Stubborn Betta

[squiremaster]

I just did a water change in phoenix's aquarium which is the hardest thing I did because he would not move out of the way when I'm taking his water out. this is something that Pebbles and Charlie never did so I'm wondering if there is anyway I could distract him so that I have enough room to scoop out water?

 

[StrontiumDog]

Try using some airline pipe to syphon the water out.

The trouble is with bettas is some are more curious that others, they are always watching you.

very clever fish or just plain nosey

 

[Luke_emma_23]

My Jack is a nightmare at waterchange time, i was adjusting his filter on Saturday & he decided he wanted to lie on top of it just at the moment I put my finger on the top of it to push it down, he got a bit squashed, he's ok though!! Doubt he will learn from it though!!!

Using a syphon is easier as mentioned above, just be careful not to suck him up!!

 

[StrontiumDog]

Using a syphon is easier as mentioned above, just be careful not to suck him up!!

I mean by using a syphon use a 10mm piece of air line tube, and just push him out of the way if he get too close.

 

[squiremaster]

how about if you put the airline tubing near the bottom of the aquarium.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi squiremaster

Once the siphon is started you can remove the wide part of it (keeping it submerged during the process) and just use the hose. This is apt to give you a strong flow, but is good for cleaning the bottom. Just stir the gravel with it and the dirt will come right out. You can easily shield the tip with your hand while you are doing it.

 

[Amberleaf]

I always take Mr. Wimpy Fish *OUT* of his aquarium before doing water changes.... But that's because I have marbles as a substrate, and I need to 100%-clean the 5-gallon tank every few weeks, LOL.

I'm probably just going to get some gravel for him, thoughs. Much easier to clean.

 

[Inchworm]

I'm probably just going to get some gravel for him, thoughs. Much easier to clean.

You would probably find sand even easier to maintain. The debris lays on the top and can it's easy to see and remove. With gravel, like the marbles, the dirt and uneaten food works its way down into it. While you might not see it, it's still there.

 

[Amberleaf]

I'm not allowed to have sand -- it's a pain in the butt to clean. DX But I *want* sand.... What kind of sand should I use? I don't need that much; it's only for a 5-gallon tank. My blue rock (the one in this picture: http/www.flickr.com/photos/35706859@N07/3955861457/in/set-72157622462098872/ Of course, that's the 2.5-gallon tank, and I have since moved him into the 5-gallon tank, but it's still the same rock) will probably look even nicer on sand. Now, to just find some more ornaments that will look good on sand.... And some plants.... XD

If I *do* get any sand, then I'll have to scrub the tank thoroughly beforehands, as there are some planaria and other creepy longer worms (still planaria, me-thinks) that have made their home on the glass. Mr. Wimpy Fish seems to think that they're yummy. D

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Amberleaf

Ordinary play sand from a home improvement store is good and inexpensive. It does take a bit of time to rinse the silt out of it but once the job is done, it's easy to care for. You will only need 1/2" to 1" of it. More is not necessarily better.

The planaria in the tank could be a result of uneaten food sinking in between the marbles. It looks lovely but I can understand how it would be hard to keep clean. Your fish is a beauty too.

 

[ellena]

Since I sucked Levi up the siphon and he died I also scoop my fish out before doing water changes. They're OK in a jug of tank water for 5-10 mins

 

[Amberleaf]

Since I sucked Levi up the siphon and he died I also scoop my fish out before doing water changes. They're OK in a jug of tank water for 5-10 mins

I totally second that. I always take a little plastic water thingy from my Mom's kitchen (heheheh *giggles* she always gets mad at me; I don't care, though), and then, I put Mr. Wimpy Fish and some marbles, and his plants in there. I remember when I still had Tropica; she was in the little container while I did the water change, and she would *constantly* flare at the rocks. She was, pretty much, the *only* fish that my sisters could ever stand to hear a lot about. Tropica was a truly wonderful fish.