Betta, Cycling And A Whole Lot Of Java Moss

[Teelie]

I'm no newbie to fish or cycling and I almost always do fishless cycling but in this case I'm not quite sure whether this would be safe. I have a 10g with a sponge filter and enough Java Moss on the bottom of the tank to easily cover 50%+ of the surface while it attaches to rocks for other aquariums. It looks great, just empty of life, besides the moss and I thought about a Betta as a good, colorful bit of life.

I've dechlored the water obviously and got the sponge going but what about ammonia and nitrite levels? I've heard differing things on just what is and is not safe with Bettas and ammonia/nitrite but nothing about when there's an abundance of plants to take up most or at least some of the toxins. I'll be doing regular weekly to every two week water changes on the tank and keeping tabs on parameters but would it still be safe for a Betta given the conditions? I have no spare filter media to use unfortunately or I'd just do that.

 

[DarkEntity]

Treat them as you would every other Tropical fish, they are no different even though there are some very ignorant people/shops/sites that will tell you otherwise.

 

[Teelie]

I would/am, but as I said, the plants are what I am asking about if they make a difference and how much.

 

[nemosworld]

i have java moss with my bettas and their fry. basically, it keeps the water significantly cleaner in between changes. with the moss, i've lost fewer fry in my 2nd spawn than in my first

 

[DarkEntity]

I generally always cycle tanks with plants in them, doesnt harm them or hasn't in all the years ive been doing it.

 

[Teelie]

I generally always cycle tanks with plants in them, doesnt harm them or hasn't in all the years ive been doing it.

Not worried about cycling with the plants, but with the Betta in there.

It is good to know it helps with the fry though. I have Bristlenose fry in another aquarium with some moss and another tank I want to add it to.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

Plants can make a difference, but it's hard for us to say exactly how much because there are a lot of variables. The amount you feed, the temperature of the water, the amount of light the moss receives, etc will all affect how much excess ammonia/nitrites (if any) will be present until cycling is finished. The best thing to do is test frequently.

 

[Teelie]

Plants can make a difference, but it's hard for us to say exactly how much because there are a lot of variables. The amount you feed, the temperature of the water, the amount of light the moss receives, etc will all affect how much excess ammonia/nitrites (if any) will be present until cycling is finished. The best thing to do is test frequently.

I've got everything needed and I need to test CO2, Iron, etc anyways. I'll keep an eye on it though.

 

[Teelie]

This is the Betta and the 10g he's in. Still kind of sparse looking but gives you an idea of the amount of moss. There's more than it appears.