When it comes to cycling your tank for your Betta fish many things may come to mind. You might also wanna know about, “Can a Betta fish survive a tank cycle?”
“Yes,” will be the answer. A betta fish can make it through a tank cycle. This tank cycling process can take only 1 day, so that will not hurt your Betta.
Betta can survive the cycling but not for so long. For that reason, fishless Cycling is more secure for Betta fish. Below we’ll find out the reasons and also some tips to improve your tank Cycling.
How to Cycle a Betta Fish Tank?
Things that are necessary –
- Filters for aquariums
- Aquarium water that has been conditioned
- Heater
- Ammonia (the pure one)
- A test kit for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH.
Fishless Cycling Process for Betta in Aquarium
Step 1: The first step is to set up the aquarium.
First, you’ve to choose a spot where the aquarium can get the sunlight.
Make sure the surface is smooth and firm. As you don’t want to invest in something that cannot support the weight of your tank.
To accommodate the filter, leaving a five-inch gap between the aquarium and the wall.
Step 2: Properly install your filter
The instructions on filters are frequently inadequate. If you facing any difficulties to set up your filter you can watch YouTube videos for a better understanding.
When the tank is completely filled with water that time, turn off your filter.
Step 3: Install the Gravel.
To remove the dust from your clog filter you have to rinse your gravel with cold water. Soap should not be used.
Then fill the tank with gravel.
Remember that you’ll need at least two inches of gravel if you’re using real plants. One inch will be enough for silk plants.
Step 4: Proper amount of ammonia.
For starting you must first add ammonia to the tank. Ammonia will give the food for the nitrifying bacteria that you want for our proper filtration system.
5 ppm is the perfect amount of ammonia for any aquarium. API Freshwater Aquarium Water Master can utilize that amount for the aquarium.
You can use API Freshwater Aquarium Water Master as it’s quite dependable and precise for anyone. You can find out all the instructions listed with its kit.
Step 5: Check your Aquarium’s water for nitrites.
As you used your ammonia in the aquarium now it’s time to wait. You can wait until the microbes come and devour the ammonia.
Until getting the nitrite 4 to 5 ppm you need to check it out every 24 hours, that’s a very important step and you need to pay full attention to this.
You might be wondering how much it will take? Then let me clear the probable time for it, usually, it can take four to five days but sometimes it can take a week.
Step 6: Another dose to the remaining bacteria.
When you see the reading is about 4 to 5 ppm of nitrite, that means now you’ve nitrite food for the left helpful bacteria to disband them into less hazardous outgrowth.
Because the bacteria which was at the beginner level that developed has absorbed the ammonia, it should now be low, or 0 ppm.
Step 7: Give the cycle enough time
When the nitrate level is between 4-5 ppm, that time your aquarium is almost cycled. So, when you give double doses of ammonia at that point your nitrate level also rises in the following 2 to 3 days. When that happens, you can be sure that the aquarium is cycled now.
Step 8: Install your heater
If you’re done with your filter, so now filled the tank with water. You must care about the water circulation, it must have to be smooth and gentle.
Then you can choose the best heater for your fish and set up it in an appreciative way. It’s very likely that your heater will come with suction cups to help you attach it to the aquarium. Set the temperature to between 78 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, as directed in the instructions.
Place your thermometer in a convenient location where you can readily monitor the temperature.
Step 9: Finishing touches on your decorations
Your Betta will enjoy swimming in a tank that includes tunnels for hiding and plants with plenty of shady spots.
Use fake plants if you’re unable to use real plants. However, silk plants should be used instead of plastic ones.
For your Betta fish, you can also use LED lights.
Step 10: Time to place the fish
You’ve set up all of the necessary equipment for your Betta fish and are also fully cycled. So now is the ideal time to introduce your Betta fish into the tank.
Here is a video for your better understanding. You can check out this also.
Methods for Getting Your Fishless Cycling Done Quickly
The best way to speed up the fishless cycling process in your fish tank is to make and keep a healthy environment for beneficial bacteria so that they can grow and reproduce quickly.
