Not yet. When you see some Nitrite, you can say it started cycling. Do you have a heater? Beneficial bacteria grow faster in warmer water. You can follow this tutorial


http://www.bettafish.com/30-betta-fish-care/507585-cycling-two-sentence-tutorial.html

 

I do have a heater! Thank you for that advice. I have been reading through that tutorial but didn't know what to look for exactly to mark the start so I can be vigilant about levels.

 

The start is the day you set up your tank and add an Ammonia source.

 

Hmm, good point! Guess I meant more like when can I expect the next step in the cycle and what to look for

 

Yep. Russell is correct.


If you use a liquid test, you don't even need to test NitrAte until a few days after you start seeing NitrIte. It's quite a job to shake the bottle and the glass tube... ;-)

 

If you have a small tank and you need to replace the filter, my suggestion would be to simply go to Amazon and order a small sponge filter. Go to any store that has a pet department and buy a cheap pump and a tubing kit with control valves.

I've had it with HOB filters and in a small tank, a sponge filter is amazing for a betta. Just do frequent water changes for about 3 weeks and don't squeeze out the sponge unless you absolutely have to until the three weeks is up. Also, obviously, don't overfeed. Add a small layer of quality gravel for a bit more bio. Careful with the cheap gravel. It can be OK but you can also have nightmares with cloudy water with the wrong gravel. Five gallons is not a big tank so you don't need a lot of gravel and it will be easier to clean but still there enough to start the bacteria colony you'll need.

 

You'll see:

1. Ammonia; then
2. Nitrites; then
3. Nitrates

A cycled tank will read 0ppm Ammonia and Nitrites and have under 20ppm Nitrates.

Is that what you meant?

Oh, and if the biobag was allowed to dry it wouldn't have viable nitrifying bacteria. NB needs well-oxygenated water to grow.