Betta in Community tank., cycling question?
Firstly, my 15g tank is “fishless cycling” now. I got 2 small pieces of my friend’s filter medium, and left it in my own. Also, i put fish food in every 6-12 hours. Can i add in fish during this process? i would stop adding in the fish food. Maybe 3 zebra danios? then another 3 in 1-2 weeks?
Also, for my tank, i want to put a betta in. I read that they will jump out. They always jump? or will they jump if stressed. How much space between the top and water level should i leave?
Hmmm. im not too sure. im hoping to get some test kits today. but do i get a master test kit or just for some chemicals?
Is there a replacement for Zebra Danios that won’t nip? pref. colourful?
What does it mean by “interrupting a cycle”. Will that have any major effects on it?
How much do the tests generally cost, and most stores would stock them right?
finally, what should my first fish be.
im thinking of
4 Cories
1 Betta
5-6 Neons
5-6 White Clouds?
so i start with 3-4 White clouds?
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if you’re doing a fishless cycle, you need to do a FISHLESS cycle, meaning you can’t get impatient and add fish halfway through. using PURE ammonia will be a lot faster than fish food…. how far along in the cycle are you?
if you get zebra danios, you should not get a betta. zebra danios can be super nippy.
I have bettas in all my tanks, and only 2 have lids. I’ve never had a jumper. however, there are MANY bettas that do jump. most people fill the tank to the bottom of the black rim on the top.
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API master test kit is highly recommended for accuracy and because the tests last longer…. however all you need is ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.
nothing else really matters unless you’re getting a super sensitive fish who needs a very specific pH, ect….
there are lots of options to keep with your betta… however are you planning on interrupting your cycle or waiting until it finishes?
small peaceful tetras work, like neons, cardinals, black neons, glowlight tetra, lemon tetra, harlequin rasboras, celestial pearl rasboras… avoid barbs, most danios, and nippy tetras like serpae.
bottom dwellers are great too. kuhli loaches are one of my favs.
15gallons have the footprint of a 20gallon (as long as you have a standard 15g) so you can add most fish that are okay for a 20gallon, just stock slightly lighter than you would a 20gallon.
there are many fish that are compatible as betta tankmates. The four rules that you can use to determine whether a fish is compatible are
1) Not colorful or resemble a rival betta’s colors (guppies)
2) Not a fin nipper (Tiger barbs are a big NO)
3) The right size for the size of the tank (No common plecos in a 10 gallon tank since they get to 2 feet in length)
4) Lives roughly in the same water conditions as a betta (no brackish/saltwater fish)
more info here