new betta tank

Question
QUESTION: How Big - 2.5 rectangular tank

Type of Fish - None yet, soon to be Betta

How Many - Going to be buying 1

Type of Filter - Don't have one

PH, Ammonia, Nitrite - N/A

Water Changes - Tank is not yet running

I recently purchased a tank and plan on putting a Betta in it. I bought a Whisper filter and set it up but realized the current was way too strong for such a small tank. Since then I have read that it is possible to have a 2.5 gallon tank with no filter, having to do frequent water changes. Is this ok? How much water? I know that a 100% water change will upset ph, nitrate, ammonia.

My second question is do I need to cycle such a small tank? I've gotten different answers. If I do not have a filter I would be doing frequent water changes which add up to 100% a week and the tank will not have a chance to cycle. What is your opinion? Do I try to cycle or not?

My tank is currently at about 45F with the air conditioning on and no heater. Can the 7 & 25 watt heaters handle that much of a temp change?  

Thanks a lot! I want to make sure I know as much as I can before getting a fish, your help is appreciated! =]

ANSWER: Hi Ally;

A tank without a filter really isn't going to have a chance to go through the break-in period, commonly known as "cycling". Without water circulation from the filter providing oxygenation, beneficial bacteria can't grow in sufficient populations to complete that process. Change 100% of the water once a week, rinse the gravel and decorations gently to remove waste and it will keep toxin levels low. Use a water conditioner every time and be sure the fresh water is the same temperature as the old water.

If your house temperature really is as low as 45 degrees, that's how cold the tank water will be too. It's just too cold. A 7 watt heater is not going to be enough. Those little tiny ones like that aren't thermostatically controlled either. They stay on when you plug them in and only turn off when you unplug them. You could try a 25 watt thermostatically controlled heater but they really aren't recommended for tanks that small. It's too easy to overheat them. Your house is pretty cold though, even for people! Out of curiosity, why is it so cold? None of my business, just wondering...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The thermostat at our house is set in the 70s and does not feel cold at all, even with the air on..it feels comfortable. I'm still puzzled as to why the water temperature is so low? I've already made sure that my thermometer is working correctly. I will try closing the vent in my room and see if the temp in the tank goes up any. I've heard wrapping little tanks with a shirt may help so I'll try that too. If I do buy a 25 watt heater can I set it a few degrees below where it should be to prevent it from over heating? I really would like a Betta, but if all else fails I do not want to keep it in conditions it will not be fully healthy.

Answer
Hi Ally;

I think there is still something wrong with the thermometer in your tank. Get a brand new one. The least accurate are the stick-on color coded kind. The most accurate are the digital kind, but they can be expensive. Get the old-fashioned skinny glass tube kind with the red liquid inside. It's impossible for your room temperature to be 70f and the tank to be 45f without a chiller on the tank system, and we know it doesn't have one of those. Unless the room is getting really cold when you aren't home and then warmer before you get back. The tank water would take longer to rise than the room temperature.

The heater is only going to heat the water to whatever you turn it up to and you need a thermometer that works properly to see that it stays consistent. Put the heater in the tank and use the new thermometer to adjust it over a period of 3 or 4 days.

Good Luck!

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins