First time away

[Quin]

My mom had to take me to her office (she works alone thank goodness) and this is the first day I haven't been home for an extended period of time since getting Hank, my betta. I'm getting anxious to get home and check on him since we left at 7 and its closer to 4 now. I know reasonably he should be okay, but I also really want to get a 5g bucket on the way home to make his overdue water change go a little more smoothly. I know that once quarantine fully lifts it will have to be normal to not see him all day, but with how sick he was I'm always a little nervous that he's suddenly going to drop again

The good news is I earned a little money today to put towards renovation savings

 

[JuiceBox525 11]

He'll be okay! Just try to think about how you will redo his tank in the future and how good he is doing now

 

[Quin]

He'll be okay! Just try to think about how you will redo his tank in the future and how good he is doing now

That's definitely a good distraction. I'm getting all excited planning substrates and which plants will go best and which ones could make his water quality better in addition to filters and water changes. I want to do that one idea where I have duckweed or salvinia (sorry if I butchered either of those names) and I rope it off with the tubing. Also, I have so so many ideas for manually crafting tank decor like a carved stone stair with room on each step for plants or an abandoned temple with pillars and flooring covered in java moss, but I have no idea how to go about that. It's absolutely word vomit at this point, lol sorry

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Don’t worry! He will be perfect.

Salvinia is a great plant. I don’t really recommend duck weed, as it it can be hard to remove.

 

[Retired Viking]

It is alright, glad to see you are excited and want to take care of your fish. It is best to take your time and research and plan before jumping in too far. Patience is important when it comes to taking care of fish. Good luck

 

[Retired Viking]

I agree with @PheonixKingZ I have heard the same thing about duckweed. I have considered it only for my turtle tank.

 

[Quin]

Hank's first normal water change is finished, and my anxiety levels are back at resting

I used the gravel pump and it was really really helpful because I didn't have to stick the bucket in and scoop the water out, plus I got to clean his gravel while it worked! He was weirdly very interested in it and was not following social distancing protocol as he tried to keep right up next to it the entire time. Funny dude, maybe he just likes seeing new things.

The gravel vac was not that helpful in putting the water back in, however. I was kind of hoping that it would do the same if I switched ends, but I think because the bucket was lower, gravity wouldn't pull it like it did the other way. I pumped the first half by hand I ended up doing a very slow and tedious water pour as Hank was also excessively interested in the bubbles it created and was understandably outraged when he got pushed away by the water. Poor dude lol. Does anyone have any tips for how to put the water back in?

 

[JuiceBox525 11]

Hank's first normal water change is finished, and my anxiety levels are back at resting

I used the gravel pump and it was really really helpful because I didn't have to stick the bucket in and scoop the water out, plus I got to clean his gravel while it worked! He was weirdly very interested in it and was not following social distancing protocol as he tried to keep right up next to it the entire time. Funny dude, maybe he just likes seeing new things.

The gravel vac was not that helpful in putting the water back in, however. I was kind of hoping that it would do the same if I switched ends, but I think because the bucket was lower, gravity wouldn't pull it like it did the other way. I pumped the first half by hand I ended up doing a very slow and tedious water pour as Hank was also excessively interested in the bubbles it created and was understandably outraged when he got pushed away by the water. Poor dude lol. Does anyone have any tips for how to put the water back in?

I just gently pour it in with the bucket
Edit: and if you think that's tedious try a 55 gallon with 75% of the water out!

 

[Retired Viking]

I do the same things as @JuiceBox52 does. I also have a 55 gallon tank plus two 30 gallon and a 20 gallon.

 

[Quin]

That's good to know. If your fish won't get stressed out by a gentle pour then Hank hopefully won't either. I appreciate the help!

 

[JuiceBox525 11]

That's good to know. If your fish won't get stressed out by a gentle pour then Hank hopefully won't either. I appreciate the help!

No problem

 

[Retired Viking]

I pour the water on to the glass inside of the aquarium so it spreads out and reduces the force it has when going into the tank.

 

[Quin]

I pour the water on to the glass inside of the aquarium so it spreads out and reduces the force it has when going into the tank.

That's a really good idea! I may have to attach a slope of some kind to the tank because I'm a notorious spiller and I don't want my books to get wet, but it would definitely be a lot easier if something could interrupt the force. I think I may have to do another change today because I tested the ammonia and the strips said it was between safe and stressful, so I can use that!

If another water change does happen today, I did some research on how to clean filter media. Am I okay in assuming I can clean it in the changed water and put it back in when I'm done? The filter started making a weird noise off and on after the change yesterday, and when the water pulses out the current is way too strong for Hank. It's off right now so he can swim safely, but I'm hoping to get it back on soon.

 

[Essjay24 139]

Another way to pour the water in is to put a small plate on the bottom of the tank and pour the water onto that. Make sure it's OK to use the plate first!
I pour water through a home made colander - a yoghurt pot with a lot of holes stabbed in the bottom. Instead of just one heavy stream of water, the 'colander' creates lots of small streams.

Clean the media in the water that you take out before you throw it away.

 

[Quin]

Another way to pour the water in is to put a small plate on the bottom of the tank and pour the water onto that. Make sure it's OK to use the plate first!
I pour water through a home made colander - a yoghurt pot with a lot of holes stabbed in the bottom. Instead of just one heavy stream of water, the 'colander' creates lots of small streams.

Clean the media in the water that you take out before you throw it away.

How do I clean the water? Add some more prime? Also that's a good idea with the colander!