Moving Betta To 2.5 Gal. Tank

[Discovery86]

I'm going to be moving my betta back to his 2.5 gallon tank, and i've got a few questions.

1) How often should i do water changes, and how much?
2) Should i add a filter, or sponge filter?
3) I'm going to put in a fake plant. The wire in the stem got exposed when he was in there before, it rusted, and my Betta got fin rot. Any ideas to keep this from happening again?
(The lps suggested putting aquarium sealant on the exposed parts. It seems to be working, but I'd like to know if there's anything else i should try to do.)

I think that about does it. Just a note, it's not convenient for me to change more than 1 gallon of water at a time. I could probably work it out to do 100% changes, but I'd prefer if I could do 1 gallon changes.

 

[e11cloud]

I'm going to be moving my betta back to his 2.5 gallon tank, and i've got a few questions.

1) How often should i do water changes, and how much?
2) Should i add a filter, or sponge filter?
3) I'm going to put in a fake plant. The wire in the stem got exposed when he was in there before, it rusted, and my Betta got fin rot. Any ideas to keep this from happening again?
(The lps suggested putting aquarium sealant on the exposed parts. It seems to be working, but I'd like to know if there's anything else i should try to do.)

I think that about does it. Just a note, it's not convenient for me to change more than 1 gallon of water at a time. I could probably work it out to do 100% changes, but I'd prefer if I could do 1 gallon changes.

Ditch the plant. It's not worth the risk. Filters are always a good idea. I prefer sponge filters if I can get my hands on one, but a regular box filter would work ok as long as you change the cartriges like you should. My personal preference for a tank of that size would be a fifty percent water change at least once a week, but you'll get varying opinions on that I would think. Good luck!

 

[lisie]

In unfiltered tanks, you really should do 100% changes. A filter would be a good idea if you prefer to only change 1 gallon of water at a time, and in this case you should do a water change at least once a week, although doing it something like every 5 days would be even better. The fake plant would probably be okay with the aquarium sealant on it, but it might just be time for a new one... or you can use real ones. Java moss is supposed to be great because it's super easy and helps keep nitrites down. I just ordered a huge bunch of it.

 

[SPLiSH]

I have both my bettas in 3 gal tanks, heated but not filtered. I do 50% water changes once a week and they seem very happy. I have a small java fern in each tank, it does fine and I believe it is doing better than it did in my filtered tank.

So my verdict is, ditch the fake plant and get a new one, it's not worth the risk as others have said. You would be okay filterless with 50% weekly water changes, better if you have a live plant.

 

[Betta_luver]

Don't ditch the plant get a new one

 

[Discovery86]

Ok, thanks. I will start looking for a new plant as soon as I can. I'd like to try java fern, but I'm not sure where I can get it. I need to start calling the lfs... All the names sound like they only deal in Saltwater Tropical fish, but that's probably just the name.

Thanks again!!!