Plants With No Filter?

[ellena]

I want to set up a betta bowl with live plants and a jaxamoss coconut cave. I plan to cycle the filter in another tank. Can I get the plants in with heater and light while the filter is cycling elsewhere? I have fertiliser for them.
Thanks

 

[JustKia]

Can't see why not. Make sure you dechlor your water. I'd probably add something to create surface movement to aid gas exchange.
I'm just a bit concerned about the term "betta bowl", bettas need more than a little fish bowl.

 

[pammy172]

Not sure I'd bother with a cave as a betta is highly unlikely to use it. They prefer being near the surface.

 

[ellena]

JustKia, it's 3.2 gallons/12l. I've read varying opinions on here about the minimum, but a fair few of them are below that.
Thanks for the tip pammy-I might go with it anyway just 'cos I think it will look nice and it won't reduce water volume much being hollow

 

[aaronnorth]

it is possible however i would leave it until you gain more experience.
Ammonia will build up and it will cause algae, you could do a 100% water change everyday though.

 

[ellena]

I mean with no fish aaronnorth-would that produce ammonia? I am cycling my sponge from the filter in my other tank, so perhaps I could run the filter with no sponge to provide the surface movement justkia mentions.

 

[aaronnorth]

it could do, if any rotting plant matter is in the water then it will produce ammonia. And it could also fall out of a compound, for example if you used dechlorinator it will produce a tiny but of ammonia.