. As I said, I’m new to this. Just trying to do things right the first time so I don’t end up starting over.

 

Thanks mattgirl! Just one more question (for now anyway )… When my first tank finishes it’s cycle — and I’m assuming it will finish much sooner than the second tank — should I take some filter media from it and put it in the second tank to speed things along? Or would that mess up the cycle on the second tank if I add the media mid-cycle? Does that question make sense? Sorry for all the questions. As I said, I’m new to this. Just trying to do things right the first time so I don’t end up starting over.

Moving media from a cycled tank to a cycling tank won't be a problem but I wouldn't be comfortable removing media from a fresh cycle. If the original tank had been running for several months it wouldn't be a problem.

There is a difference between cycled and established. A tank can be cycled in just a few weeks meaning it has grown enough bacteria to process all ammonia through to nitrates almost instantly. The tank isn't well establish yet. Established means it has had time for strong colonies of bacteria to grow on every surface in the tank.

The strongest colony is going to be on the filter media since that is where the most food is going to be but it is also growing on everything in the tank. This is why I recommend not cleaning anything in the tank for at least a couple of months unless absolutely necessary.