[nield2]

Hello betta lovers,

I am going to try to cycle my 2g tank, but I have two questions:

1 - I've done a lot of reading about cycling but don't understand completely what "media" is or how it should be used. I have a Whisper 1-3 Gallon filter that comes with instructions to change the filter pad weekly. Is the refill what is considered "media"? If I have a cycled tank/am trying to cycle my tank, does that mean I should actually not change the filter but use the same one so it reintroduces the good bacteria, or will there be enough bacteria in the tank that I can change the filter? Should I be inserting an additional sponge into the filter so that I can change the refill but keep the added pad and therefore good bacteria? I should also add that I do already have a sponge in the intake of the filter to slow the current, so could this already serve that purpose or should I change it weekly as well? Just not sure what the "media" is on this particular filter.

2 - I have used Jungle Start Right to condition my water (recommended 10 drops per gallon, so 20 drops). However, I bought Seachem Prime because it is so highly recommended for cycling. When I add new water should I still be conditioning with Start Right and then add the Prime? This would be:

-Original 20 drops Start Right with 4 drops Prime,
-Add 4 drops Prime each additional day until cycled
-(not sure on this part) Once cycled, for 50% water changes I would use 10 drops Start Right and 4 drops Prime, not adding anything again until I have to recycle or change 50% water the next week

Or, should I stop using Start Right and switch completely to Prime?

 

[Aqua Aurora]

1- media is whats in your filter: if its a sponge filter its the sponge material, in a hob (hang on back, canister filter, and the in tank water fall sorta filters (like you have) you can use different media:foam/sponge(don't use kitchen sponges-they often are impregnated with detergents), bio/ceramic media, filter floss, carom/charcoal bags (lease useful for beneficial bacteria). You don't have to stick with the media type that goes with your filter, you an get different media and make it fit (cut foam/sponge, or use bio/ceramic media). Ignore any direction about changing media once a week or month. You can use foam/sponge/filter floss until it breaks down (takes several months) but it may need wrung out in removed tank water (at a water cahnge) once in a while as they can get clogged and reduce flow. Bio/ceramic media never breaks down and should never be replaced. Carbon/charcoal bags are used to catch fine particles and help remove some things from the water (like old medicine) they do not do anything to remove/reduce ammonia/nitrite/nitrate themselves BUT those carbon/charcoal have a max capacity before they no longer take up chemicals ans such ans instead release them into the water. How long that takes varies by amount of carbon/charcoal you have and what all is in the tank. Personally I'd toss them and get some foam/sponge media at least. If it does not come with it, buy a thick piece of filter foam/sponge and cut it to fit like a sock over the intake-this will give extra breed grounds for the beneficial bacteria AND prevent future betta fins from getting sucked in and damaged (also keeps dwarf shrimp species from going up the filter).

2-You do not need both, just one of them (i'd recommend prime-love the stuff). If you plan to do a fish-in cycle I'd just use Seachem prime, it will safely bind ammonia and nitrite allowing beneficial bacteria and plants to absorb it, but not harm the fish.

If you are not doing a fish-in cycle what are you using to cycle the tank? fish food? raw fish/shrimp? pure ammonia?

 

[nield2]

1 - Media makes perfect sense now. Thank you!! I will probably toss the refills and use some kind of sponge.

2 - I will be doing fish-in cycling so I will just switch to Prime. Thank you

 

[RussellTheShihTzu]

Read this tutorial. It wil tell you everything you need.

http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=555434

 

[nield2]

Following to a T! Thanks!

 

[RussellTheShihTzu]

Isn't that a great, easy-to-understand tutorial? Let us know how it goes.

 

[nield2]

I will! The tutorial really is the best--so easy. We are slowly cycling, and except for a little fin biting, my betta Edwin is looking happy in there!