"fishless cycling" (betta)?

Question

hi all i have got a 5 gallon tank with aqua clear filter. i liek to know how can i start my cycling? i alredy bought the ammonia test kit. Ready for it to start. I liek to know how can i cycling useing with FISH food? does it have to be betta fish flakes food or any fish food flakes? what i need to do first? the tanke is set up with rocks live plants , ect..

Answer 1

Since you want to use fish food, "feed" the tank a pinch of food twice a day. Do not do any water changes to remove the food at any time. This method will probably take six weeks to completely cycle the tank.

You will also need nitrite and nitrate test kits to test the progress of your cycle. After about a week and a half, you should see your ammonia spike to 3-5ppm (though it could be more or less). At this point, you should start testing for nitrites. After nitrites start showing up on your tests, the ammonia levels will start to go down. Nitrite will peak after another week and a half or so. Keep testing until you see nitrates start to form. Once your tank does not show any ammonia or nitrites, and you always see nitrates, it is officially cycled, and it will be safe to add your fish (one at a time). Make sure you do a 20% water change before you add your fish, and continue to do so every week. Check on your ammonia and nitrite levels after you add your fish for the first couple of days.

You can use any fish food you want.

And good job on choosing to do a fishless cycle. I wish more people would choose to do the same, as subjecting fish to the ammonia and nitrite spikes is inhumane and causes permanent damage to the fish. You should give yourself a pat on the back.

Answer 2

You can use anything that will rot and produce ammonia for fishless cycling. It just takes a little longer than using pure ammonia if you're just using food. You can also throw a little piece of salmon in if you have it for dinner.

To start a fishless cycle, you add your ammonia source until you have ammonia levels of 3-5ppm. When you get these levels you just have to wait. Start testing for nitrites when your ammonia levels start to drop. Soon your ammonia levels will reach 0 and your nitrites will spike. When your ammonia levels are 0 add a tiny bit of ammonia each day to feed your newly cultivated bacteria. When your nitrite levels reach 0 do a 80% water change and you are ready to add your fish safely!

To speed up your cycle, add some gravel or filter media from an already established tank. You can also add some Stability or BioSpira to get a quick cycle.

Answer 3

you may placed smaller fish in it really is not colourful nd that doesn't have enormous fins. The betas get aggressive. yet you extremely won't be able to placed betas mutually they'll strive against no count number in the journey that they are male of woman.

Answer 4

just add your ammonia!! GOOD LUCK!!!