Betta In A Filtered Tank...

[emerging]

This is a copy of a post I submitted in the "New To The Hobby" section...

I'm very new to the fishkeeping hobby. I've had a Betta fish in a 2-gallon unfiltered, heated tank for 3 months, and he's done very well other than a case of fin rot which was treated and cleared up nicely. I've decided, now that he's accustomed to his new home, to start using the filter that comes with the tank kit. It's an Explorer Eclipse tank that uses an activated carbon filter and bio-wheel.

I did a 100% water change (I use bottled water treated with Water Rite and aquarium salt at 1/4 teaspoon per gallon) and put in a piece of filter from an established tank to get the process going. I just cut out the filter part, but was I supposed to use some of the old carbon, as well?

Stats - 09/14/07
pH: 7.0
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 0

09/15/07
pH: 7.4
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 0

09/16/07
pH: 7.4
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 0


I mentioned in the other thread that I use Water Rite, which is a dechlorinator/ph adjustor, and was told the pH adjustor is a bad thing to use with Bettas because with each water change the pH will drop and then rise again (something in the tank is making the pH go up, I guess). Should I continue with spring water and use only a dechlorinator?

Aside from the fact that my tap water has toxic levels of ammonia and nitrite (I don't even let my cat drink it!), the pH is a whopping 8.8. Isn't that too high for a Betta? Can he deal with such a radical change in the pH level?
Also, if I can manage to make the tap water safe for him, should I introduce it gradually - say, with partial water changes?
Will using different water or a different dechlorinator interfere with the cycling process?

I'm also wondering how to slow down the current in the water. It doesn't seem like he's stressed out by the water movement, but instead of resting on the plant leaves like he used to, he now rests in a corner on the bottom of the tank. Perhaps the current is a bit much for him?

Thanks for your patience, I'm obviously still trying to figure all of this out!

 

[emerging]

Surely there are others here who keep Bettas in filtered tanks...?

 

[alessasavoca]

how come your tap water has such high ammonia levels? I keep my boys in filtered tanks

 

[ozgrrl]

Hello!

I have the same problem with my tap water. High PH altho not as high as yours - mine is at around 7.8. I also have a high ammonia reading.

I have been using Prime as a dechlor and it also removes harmful ammonia. I add that to the tap water in a 5 gallon jug.

BUT for my betta tank water I mix 2 G's treated tap water and also 3 G's of DeIonized water. I let them sit together in another 5G jug overnight and use that in all my betta tanks.
It brings the PH down to a lower 7.4 and also gives them essential trace elements [from tap water]. I am also not really messing around with the GH and KH too much. The most important thing I read is that the PH remain stable.

I am by no means an expert, but I have found it works for me. The guys at the aquatic store here in San Diego use a ratio of 25% treated tap water to 75% Deionized with all their bettas and they do look amazing!

Hope some of the experts come along and put in their 2 cents as I was just as frustrated as you were in the beginning.

Good Luck!!

 

[emerging]

how come your tap water has such high ammonia levels? I keep my boys in filtered tanks

I don't know.... but if you ever visit south Florida - don't drink the water!!! LOL

 

[emerging]

Hello!

I have the same problem with my tap water. High PH altho not as high as yours - mine is at around 7.8. I also have a high ammonia reading.

I have been using Prime as a dechlor and it also removes harmful ammonia. I add that to the tap water in a 5 gallon jug.

BUT for my betta tank water I mix 2 G's treated tap water and also 3 G's of DeIonized water. I let them sit together in another 5G jug overnight and use that in all my betta tanks.
It brings the PH down to a lower 7.4 and also gives them essential trace elements [from tap water]. I am also not really messing around with the GH and KH too much. The most important thing I read is that the PH remain stable.

I am by no means an expert, but I have found it works for me. The guys at the aquatic store here in San Diego use a ratio of 25% treated tap water to 75% Deionized with all their bettas and they do look amazing!

Hope some of the experts come along and put in their 2 cents as I was just as frustrated as you were in the beginning.

Good Luck!!

Thanks so much for the response! I'm not even sure where the heck to get ahold of de-ionized water... My understanding is the same as yours as far as pH stability being more important than gH and kH, I just wonder what kind of experimenting it would take to get it down to a safe 8.0 - and to keep it there!

Others have mentioned Prime as a good dechlorinator. Does it actually remove ammonia or just lock it? Will it affect test results?

It's been 8 days and no ammonia spike yet. pH still holds at 7.4

Bubbles seems like a happy fella and his fins continue to heal. I just don't like the fact that he hangs out at the bottom of the aquarium now instead of lounging on the leaves of the plant. I don't think he dislikes the current, I just hope he's getting adequate rest!