Documentation of new 3 gallon betta tank

Hello everyone
I’m creating this thread to help me remember the process I am using in order to successfully cycle and decorate my 3 gallon tank that I got for christmas
Something to know:
-This is approximately my 5th time trying to cycle this tank. The second time I tried cycling i actually managed to get it completely cycled in a week due to the addition of media and decor already with bacteria in my established aquarium, then the tank leaked. My dad has since fixed it with aquarium-safe silicone and it’s been stable.
-It’s the most trouble i’ve ever had with cycling, due to the extremely low flow coming from the filter because the tank was very cheap, and the mistakes i’ve made along the way.
-This time, i’m doing the “instant cycling”method. I’m not sure how it’s taken this long for me to discover that this is possible as long as you already have an established aquarium, which i do.

Currently:
- my 3 gallon is empty and waiting. All the decor and filter media for the little tank, excluding the substrate, has been sitting in my 50 gallon growing bacteria for a week. It will take at least 4 weeks before I can move this bacteria-rich decor into the little tank in order for it to instantly cycle.
-i will be adding the water from my established tank into the 3 gallon as well, and i’m still deciding whether to use some dechlorinated tap water (it contains approx 1ppm of ammonia, which would help in cycling. typically, i mineralize and add RO water to my tanks because i don’t want to add additional ammonia.) Since i’m “instant-cycling”, though, i’m wondering whether adding an ammonia source is necessary. The tank still needs to cycle on it’s own, correct? it will just take much faster?

That’s everything i’ve done so far. Crossing my fingers that this time it will work and i will be able to add a betta fish friend in the next 3 -4 weeks.

 

3 gallons is a bit small…

Hi there,
My 3 gallon was a piece of trash and i happily threw it in the garbage
I have since gotten a 5 gallon. That is what I am working with now

 

Hi there,
My 3 gallon was a piece of trash and i happily threw it in the garbage
I have since gotten a 5 gallon. That is what I am working with now

Great!

 

Decided to get some seachem purigen to help with the very strong tannin colouration… it’s a little too brown for me!
And yes, i picked up my snails, betta and plants as well! Currently acclimating everything but will post pictures in the next few minutes

 

Decided to get some seachem purigen to help with the very strong tannin colouration… it’s a little too brown for me!
And yes, i picked up my snails, betta and plants as well! Currently acclimating everything but will post pictures in the next few minutes

So excited!!!!

 

Here we go! please ignore the dried droplets on the glass aha
I got 2 nerite snails, one onion and one is a funky zebra pattern
Plants:
-Moneywort at the back (it’s a little tall for this tank so i may transfer it to the 50 gal)
-Anubias tucked under the wood, made sure not to cover the rhizome
-I forget what the other one is called, but i planted that one too. looks like grass lol

And finally.. meet Loki He’s already very curious but also very camera shy, it’s hard to get a good picture but the close up is the best i could do for now. I think he approves of his new home.
I must say it is my first time with real plants in an aquarium… they are a pain in my arse to plant.

 

So it turns out Loki has quite the personality. He’s warmed up to me very fast and has a bubble nest in the corner of the tank.
One of his favourite places to be is snug tight under the anubias. He makes me laugh.
Thought I’d share a couple more photos, as this will probably be my last post in this thread. Will probably end up making a thread dedicated to my very distinguished twin-tailed gentleman.