Yes, that looks good. 👍

I’d test every day or so for a week just to make sure you don’t see an ammonia or nitrite spike, then maybe one or twice for a week after that. Then go to a regular schedule. (I test my tanks once a week. But some people do every other week as long as the fish are acting healthy.) As long as ammonia says low (under 0.25) and nitrite is 0 (blue) and there is some nitrate (orange), then yes. I’d say you are cycled. 😀

Also, if it were my tank, I’d still add Prime as per tank volume (2 drops per gallon) every 48 hrs for a week just to be safe. It won’t hurt anything. 😀

 

Also, I wouldn’t worry about a water change right away unless you see ammonia or nitrite over 0.25 on the test. The nitrates that you have now should be able to handle things. Just go to a regular change schedule. (I usually do water changes once a week except for my fin nipper, Ralph, who gets 2x week to avoid infections. Ralph is beautiful but high maintenance. 🙄)

 

Thank you fore the advice! I read that it sometimes takes 4-6 weeks to cycle a tank but I did mine in 2 weeks? Is that correct to say?

For the water changes, if all readings are good, should I do 25%. 50%? Once a week? I haven't done a change yet where I suction the gravel for poop, etc. When do I do that? With a 25 or 50% water change? Is there ever a need for a 100% water change?

Now that I have arrived at this point of a cycled tank, I don't want to screw it up!

++My betta is making crazy amounts of bubbles at the top now too so I assume that means he is happy?!

 

Wow!!! 😳 Two weeks is fast!!I I’m surprised you have nitrates….In that case, definitely keep up water tests for a bit (a week or two) just to make sure things stay stable and add the Prime every 48 hours just to be in the safe side.

For a 5 gallon with one betta, (who doesn’t shred his own tail 🙄), I’d do a 30% vacuum (suction for poo) change once a week.

Um….If you haven’t done any vacuum cleanings yet (suctioning the poo), I’d wait a day or so and then do a 30% change to start a once a week routine. There is some good bacteria in the gravel bed that might get suctioned, but there should be enough bacteria in the filter, on the plants, tank walls etc to hold the cycle. 🤔 Just don’t go too crazy with the vacuuming and definitely don’t clean off any plants, glass tank walls, decorations or do anything to clean or change the filter.

I usually change about 30% on my cycled tanks once a week (except for Ralph). 🙄 I use sponge filters so I squeeze them out in tank water about once a month. What kind of filter are you using?

There is no reason to ever do a 100% water change on a cycled tank other than some sort of toxin getting into the water. A water change that big really isn’t good for the fish (temperature, Ph etc could be too far off). 🐠

A bubble nest is a good sign. 😀 Sick betas aren’t thinking about making nests to breed, so it indicates your boy is healthy and happy. What’s his name? 😀

 

I am starting to get algae on the sides of the tank but don't clean it? I don't like the "spots" it is making. I got a nerite snail about two weeks ago and Bastoni attacked and killed it. What do I do?

 

Thank you again so much for the feedback! I will definitely follow the advice!

His name is Bastoni (sticks in Italian) and is named after my favorite soccer player

I have an AC20 filter baffled with a sponge and also have media in the filter (sponge, biomax, sponge, old filter too). I have noticed over the last 24 hours since he has built up this big bubble nest a biofilm layer. Do I need to remove the biofilm? Is biofilm a sign to do a water change?

 

Bastoni is adorable! He has great color and looks very healthy…. And Wow! That’s quite a nest. 🤩

Not sure about the biofilm…. It could possibly just be a harmless residue from the water conditioners. 🤔. Luckily, it doesn’t seem to be negatively affecting Bastoni. 🐠😀

I haven’t seen biofilm on any of my own tanks so I’m not 100% sure……But If it were me, I’d do the water change tonight or tomorrow and see if it’s still there and then update.

 

OK, thank you! I'll do the 30% water change while suctioning substrate and retest!

 

Congratulations on your little guy. You could drop on the surface an almond / catappa leaf. He’ll then tend to build his bubble nest under the leaf instead. Otherwise, when you clean the tank, you’ll destroy his bubbles.

 

Thanks. I have a few cattapas in there already but they sink after a while...

 

Thank you again so much for the feedback! I will definitely follow the advice!

His name is Bastoni (sticks in Italian) and is named after my favorite soccer player

I have an AC20 filter baffled with a sponge and also have media in the filter (sponge, biomax, sponge, old filter too). I have noticed over the last 24 hours since he has built up this big bubble nest a biofilm layer. Do I need to remove the biofilm? Is biofilm a sign to do a water change?

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Good job, tanks cycle faster with "fish in" cycle.
The biofilm is becuz of low water flow from filter thats not disturbing the top layer, but bettas dont like fast water flow. Its nothing really to be concerned about, its gonna happen.
I bought live plants from pet store and I got some free riders which turned out to be bladder snails. I had a nerite snail and biofilm, and with the help of extra snails it helps to keep the glass clean and keeps the biofilm at a minimum. U will see the bladder snails upside down hanging/ floating just under the water, they are eating the biofilm.
Its best to get a small snail now, maybe small nerite snail before you start seeing algae, once u see algae, its hard to get rid of and limit the lightning to about 7 ish hours /day. If lights left on too long algae will start. Dont go for the other snails, they are a headache. Nerite and or small bladder snails are all you need. Ive had different free snails from petstore plants and really like the bladder snails.
Ive had 5 gal, betta tank, small danios going for over a year, glass is clean and no algae, bladder snails are doing their job with the biofilm, and its also a Walstad tank, but its an option. If interested in Walstad tank, search Google.

 

I got a nerite snail and within 5 minutes my betta attacked and killed it! I figure it must not like tank mates right?

 

Best thing you can do is dont over feed.
They will try and con you, dont fall for it.
looks like you and your boy are doing great.
Best of luck

 

I would say you’re ok now to clean off the algae from the inside of the glass. 😀 I just wouldn’t change the filter for another week or so. To clean my glass, I use a little sponge with a handle they sell at the pet store….Be careful of regular grocery store sponges because some have soap/disinfectant in them…..and NEVER use soap on your tank equipment…It can kill your fish. 😢 I use the blue sponge I brought at the pet store then run it under hot water and dry it off with a paper towel…Usually, I dip it in siphoned out (“dirty”) tank water to “rinse it out” each time before I use it to clean my tank. 😀

Poor snail (SIP). 😔
Some bettas are like that. 🥺 I guess Bastoni loves his new home so much he wants to keep it all for himself. 🐠

Are you still testing occasionally? I usually test all my tanks once a week (as long as the fish look/act healthy)….But I know a lot of people test once every 2weeks. 🐠😀

 

OK, thanks. Yes- I just tested yesterday and it's all perfect!

 

Awesome! 😀🐠