Can I Risk It?

[Salam]

Last week I reserved a betta in my LFS. The plan was to put him into our mature 10g tank which currently houses platy fry. They are ready to go into the big tank with their parents this weekend. Now, the 10g tank is a kids' type tank, as it originally was my son's birthday present (you know, not very pretty). For a few weeks I have been dreaming about a lovely, stylish tank (fluval chi style). As it is my birthday next week, my husband has offered to buy me a swish tank to house my betta in. The kids' tank can then become a shrimp tank for our son as he is obsessed with them.

Now, rambling...

Basically, we wanted to pick up the betta on Monday. Is it possible to do a fish-in cycle with a betta in it? I know the dangers of fish-in cycling, but I have testing kits at the ready and as the betta tank will be in the kitchen it will be easy to do daily water changes which I am happy to do. I will pledge to test the water twice a day and do large water changes daily, would he be ok then? Or should I wait for my stylish tank and not take the risk? As I said, I know the risks, but if it can be done with a strict regime of testing and water changes, I'd be over the moon.

 

[Livewire88]

It can be done with a strict regime of testing and water changes, but you must keep this up otherwise the fish will likley suffer.

 

[Salam]

I would honestly be very strict with myself and change the water every night / whenever necessary. Would something like Seachem help? That bacteria stuff that you put in that helps the cycling process.

p.s.: I absolutely adore your tank!!!

 

[lilfishie]

Why not house the Betta in the 10gal until the new tank is cycled?

 

[Salam]

Why not house the Betta in the 10gal until the new tank is cycled?

Good question.

A) I am impatient
B) We are both off for the next 10 days so we would have time to sort things out / move tanks etc.

Hm, not good reasons, right? The original plan was to put the betta that we reserved into the mature tank, but I really crave my stylish tank. I won't do it if it can be too dangerous, but I am thinking that bettas as labyrinth fish should be able to survive a possible nitrite spike and I would put in the work involved to keep him healthy.

I know, I know, impatient me...

 

[lilfishie]

being able to breath air won't help with a Nitrite or ammonia problem as its in the water and slowly poisons the fish

 

[Salam]

being able to breath air won't help with a Nitrite or ammonia problem as its in the water and slowly poisons the fish

Ah ok, thought it did. Still learning...

Well, he has bought me a tank. I could set it up and do the fish-in cycle or wait. Decisions, decisions...

 

[MisssMarie]

Why not house the Betta in the 10gal until the new tank is cycled?

+1

 

[Sly13Cat]

I understand what you're saying. I do think that if you're doing giant daily water changes and testing the water twice every day it should be fine. If you plan on going the fish-in way use Seachem Prime as it is a high quality conditioner and it's very good as it makes the toxins much less toxic for about 24h (Double dose for the Spikes). By then the filter should have handled it. A betta in a 10 gallon should be okay and I don't think the spikes would be too large but that means the bacteria colonies would be smaller. A final note, if you suspect and high spikes you should put the betta in a 2 gal min and use pure ammonia, fish food or shimp as a cycling method then add the Betta once cycled. You should research these methods just in case. Of course, this is my opinion and I may be wrong.

Final note: If you can use liquid test kits please do as they are more accurate (so I've heard).

 

[Salam]

So, I have just set up my new cube tank. It looks very swish I am already in love Black background, black fine gravel, live plants.

It is hard to describe why I can't wait, but that's just me. I'd rather put up with the work (water changes) than wait. I know, I can be very immature But knowing that it can be done, I think I'll give it a go.

My LFS also recommended Seachem Prime last time I was there, so will get that. I hope I will be fine, I got an ice cream tub ready for the worst case scenario, but hopefully I won't need it.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

If you put enough live plants in the tank you likely wont need to cycle it. The plants will do most of the work so you will actually need little to no bacteria.

Moreover, live plants usually have bacteria on them and they provide some level of jump start. This is especially true if they came for a known cycled tank. The original articles by Dr. Snow listed live plants as the number 2 way to to seed. While I do not agree its number two, it sure isn't far off. I rate gravel from a proper established tank as number two after filter media and then the plants.

 

[Tolak]

I rate gravel from a proper established tank as number two after filter media and then the plants.

If you have a cycled tank you have cycled media. Take 1/3 of the media from the cycled tank, add it to the new tank. Feed both tanks lightly for a week, keep an eye on water test results.

 

[Salam]

When I set it up last night I added plants from a cycled tank, so it is good to know that will help. Will also see if I can add media. I really just need a bit, as it is a small tank with a small filter compared to the huge one (30g). Thanks all, for not slating me. I can't get out today, but I will pick up the betta tomorrow rather than Monday and get things started.

 

[OldMan47]

The plants will not help much Salam. Try using the advice that Tolak gave you. It has been done repeatedly over the years and has always been good advice. A 1/3 sample from an existing filter can be removed with relative impunity and will give any new filter a giant leg up on getting cycled. It sure beats months of water samples and water changes.

 

[Salam]

Hi,
sorry forgot to update here. I added some media of the mature tank and picked up my betta on Saturday morning. I am also adding Seachem stability. Well, a miracle is happening - I check three times a day and ammonia and nitrite are 0 and Barry my betta seems very happy. I will keep a close eye on the water stats for the next weeks and react accordingly, but at the moment with everything being 0, I don't see why I should change the water daily. I know I have taken a risk with the fish-in cycle, but everything seems fine, so keep your fingers crossed that it stays that way. And I am still off for over a week, so if there are sudden spikes I am ready to change the water instantly.