cycle question

[caterpillar5]

Is it possible to cycle a bottomless unfiltered tank?

 

[gadazobe]

I'm not sure what you mean by bottomless. Could you please explain.

 

[caterpillar5]

i mean bare bottom tank as in no substrate... thx

 

[gadazobe]

With only water and no filter - there isn't much for the good bacteria to grow on nd they won't be aereated either. What are you puting in the tank?

 

[caterpillar5]

i want to put a male betta in there, dont want to put gravel in so then it will be easier to clean, no filter because he most likely wont be happy with its current. but want it to cycle so i dont have to do 100% water changes every few days.
By the way the tank is 20 litres

 

[gadazobe]

Why don't you use a small sponge filter? I don't think you can cycle a tank with nothing in it

 

[caterpillar5]

to me even the small sponge filters make enough current for my betta to be unhappy so i really dont know what to do... and in addition the sponge filters i have access to dont come in very small sizes. Smallest is suitable for a 15G tank

 

[gadazobe]

Looks like you're going to have to do frequent water changes.