Betta's don't need a "bio-cycle"?

[bimmerboy]

As all aquariums require a bio-cycle and beneficial bacteria to remove ammonia... why don't Bettas? As many people keep their betta in a fish bowl (like myself) 100% water changes obviously remove the beneficial bacteria right? I also rinse the decorative stones in dechlorinated water each time so maybe this helps to preserve some beneficial bacteria.

But still, how does a Betta cope with the impendind ammonia/nitrite spikes? Or do weekly water changes take care of this enough for him?

Thanks for any answers.

 

[Koda]

I think the regular water changes keep the toxins under control.I don't always do a 100% water change and when I clean the gravel I either vacc it or rinse it in treated water.Bettas do seem more able than many fish to tolerate poor water conditions as seen in the dirty little cups at many stores.But a betta in a roomy environment with sparkling clean water is magnificent thing and a source of great joy

Koda

 

[luxum]

Bettas are tough little fishes, but they are stressed by continual exposure to ammonia and nitrite. Most of the people i know who keep in them containers that need 100% water changes and have little or no surfaces to retain bacteria have to replace the betta fairly often as they succumb to disease. In my experience they do much better in small filtered cycled tanks that can be heated, with partial water changes.

 

[Draven]

Whats the difference between cycling, or partial water changes?

 

[jacblades]

well even with a cycled tank you still have to do partial water changes. cycling builds up the beneficial bacteria that help keep down ammonia, nitrates and other bad stuff produced by fish waste. with each water change, you dilute the amount of bad stuff so it will not harm you rifsh.

 

[wuvmybetta]

But still, how does a Betta cope with the impendind ammonia/nitrite spikes? Or do weekly water changes take care of this enough for him?

My veiltails all live in cycled tank which get partial water changes. I love cycled tanks!

My breeding stock & my jarred fry on the other hand, they get 100% water changes every 2-3 days. Staying on top of them keeps ammonia from building up. Using Amquel in uncycled tanks is the only way to go

 

[Draven]

But what is cycling?

 

[wuvmybetta]

Draven, I just put a link in your thread about the 2.5's, it will explain a cycle to you.