Do You Need To Cycle A Betta Tank?

[JohnRossDele]

hi all, do you have to cycle a betta tank or will it be ok if i just add him into it?

most websites say you dont need to

 

[Jonty]

every tank should be cycled...

can you get some mature media?

 

[ellena]

Depends on the tank size. I did a fish in cycle with a betta in a 5 gall which is quite low stocking. There were very few massive readings of ammonia or nitrite, although it never did settle down. If you keep a close eye on it and are prepared to do lots of water changes, there's no reason why not.

 

[pippoodle]

bad water quality is the main reason for illness and finrot in bettas - once the finrot takes hold it needs treating right away - so unless you're prepared to do 50% water changes every day then i would cycle the tank - best way to get a happy healthy betta and makes betta keeping less of a chore and more enjoyment

 

[Curiosity101]

I would say that depending on the size of the tank (say over 20l) then there is no NEED to cycle it.

But just to make it easier on you and the betta I would always pre-cycle. That way you aren't doing large daily water changes, and the fish isn't exposed to any toxins unneccesarily.

 

[Assaye]

A betta is like any other tropical fish. If you would cycle a tank for tetras/discus/danios/cichlids, cycle it for a betta.

Many places say you don't need to cycle because betta are the new goldfish - many places advocate keeping them in small spaces as a 'low maintainence' pet. True, bettas can thrive in smaller tanks than most fish but their needs are surrounded by misconceptions and myths.

I would always cycle a betta tank. However, if you can commit to all the necessary water changes, including those times when it needs to be done more than once a day, then you can go without cycling. Bettas are also considered by some hardy enough to handle a fish-in cycle, but I'd never do it. Having had to keep my bettas alive through ammonia/nitrite spikes, I wouldn't be happy to inflict that upon them intentionally.

You also wouldn't be able to leave them for more than a day or so if their tank is uncycled. A holiday would be a no-no. Cycled tanks are so much easier to maintain.

 

[loraxchick]

depending on the size of the tank in question youd have to do every/other day partial waterchanges until the fiiter cycles. obviously if using mature media this rapidly speeds up the process. ive made sponge filters usimg mature media for emergency rescues that i didnt "plan" on, and they cycle within a week (several INSTANTLY) if using mature media.
if youd like info on sponge filter construction/troubleshooting feel free to pm me. or ANYONE else for that matter)
it just makes the fish less of a chore from the get go if you pre-cycle.
cheers

 

[lilacamy931]

Much easier on yourself and the fish if you cycle first or can at least get mature media and try cloning!