How To Keep Filter Cycled?

[-FighterFishh]

Hello all!
Today one of my males in my divided tank passed away.
I'd like to get a new boy, but I won't be able to get him until next Thursday at the earliest. How will I be able to keep the filter cycled until then? Will I need to add anything (food or something) or should it be okay to leave it?
Thank you!

Chai

 

[CezzaXV]

Assuming you've not got any other fish in there, you will need to add something in there to keep it cycled. Fish food works in an emergency for a fishless cycle, but by the time it rots down into ammonia, your bacteria will have died back/off anyway. Bottled ammonia is the way to go.

 

[-FighterFishh]

I do have another male in the other side. Would I be able to put him in one side for two days, then the other side for another two? Both sides have a filter and heater in them and are decorated similarly so it wouldn't be too different for him.

 

[CezzaXV]

Are the two sides sharing the same water? If so, there'll be ammonia for the bacteria to process, so the bacteria won't die off completely, they'll just die back to sufficient numbers to process whatever ammonia is being created. It'll be fine, though you'll need to watch your parameters for a few days after getting your new betta to check for a mini-cycle.

If the divider is blocking water flow from one side to the other, it may be worth removing it if you can for the time being.