Cycling Betta Tank Vs Water Changes

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Ok, I may have a bit of a stupid question.

We have to keep our betta in a cycled tank, yet we have to do 100% water changes every week or two weeks (the time is not relevant for the question); but then what is the point of cycling a tank if we have to do 100% water changes weekly? The tank can’t cycle in a week.

So I’m a little confused.

 

[BethK]

Why you doing 100% water changes in the first place?

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Well I'm not.

But I've seen recommendations of clean 50% out mid week and then 100% at the weekend (example), or change 20% our every day/every other day and then 100% water change.

I'm just wondering is it;

a) better to cycle and keep doing small water changes or

b) to do several small water changes and then a 100% water change weekly/fortnightly?

 

[BethK]

Dunno

I change 2 ltrs every 4 - 5 days and it's all cushdy in there but I have 5 tetras and a catfish too.

I'm sure someone will come along and advise right, though x

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I actually think the 100% water changes are for tanks with no filter and smaller water changes for tanks with a filter.

I have my fish in a cycled tank with a filter. But I'm wondering for other people or for betta's in general which method is best and why?

 

[BethK]

Ahh I got ya now. My very first betta, I had no filter or heater but I lived in a naturally hot country and changed his water 100% every 3 days with no issues.

I find with my now betta that changing small amounts every 4 days works perfectly fine x

 

[ellena]

what is the point of cycling a tank if we have to do 100% water changes weekly? The tank can’t cycle in a week

I think you're getting confused about what is cycling. It's the filter, not the water. In a tank with no filter, it can't cycle.
So, regular, large water changes required to keep ammonia under control.
In a tank with a cycled filter, 25% a week should be sufficient, you're only doing it to prevent build up of nitrates from the nitrogen cycle and other trace elements.
As for which works best, I know I'd rather watch my fish all week and change the water once, than have to do it every few days and worry about what it was doing to his gills in the meantime

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

So for example if you had a cycled tank and changed 100% of the water, it would no longer be cycled, or it would?

My tank is actually cycled and I do smaller water changes. I obviously just got confused about the "put him into a cycled tank and change 100% of the water" - I was wondering how it could be cycled AND needing to change 100% of the water.

 

[Tolak]

Your water does not cycle. Cycling refers to growing a colony of nitrifying bacteria in the filter media large enough to sustain the bio load of the fish in the tank. Your filter media cycles. The large water changes with bettas is for tanks with no filters, thus having no filter media to cycle.

 

[Inchworm]

In a tank with a cycled filter, 25% a week should be sufficient, you're only doing it to prevent build up of nitrates from the nitrogen cycle and other trace elements.

Yes, but there's more to keeping a tank well maintained than just that. When you do water changes you are also removing uneaten food bits, plant debris, and fish waste products. This keeps the environment clean, raises the oxygen content, and decreases the chances that you are providing a home for potentially harmful bacteria.

There is no need to worry that you are changing too much water. The fish are constantly absorbing water and peeing. As soon as you finish the water change there will quickly be a new supply of ammonia entering the water and feeding the beneficial bacteria as it flows through the media.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I try to change 20-30% of my water every day/every other day (maybe a little more, percentage wise).

 

[ellena]

So for example if you had a cycled tank and changed 100% of the water, it would no longer be cycled, or it would?

My tank is actually cycled and I do smaller water changes. I obviously just got confused about the "put him into a cycled tank and change 100% of the water" - I was wondering how it could be cycled AND needing to change 100% of the water.

It would still be cycled. The water has nothing to do with cycling. You could take the filter and put it in a new tank, then that one would be cycled. It's all about the filter and nothing to do with the water
Do you have a filter in your tank?

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

It would still be cycled. The water has nothing to do with cycling. You could take the filter and put it in a new tank, then that one would be cycled. It's all about the filter and nothing to do with the water
Do you have a filter in your tank?

Ahh see that is what I was wondering about the water; I know it's all to do with the filter; I just wondered if once it was cycled and you did a 100% water change did this still class as cycled (not that I am going to do it; but I just wondered). You answered my question . Thank you.

Yes my tank has a filter in it; Paddy (my fish) on occasion flares at it as well hehe. The current is not strong but suprisingly he flares at the bottom of it (where the sponges are) as opposed to the but where the current comes out of - I'd have thought he'd do it the other way around .