I have lurked on this sub for a while. Just got a 20 gal tank and started cycling it. However, I also got a betta. I know, not responsible at all but she has mismatching fins and I couldn’t just leave her there. When I tested the water in the cup, it’s very bad. Worse than my regular water. It will be a while before her main tank is cycled. Should I get another small tank, like 2.5 while the big one cycles? Should I just do partial water changes in her cup to get those parameters better? I know you all love your bettas and I already love this little lady and want to do what I can to improve her situation. Thank you in advance for the help!
https://i.redd.it/76k7q8ti1o2f1.jpeg
Posted by Lanviei
5 Comments
Tank: 20 gal
Heat/filter: yes to both
Tank temp: 70! (Too low, I know, heater is on!)
Parameters: tank: nitrate – 0, nitrite – 0, hardness – very soft, chlorine – 0, alkalinity – 7.2, tetra easy strips
Just got tank and fish today(not good, I know )
Working on cycling tank
No tank mates, haven’t fed her yet, got some small live plants, no hides or anything as nothing available seemed safe but am ordering a few things tonight. Eventually want to put some tetras in with her.
You cannot keep a betta in a cup for weeks while your tank cycles. Getting a small tank is pointless too cause you’ll just have to do a fish-in cycle with that. Just put her in the 20 gallon and do a fish-in cycle.
[https://www.sosofishy.com/post/a-short-guide-to-fish-in-cycling](https://www.sosofishy.com/post/a-short-guide-to-fish-in-cycling)
It would probably be best to put her in the 20 and start a fish-in cycle. 20 gallons will be pretty forgiving for a single fish if you keep on top of water changes.
Just put in the 20 gallon tank, the more water means the harmful substances will be diluted. Cycle it with API Quick Start or Seachem stability as per the label, those solution can stabilise the water with daily use and your fish can easily survive the fish in cycling.
I was in the same situation. Main tank was not cycled yet and I got a betta (would never do that again). I started fish in cycle – put him there for 3 days while doing daily water change. Anomia was kept around 0.25. But he showed discomfort and became very lazy. His fin began clapping a little bit. That’s when I realized he might not be able to make through the cycle. So I moved him to a 2 gallon hospital tank. The goal was to keep the water there very clean. I did 90% water change for his temporary tank every single day for 2 weeks until the main tank is fully cycled. That’s a lot of daily work especially you need to make sure water parameters/temperature don’t vary much from day to day. But I think I made the right decision. He was able to recover back to normal in the temporary tank and now happily swimming in his main tank.