Cycle tank and sanitizing plastic gravel

Question
I recently had a betta die of illness and I want to clean it up for a new betta.  I found the answer on sanitizing the tank on this site.  It said that the tank needs to be cycled but I don't know what that means.  I have a Marina Betta Kit which comes with multiple items including a 1/2 gallon plastic aquarium that features a colored snap-shut lid with multiple vents and co-ordinating gravel that looks like it is made from some sort of plastic.  I also want to know if this gravel will melt under very hot water as I need to sanitize it as well.  Also,  do I sanitize the 4" aquatic plant with suction cup the same way I sanitize the gravel?  Thank you very much for helping me out Ron!

Sincerely,
Nikki

Answer
Hi Nikki,
  You can wash the gravel under hot water, though just washing it under a lot of water of any temperature is good enough.  Same with the plant.  I do not agree with the idea of "sanitizing" a tank.  No amount of hot water is going to do that.  But, there is no reason to do that.  Basically, clean the tank, gravel and interior things well with lots of water and make sure that you don't use ANY soap or detergent.  

  There is no need to cycle a tank for a single betta.  Cycling refers to allowing "good" bacteria a chance to grow.  It is important if you are putting a bunch of fish into a tank.  Basically, if you started with a bare tank and put a bunch of fish in there, they would eat their food and generate waste. A fish tank actually "works" by having certain good bacteria break down the waste.  It takes a while for the number of these good bacteria to build up to a level that can handle a bunch of waste (the magic number is about 6 weeks).  So, the first 6 weeks of a new tank is a bit rough going and during that period it is important not to add too many fish.   In a betta tank, you are adding only one fish, so just put him in.  Do a 25% water change once a week, every week, and he should be fine.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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