Betta in unclycled 3 gallon - Day 5

[BobMc]

I finally just tested the water, and I think everything looks ok.

PH 7.5 - seemed a little higher than I was expecting
Ammonia 0.25 mg/L
Nitrite 0 mg/L
Nitrate 10 mg/L

Seem normal for day 5?

BTW - is 7.5 PH high for typical tap water? I've read somewhere online that anything from 6 - 8 is ok for bettas. I was thinking about having neons and cories in another tank, but any suggestions based on my tap PH if I should choose some different fish?

Thanks,
Bob

ps - I posted this same exact post in the one other fish forum I've been going to. I don't know if that is bad etiquette, but I felt like saying that.

 

[wuvmybetta]

Well, it's common practice to just keep them in straight tap without tweeking wth the PH. So 7.5 is more than okay for your betta, and also for any other fish you are considering. Especially if they come from a local shop, they're already adjusted to the local PH and tap water.

The ammonia seems right on track for day 5. Do you plan on doing partial water changes to aid him through it?

 

[BobMc]

Thanks! I'm definitely planning on some regular water changes. I'd love to get enough healthy bacteria going in the filter/ tank where I felt good that a weekly 25% - 50% water change would be healthy, but I'm pretty new at this so I'll keep testing and hope I do my betta right. When I first got him, I moved him from one of those horrible ashtray bowls to a 1 gallon or so tank, and I felt like I was providing him a mansion. Well, google stunted that faux pride. I just dig this fish because he has so much personality and seems so smart. I also really like the more mindless fish like tetras because they relieve stress for me for some reason, but I also really like the more personable fish like bettas/ oscars who interact with people outside the tank when they walk into the room.

Thanks again!
Bob

 

[JoLtNbolt]

what kind of set up do you have? i haven't seen any 3 gallon tanks.... i have a 2 gallon explorer from marineland with a biowheel filter and I love it! Do you have any photos?

 

[BobMc]

I have an Eclipse 3 setup with an appropriate heater.

http/www.marineland.com/products/consumer/con_systems.asp

It was pretty cheap ($30-something) and came with a tank, filter, hood, and light. So far so good, but buying a glass 2.5 gallon and filter, hood, heater on your own would probably be just as good, and possibly better.

Regards,
Bob