Hi, folks.

As MiniBow 2.5 owners already know, the Whisper Micro is OK at mechanical and chemical filtration, but doesn't provide any biological filtration.

So, a few days ago, I filled the gap behind the filter cartridge with about 1/3 cup biomedia from a cycled cannister. The water goes through that before it goes through the filter paper and carbon. My theory was that there would be no cycle to go through.

I've never measured detectable ammonia in the tank, but today I had between 0.25 and 0.5 nitrIte and a trace of nitrAtes. A betta lives in that tank, so I changed about 20% of the water and added about 1/4 tsp of salt.

I was wrong about not having to cycle the tank. But is it silly to try? Is 2.5 gal too small? Has anybody else tried to soup up a Whisper Micro?

Thanks,
Caroline in San Jose

Never tried it before, can't answer any questions but i can wish you luck with your experiment.

The betta is outa there. NitrIte levels were growing, so I put him in another tank. This experment is now all about fishless cycling in a tiny tank instead of about starting out a small tank with cycled biomedia.

Rats.

I still hope to be able to cycle the little tank using plain ammonia.

Caroline in San Jose

Sounds like a good experiment. I want to ask though, is it better if the betta has a cycled tank or is it just as good to change the water 100% every week? Just wondering if it makes a difference for the fish.

I have a 5 gal. mini bow and I change the water every week.

Queenie, I'm not sure! I've been scolded by knowlegable folks for both approaches.

A cycled tank with routine partial water changes would be the most stable as far as ammonia etc., and therefore theorhetically the least stressful. But with a really tiny tank, maybe it doesn't work that way. And as long as your routine works for your fish, I'd keep doing it!

One reason I like cycled tanks better is because they can go without a water change once in a while if they are well maintained the rest of the time. When I went away over the holidays, I left my petsitter a big bucket of dechlorinated water and asked her to replace what was lost by evaporation. I didn't want to worry about mishaps with water changes while I was gone.

Caroline in San Jose

I cycled my 2.5's with gravel & ornaments from established tanks. They cycled pretty quickly & have remained fairly stable. I try to just rinse out the filter media (in dechlor water as I never have enough from tank changes for that) rather than changing it frequently & I don't ever change the filter media & vac the tank on the same day (to try to help keep the cycle going).

THose whispers are loved by my bettas but ...ugh. They drive me nuts.

(I have 2 tanks I cange about 25% per week & 2 that (because of peristant fin rot) get changed at least twice per week at 25%. All tanks are vac with the water change) (& I used aged water in all of these tanks)
Hope this helps!

Jenn

I have had good success with both approaches. I have one betta that was a spur of the moment, nooppee rescue. I didn't have a tank for him, so I bought a small 2 gallon hex tank. I change the water 100%, once per week and he has done fabulously. He is very healthy and never a hint of problems. I have had him almost a year now (March). I also have a betta in a cycled 5 gallon tank, and I have had him 14 months, and he is still doing well, although he is looking a little older these days. He has a very white chin, and doesn't look quite so robust, but I think it is just old age.

I also have had bettas die on me after about 8 - 10 months, for no apparent reason. They were all in cycled tanks. So, I don't quite know what to make of it all, however, I wouldn't hesitate to keep a betta in a smallish tank with 100% water changes.

JMHO

Keep us updated cjumper. I guess I'll just keep doing 100% water changes on my 5 gal. since he seems to be doing well.

Drs. Foster & Smith sells filter cartridges that fit the whisper micro filter and it has a "reusable aerobic sponge" for biological filtration. I have the filters shown in the link, the junior size fits both the filters in the mini bow 2.5 and 5.