Tell me if Ihave this right, cycling?

[kimberly]

I have one betta in an unfiltered tank. He has been there about two weeks. I bought him a new tank and have let it sit for 24hrs, the temp is stabilized, and dechlorinated. Will it be okay to go ahead and put him in the new tank? (its 5 gallons as well) Should I take some of the gravel from his present tank and put it in the new one? If not should I put him in the new tank.....wait two weeks do a 10-15% water change, check the amonia, nitrite, nitrate levels then wait another two weeks do another 10-15% water change and so on to cycle his new home.

I dont even know if any of this makes sense .I sure am confused about all this cycling stuff. I just want what is best for my little fishy. I am so attached already. Help please!

thanks in advance,
kimberly

[amanichen]

kimberly said:

Will it be okay to go ahead and put him in the new tank?

I wouldn't see any problems with it, just make sure the pH of the two tanks are as close as possible.

Should I take some of the gravel from his present tank and put it in the new one? If not should I put him in the new tank.....wait two weeks do a 10-15% water change, check the amonia, nitrite, nitrate levels then wait another two weeks do another 10-15% water change and so on to cycle his new home.

I assume you have a filter on the new tank?

Move some of the gravel over, but if you're looking to cycle the tank, then you'll need to do water changes based on the chemical levels. If the ammonia, or nitrite levels get too high, you'll have to change the water. This will prolong the time to get the nitrogen cycle established, but it'll reduce the stress on your fish.

Here are short term concentrations you want to stay below:

free ammonia: .25 ppm
nitrite: 1ppm
nitrate: 60-80ppm

(ppm is the same as mg/L)

Monitor the chemical levels, and do 25% water changes as necessary. It'll take a few weeks to get the cycle established (assuming you have a filter) and you'll see zero ammonia, zero nitrite, and non-zero nitrate level.