Beginner given surprise betta

[FrisianGirl]

Hi,
I'm a first time betta owner, but I've been researching betta for some time. Today my friend gave me her kid sister's betta, quite unexpectedly! Unfortunately, the betta's in a small container (about nine inches tall), and needless to say, I don't have a nice aquarium prepared. I want to give my fish the best possible home, so here's my plan.

The betta's current container has only large plastic gravel (each about a nickle in diameter). I'm thinking that there's not enough surface area for good bacteria to grow on, so to prevent ammonia buildup, I'll start doing 25% water changes daily. (Will that work? Is that too frequent?)

In the meantime, I plan to begin fishless cycling on a 2.5 gallon aquarium, and will get my betta in there as soon as possible.

Also, right now I don't have a heater for my betta, so I've set his container on my heating vent .

All ye wise and fishy people, how does that sound?
Thanks!

 

[jflowers]

To me it sounds like you know your stuff, how many new people know about beneficial bacteria!

I am no expert on bettas but it sounds like you are making the right plans. try posting in the betta forum, lots and lots of betta people there.

Jon

 

[StarOrbs]

I learned about it here of course. I use to have an aquarium about 8 years ago and if knew what I know now perhaps it would have been a better experience. Of course I was only 10 years old at the time. Good luck with you betta.

 

[newfishies]

depending on how big the current tank is, you might be better off doing 100% changes every few days instead of 25%.

can you get a thermometer in the tank...you don't want to cook the fish, and fluctuations in temp can cause stress to him and make him sick.

the mini-bow should be great for him. do you have another tank that you can steal some gravel or filter media from? that will help the tank cycle faster!!

 

[The_Gilly]

with just the single betta I'd set up the new tank and add him straight away.

The reason you want good bacteria is to break down fish waste. As you only have one betta you're not going to get loads of waste. You could just go and get whatever gravel you want from the LFS and use it straight away. However if you're going to add your betta to a freshly setup tank I'd recommend not having gravel to start with which will make your life easier when changing water.

Spend your money on a heater and get the bowl in the position you want it.

Water change every 3 days for the time being until your filter has got up to speed (I've read this is about 4 weeks).

Betta tanks don't have to be 100% like community tanks due to their only being one fish in there.

Hope that helps and good luck. See you in the betta forum sometime.

Gilly

 

[FrisianGirl]

Thanks everyone, I'm setting the tank up today!!!

 

[FrisianGirl]

Water change every 3 days for the time being until your filter has got up to speed (I've read this is about 4 weeks).

Betta tanks don't have to be 100% like community tanks due to their only being one fish in there.

A few more quick questions, what does "filter up to speed" mean (Good bacteria, or something?), and by "100%" do you mean 100% filled?

Just want to make sure I understand everything. Thank you for your useful advice!

 

[OohFeeshy]

Hmm.. I'd say get a small tank, 1 gallon plus, preferably 2.5 gallons. You don't need a filter, although I'd go with your 25% daily rather than 100% because it would stress him out, methinks. Maybe get some bloodworms (if you haven't allready got any, I'm not sure)

 

[jflowers]

Water change every 3 days for the time being until your filter has got up to speed (I've read this is about 4 weeks).

Betta tanks don't have to be 100% like community tanks due to their only being one fish in there.

A few more quick questions, what does "filter up to speed" mean (Good bacteria, or something?), and by "100%" do you mean 100% filled?

Just want to make sure I understand everything. Thank you for your useful advice!

Up to speed, meaning it has enough beneficial bacteria to handle the ammonia and nitrite. 100% I think means that the tank doesn't have to be spot on cycled as there is only one fish in it. Best to keep up the water changes till it is though.

Jon

 

[burlie]

From what I've read and experienced, if the betta is the only fish being placed in the tank, you don't need to cycle the tank prior to its insertion. A few things to be mindful of are to:

Wash out the tank with water only (no detergents, soap).
Wash the gravel until the water is clear.
Wash any plants or decorations thoroughly in water only.
Treat the water with a chemical to remove the chlorine and chloramine from your tapwater (if you are on well water, this doesn't apply).
Let the water settle in the tank for a bit until it is clear and the water temperature has reached equilibrium.
If the tank is <74F, you will want to get a heater as bettas like 78-82F water temperatures.
Be sure before you add your betta, that his current water is within a few degrees of the tank water, so you don't shock him too much.

Begin regular tank maintainence and enjoy your betta!

 

[jflowers]

From what I've read and experienced, if the betta is the only fish being placed in the tank, you don't need to cycle the tank prior to its insertion. A few things to be mindful of are to:

Wash out the tank with water only (no detergents, soap).
Wash the gravel until the water is clear.
Wash any plants or decorations thoroughly in water only.
Treat the water with a chemical to remove the chlorine and chloramine from your tapwater (if you are on well water, this doesn't apply).
Let the water settle in the tank for a bit until it is clear and the water temperature has reached equilibrium.
If the tank is <74F, you will want to get a heater as bettas like 78-82F water temperatures.
Be sure before you add your betta, that his current water is within a few degrees of the tank water, so you don't shock him too much.

Begin regular tank maintainence and enjoy your betta!

This would be cycling with fish, in this case a betta.

Jon

 

[FrisianGirl]

Hi all,
My betta's doing well. I'm a completely adoring and slightly nervous new fish owner . I've named him Uther Pendragon, after King Arthur's father (nice symbolism there, he's red, like the Welsh dragon, and King Uther was welsh).

About cycling, I don't have a filter or gravel in my tank. To avoid ammonia build up, I'm changing my water every three days. (Does that sound okay? I did an ammonia test today, ammonia's at 1 part per million and I'm changing tomorrow. Is 1 part per million too high? Nitrite was 0 parts per million).

Thanks for everyone's advice so far!

I heart Uther Pendragon!

 

[Sorrell]

In a tank under 2 gallons I would change 100% of the water every 3 days. If you get the 2.5 gallon going change 50% once a week and watch the fish with the filter. Bettas aren't fond of currents and you may need to pull it. In that case you'll need to go back to 100% water changes.