2.5 gallon tank for betta-cycling Q's.

[MrNitrite]

I took the 2.5 from the garage and set it up in the bedroom. Before I get the betta, should I cycle it? It has gravel and a couple of small rocks. Can a tank of this size without filtration or aeration stay cycled or does it depend on frequent water changes to keep the ammonia levels down?

[DragonFish71]

Smaller tanks are harder to maintain. But, yes, you should let it cycle before adding a betta. With that small of a tank you should treat it like a fish bowl. Water changes more often than you would on a larger tank. Personally I would still use a filter. Petco carries nano filters for up to 3g tanks. I have a betta in a 1g with a mini-filter on it.

[MrNitrite]

OK thanks Dragon. Well, can I do a fishless cycle by using water from the 20 gallon while it cycles? The big tank still has no nitrites yet-only ammonia.

[fort384]

Adding anything from your 20 will help speed up the cycle as that tank has a jump already.

However, just putting the water in won't work. The bacteria must have a source of ammonia to consume or they will die. So, if you are going to fishless cycle the 2.5 gal, you need to add a source of ammonia (dead fish, piece of shrimp, some pure ammonia from the hardware store).