New To Betta Keeping

[veedub565]

Hi all,

I'm a newcomer to fishkeeping and i'm not sure if I'm doing everything right or not

I was recently given a 7 litre (1.5gal) tank with a built in pump and filter. I filled it with tap water, treated it with conditioner and left it for a few days to settle. I decided to buy a Betta fish and at the same time bought a heater to keep the water warm.

My Betta has now been in the tank for 24hrs, According to the thermometer the water temp is pretty stable at 82F I have fed him some Tetra flakes which he initially spat out but after a while he has eaten them.

I'm not sure what is meant by cycling the tank? I understand it takes time for bacteria to form in the filter medium so should I be changing the water ? if so how much and how often? obviously it should be changed every few days anyway but should it be done more often to start with in a new tank?

I've noticed my Betta has what appears to be some fin rot (tail fin has a transparant area and black edge) from what I understand I should do a water change and add a teaspoon of sea / aquarium salt how much water do I change out? my Betta's only been in the tank 24hrs and maybe stilll recovering from the move? I wouldnt want to stress him out more by taking him out the tank again to do a 100% change of water and tank clean.

Sorry for all the questions. is there anything else I should be doing?

 

[kizno1]

1.5g is to small for a betta they need atlest 3g but 5 is best.
you neeed to read this about cycling
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=175355

you should really take him out and do a fishless cycle
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

 

[Rezatii]

In addition to Kizno's link's; http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=224306 that's about fish in cycling, ideally it would be better if you could take him out / back and do fishless cycling, but I know most people are reluctant to return fish XD

Also I agree with Kizno, it would be much better for your fish in the long term if he could have some more space, 2.5-5 uk gallon minimum, I know they are often marketed as fish you can keep in a wine glass, but they really aren't


-Rezz

 

[veedub565]

Right after I posted I found the sticky all about cycling.

I've done a 50% water change and added some King British Safe Water which it says removes harmful ammonia and Nitrate

Will have to see if the pet shop will take him back.

 

[kizno1]

thats the best thing to do he wont like having massive water changes every day.

 

[jennybugs]

That's the best thing to do

Will you look for a bigger tank too? Your betta will thank you in the long run.

PS do you have a veedub?

 

[veedub565]

Well the problem is the tank is a gift so I'm saddled with it, at least for a little while, at least until everyones forgotten about it then I can subtly swap it for a slightly bigger, but otherwise identical one. I'll try and cycle it properly next time around. I wish I'd come accross this forum before I went and bought a fish. I did read the care sheets an that.. but didnt come accross anything about cycling the water

And no, I have a new shape Toyota Avensis. I used to have a dub and I used to be into the whole scene going to shows and things, but then I bought a Nissan, then that went and now my company supplies me with a car. But the veedub565 username has kinda stuck, Ive had that username for years now

 

[kizno1]

you could get a 3g tank and then take the heater out of the 1.5 g and put it in the 3g if its about 25w and then use the 1.5g for shrimps.

 

[veedub565]

It's 28W sounds like a plan

 

[kizno1]

yh that would be fine.
cherry shrimp would do well in there.

 

[llamalord305]

How about cycling the old, small tank, then using its media to seed the new tank later on?

 

[jennybugs]

And no, I have a new shape Toyota Avensis. I used to have a dub and I used to be into the whole scene going to shows and things, but then I bought a Nissan, then that went and now my company supplies me with a car. But the veedub565 username has kinda stuck, Ive had that username for years now

I still have my dubs although I haven't done any shows this year, I've moreso spent time on campouts with like minded rubbers who are tired of the scene now

it's difficult when a tank is a gift I guess. What's the tank in litres? I hadmy first betta in 15 litres for a bit but then doubled to 30 as it wasn't doing so well.

 

[veedub565]

It's 7 litres

I tested my water and Ammonia is 0.5 - 1ppm, Nitrite is also 0.5 - 1ppm

 

[jennybugs]

Ooh that is tiny! If I were you I'd be trying something like cherry shrimp in there. I'd not want to put a fish in a tank that small If at all I'd try some chili rasboras Bororas brigittae at the most. Deffo not a betta.

Keep going with the cycle though. What you using to cycle with?

 

[veedub565]

There's a Betta in there right now. I'm going to ask if the fish shop will take him back.