i wanna cycle my tank but i dont have a testing kit. can i just put fish food in there and leave it for a month and then put my betta in. and when im cycling, do i need to use filter?
2007-12-15 16:06:15 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
Yes you need a filter.And a heater for a Beta.If you are using fish food,you need to add it every 12 hours.The decomposing food releases ammonia which is what the bacteria consume.With out it the bacteria will not survive,and the cycle will crash.Petco does water tests for free.Having your own kit is easier though.I would not add fish until you are sure the cycle has completed.Beta are pretty tough though,a little ammonia and nitrite probably won't kill it.But then again it might.
2007-12-15 16:16:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A month might not be quite long enough,but what you want to do is possible. A filter might not be necessary,but some sort of aeration will be needed,and probably a heater, too. You can hurry the process along just a little bit by adding ammonia, instead of fish food. Only add a few drops,then wait a few days,and add a few more. Use only plain ammonia(probably the generic household type) and don't over-do it.
I'd allow 5 or even 6 weeks for this to work,but it will work. The important things are the temperature(high 70's F) and aeration just a bubbler will work,but a small filter might be less expensive.
2007-12-15 17:14:34 · answer #2 · answered by PeeTee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here are two good sites about cycling your tank. Do not put a pleco in it as they are very sensitive to ammonia and it will die. The betta can go in if you decide to cycle with the fish or wait if you go with the fishless cycle. Be sure you have a heater and filter and at least 5 gallons in the tank. He will also appreciate live plants and a cave to swim around and through.
http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php
http://www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/profiles/misc/fishlesscycling.html
2007-12-15 17:13:19 · answer #3 · answered by aqua 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do you have a pets at abode keep close to you? There are some a number of issues you ought to purchase and would aslo have the skill to discover them someplace else. one ingredient you ought to purchase is a organic and organic filtration booster it is a liquid in fact containing good bacteria which you would be able to upload on your tank to furnish that extra bacteria to interrupt down the fishes waste. you additionally can get a water cleanser that enables smash down ammonia and nitrites. yet another ingredient you will get is filter out help it is a liquid which you put in your tank for sparkling filters that havn't outfitted up good bacteria yet. you additionally can get something pronounced as rigidity coat or you ought to get aquarium salt (for freshwater fish, API do an outstanding one) which the two help to lessen rigidity tiers interior the fish which could be brought about by making use of the ammonia tiers etc which would be interior the tank on the 2nd (because it hasn't been cycled). this would in basic terms lead them to much less in all probability to die from rigidity on my own regardless of the undeniable fact that no longer from ammonia or nitrite poisoning itself. examine the labels regardless of the undeniable fact that because of the fact i'm no longer a hundred% confident you ought to use them without notice yet you're able to apply a mixture of a few of them. i understand you could no longer use aquarium salt with tonics because of the fact tonics contain salt besides so which you would be including too plenty to the tank. besides i'm hoping that enables! i'd clarify on your sister that there is the probability that some or all the fish would 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 instruct her for next time. Remind her it is no longer in basic terms the fish yet her money too! good success!
2016-11-03 10:29:49 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could get a cheap fish or two and put them in there to help cycle the tank. I use a few neon tetras.
2007-12-15 17:53:42 · answer #5 · answered by Pixie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, use a filter ...don't know if you can cycle a tank without fish in it. The fish creates waste which helps cycle the tank.
Cheers.
2007-12-15 16:11:52 · answer #6 · answered by babsie b 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
How big is the tank?
What else are you putting in there?
2007-12-15 16:09:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