To develop and maintain an ideal setting for helpful bacteria, you only need to keep three things in mind.
1. Maintain a temperature range of 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Maintain an aquarium temperature range of 65° to 85° Fahrenheit. Because good bacteria can live at temperatures between 65°F and 85°F (18°C and 29°C), they need a range of temperatures between 65°F and 85°F (18°C and 29°C).
If your fish tank drops below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, the good bacteria won’t be able to grow.
That’s why keeping your fish tank at a temperature above 65 degrees Fahrenheit is crucial for speeding up the nitrogen cycle.
2. A well-oxygenated fish tank
You can use an air pump in your fish tank to ensure that your fish tank is sufficiently oxygenated. Because the nitrifying bacteria that keep your fish tank circulating are living things.
Betta fish need to be dissolved in oxygen to survive in the fish tank. That’s why it’s really important to manage a well,-oxygenated fish tank.
The air pump will blow air into your fish tank, causing water agitation on the surface of the tank. Because gas exchange occurs on the surface of your fish tank’s water, your fish tank will be well oxygenated.
3. The pH level should be more than 7 PPM.
If the pH of the water in your fish tank is less than 7 PPM, the beneficial bacteria in your tank will not develop.
That is why, when cycling your fish tank, it is critical to monitor the pH of the water on a regular basis.
If the pH level of the water in your aquarium is below 7 PPM after testing it, a partial water change of roughly 20% of the water in your aquarium can raise the pH level above 7 PPM.
Things to Consider Before Cycling Your Betta in Aquarium
- Betta fish dislike fast-moving water or currents. So a gentle aquarium filter or one with an adjustable flow is preferable.
- Installing a heater in an aquarium is essential. Fluctuations might be harmful to the health of your fish. This is the function of the aquarium heater, which has a thermostat that ensures a constant correct temperature even if the temperature in your home fluctuates.
- If you buy ammonia from a store, make sure it’s pure ammonia and not “cleaning ammonia,” which may contain soaps, also known as surfactants, which are harmful to your aquarium.
- Before cycling your aquarium, check your water parameters /water condition.
- Before you start cycling your aquarium, you should check the water characteristics, including pH, heating, and hardness.
- Your aquarium should be all set up, with your filter switched on and running (the filter should never be turned off once on). Again, your aquarium will not cycle without a filter; visit our filtration page to learn why this is so vital.
- Most fake aquarium plants are made of plastic, which makes them sharp. If you buy plastic plants, make sure they don’t have any sharp edges on the leaves. The fins of any Betta fish are kinda weak so any sharp things can cut their fins easily.
Conclusion
“Can a Betta fish survive a tank cycle?” If it is the query. The answer will be “Of course”, Your Betta fish may be able to withstand the tank cycle process, but it may be unhealthy for them.
Fishless cycling, on the other hand, is the safest method of tank cycling. which then proceeded to the next steps:
1. Set up the aquarium and filter
2. Make the Gravel
3. Use only a small amount of ammonia.
4. The list goes on.
I hope you’ve figured out all the answers to your concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Can I Know if My Tank Has Cycled?
If the readings for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in your aquarium water indicate 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and some nitrates, your fish tank is cycled.
It normally takes 4 to 6 weeks to cycle a new tank. It can take a long time to cycle your fish tank.
2. Can I Keep a Betta in a Tank That Hasn’t Been Cycled?
Bettas can be kept in uncycled tanks or bowls, as Senior Rojo did previously. You don’t want to operate a filter in an uncycled tank because it will stimulate bacterial growth and the cycling process will start.
3. Is It Necessary to Change the Water During the Cycle?
Opinions differ on whether water changes when riding are recommended but not required. Because bacteria dwell on surfaces, eliminating water has little effect on their growth.
In the early stages of the aquarium’s existence, water changes can assist in reducing the level of ammonia.
You May Also Like:
