cycling a fish tank?

Question

to cycle my tank is there anyway to do it at my house i dont mind taking my betta out for a day or two and btw its a 10 gallon tank and theres a heater filter a plant and a decor. Im wondering how do i cycle it before my fish dies. Btw he is extremely healthy right now so i dont want to ruin it

Answer 1

No problem. 10 gallons is big for one betta. Keep him in a temporary home for now. At least 2 gallons would be optimum, but even a 1 gallon will suffice as just a temporary home for the few weeks that it will take for your tank to cycle. He will be healthier in there than in a cycling tank.

To cycle your tank, all you have to do is add an ammonia source and wait. This ammonia source can be: fish food (even if there's no fish in there); a piece of rotting shrimp (disgusting, I know); or pure ammonia (which you can usually get from a hardware store). Once you have added one of these things to your tank, just keep your filter running and wait. Test your water for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates daily - when they read 0, 0 and nitrates are less than 20, your tank is fully cycled and you can put your fish back in.

Answer 2

Since you already have the fish, you really have no choice except to cycle the tank with the fish. There is absolutely no reason to take your fish out "for a day or two". Cycling a tank takes a minimum of 4 weeks. Your tank won't "mature" for at least 2 months!

Your tank will naturally cycle. The beneficial bacteria will colonize as your fish produces waste. There is a way of cycling the tank without fish, but you've already got a fish so you'll be cycling with your current pet. You'll need to pay very close attention to your water chemistry and test and change your water frequently over the next few weeks.

It's mandatory that you purchase ammonia and nitrite test kits. Liquid are most accurate and you need accuracy especially since your fish's health depends upon it. Keep a few (3 or 4) gallons of distilled bottled water on hand at all times. Check your ammonia and nitrite levels every 2 days. Any time ammonia is above .25, dilute the water by replacing a gallon of tank water with the bottled distilled water.

This link: http://fins.actwin.com/mirror/begin-cycling.html
will explain the nitrogen cycle in detail.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Since you already have a fish,leave him in the tank,just don't get anymore until the cycle has completed.You will need a test kit,you can get master test kit on line for about $15,they are like $30 at a pet store.A master test kit has all the tests you will need:ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,p.h.Because the fish will die if you let the ammonia or nitrite levels get too high,change 25% of the water every day.The fish food and the fish waste will provide the ammonia needed to start the cycle.With all of the water changes needed to keep the fish alive,the whole cycle will probably take 6 to 8 weeks.When the ammonia and nitrite levels are both 0ppm,the cycle has completed,and it will be safe to add more fish.


Fishlore.com has a very good article on how to cycle with fish.

Answer 4

Do you have a pets at residing house shop close to you? There are some various issues you ought to purchase and can aslo be able to locate them someplace else. one element you ought to purchase is a organic and organic filtration booster that's a liquid in fact containing good micro organism which you would be able to upload on your tank to furnish that extra advantageous micro organism to interrupt down the fishes waste. you additionally can get a water cleanser that helps destroy down ammonia and nitrites. yet another element you will get is clear out help it rather is a liquid which you put in your tank for brand spanking new filters that havn't outfitted up good micro organism yet. you additionally can get some thing observed as rigidity coat or you may desire to get aquarium salt (for freshwater fish, API do a great one) which the two help to cut back rigidity tiers in the fish which may be brought about by utilising the ammonia tiers etc which would be in the tank on the 2d (because it hasn't been cycled). this could merely cause them to much less probably to die from rigidity on my own however no longer from ammonia or nitrite poisoning itself. verify the labels however because of the fact i'm no longer one hundred% effective you need to use them unexpectedly yet you're able to apply a mixture of a few of them. i comprehend you will no longer be able to apply aquarium salt with tonics because of the fact tonics contain salt as nicely so which you would be including too a lot to the tank. besides i desire that helps! i could clarify on your sister that there is the probability that some or each and all the fish might die because of the fact the water hasn't had threat to cycle yet and in the event that they do then with a bit of luck which will coach her for next time. Remind her it is not any longer merely the fish yet her money too! good good fortune!

Answer 5

Cycling a tank takes several weeks and longer if you try to do it with fish in it. Get a small container for the Betta and do a fish-less cycle on the ten gallon tank.And do your homework,all the information you need is on the web, you need to learn how to find it.

Answer 6

you dont need to cycle a tank.

Answer 7

take weeks man here a site that will help ya not kill so many fish http://www.oscarfish.com