1/2 Gallon Tank

[briarswt]

Greetings from me and lil Kyan,

I'm relatively new to this betta business and I really want to make sure he's comfortable. . .

He's swimming around fine, - except with the tv going (he seems to be staring at it) or when people come in and out of the main dorm door because it kinda resonates in here.

So, a few questions.

One: Do I need a filter (Especially since I've been doing a good water change every third or fourth day)? If so, can you all offer me some suggestions that will work in this tank?

Two: how about a heater? Being in a warmish climate, sofar things haven't gotten so cold in this room yet and he seems ok, but I don't want to risk it getting too cold. . . .

Three: have you all heard of the Indian Almond tea leaf thing I keep reading about? If so, what do you all think?

Four: I've been giving my betta thirty minutes of mirror time. . . which he seems to enjoy more than anything (is always much more happier once it's done than before it starts) but am I putting too much stress on his little system?

Five: Similar to number three, I was just wondering if there is some mixture or something I should use to prevent any possible illnesses? I use a bit of aquarium salt, but is that good or should I stop or should I add another mixture to it?

(Can you all tell I'm a beginner?!? lol)


Thanks for all the help you guys are going to give in advance. Like I said, he seems to be okay for now, but am looking to make sure he's happy and healthy.

[abm]

Hi, and welcome to HB:),

It sounds like you're enjoying your new friend that's great! I only have a couple of comments, which you've probably already considered.

First, a half-gallon tank is quite small....when you can afford it money and spacewise, I would recommend upgrading to a tank of at least a gallon in volume. Your betta will appreciate it!

No, you do not need a filter, especially if you continue to do the frequent water changes.

As far as temp goes, I recommend buying a suction cup thermometer (1.49 at Walmart) and then decide if you need to get a heater. Heaters aren't reliable in tanks smaller than 1 gallon, and remember you don't just want the temp to go above 80 degrees fahrenheit, you want a CONSTANT temperature....in dorm rooms especially, with the central air and doors opening/closing so often, it's hard to keep the temp stable. A 25watt heater will really help you - check out www.drsfostersmith.com or www.petsmart.com for some options.

Mirror time is good...you might want to shorten the duration and do more than one period per day...each betta is different so you'll have to judge by his overall behavior.

No clue on the Indian almond...sorry.

I treat my water with Proper pH 7.0, Prime and vitamins..that's all. Aquarium salt is fine as long as you use the amount recommended and stop use entirely if the fish becomes bloated.

Best of luck, and post some pics if you can,
~abm

[amanichen]

briarswt said:

Three: have you all heard of the Indian Almond tea leaf thing I keep reading about? If so, what do you all think?

Almond leaves, blackwater extract, peat, etc, are commonly used to condition the water for bettas.

They are used for a variety of reasons, but are not a necessity:

1. To condition pairs for breeding (make the breeding instinct kick in)

2. To better simulate the natural chemistry that a betta lives in. While most bettas sold have been captive bred for hundreds of generations, there are many bettas which are directly from the wild, or only two or three generations removed from their wild ancestors. In the first case, the fish will be adapted to tap water. In the latter two cases, using an almond leaf (or equivalent) will help simulate their natural water chemistry.

3. As a folk remedy to produce healthier and stronger fish. (Note that this isn't so much caused by the leaf itself, as it is by replicating the betta's natural water chemistry.)

Five: Similar to number three, I was just wondering if there is some mixture or something I should use to prevent any possible illnesses? I use a bit of aquarium salt, but is that good or should I stop or should I add another mixture to it?

While many inexperienced fishkeepers think they have to regularly add medications and chemicals to the water to "prevent" diseases, they really don't. The way to prevent diseases is simple and the reason that newbies have so much trouble with diseases is because they don't do the following:

1. Quarantine new specimens
2. Do regular water changes, avoid overfeeding, and make sure the temperature is stable
3. Feed a high quality diet that is as varied as possible

Doing those three things will do so much more for the health and well being of your fish than a couple of drops of aquarisol will. Again, newbies aren't always "on top" of the things I listed above, and that's why they resort to "preventative" medicating.

(Can you all tell I'm a beginner?!? lol)

There's nothing wrong with this as long as you're willing to learn. If one is a newbie, and one doesn't want to learn then that person will always be a newbie

[briarswt]

Thanks you two

I have a two and a half gallon tank coming up on Thursday. I have a heater set aside and new gravel and more tubing and a valve for the air pump with it. I'm really excited about it lol.

What do you guys think is the best way to transfer the lil guy to the new environment? I'm thinking just setting the tank up and then putting the guy into a bag and floating him for about fifteen minutes and then letting him go. Would that work?

[abm]

The point of acclimating a fish to a new tank involves getting him used to the new water chemistry and temp...ideally these things are identical, but in real life they're usually a bit different.
I would test both old and new water to be sure all parameters are within range. Make sure water temps are no more than 1 degree different.
When I acclimate a fish, I use a cup that I can slowly add new water to and remove old water, so that by the time he's floated awhile and the temps have equalized, he's in mostly new water. I also take about an hour to acclimate, making small water changes every 10-15 minutes. Maybe I'm paranoid, but it works for me.

[amanichen]

When I acclimate a fish, I use a cup that I can slowly add new water to and remove old water, so that by the time he's floated awhile and the temps have equalized, he's in mostly new water.

I also take about an hour to acclimate, making small water changes every 10-15 minutes. Maybe I'm paranoid, but it works for me.

You're not paranoid. The longer an acclimation lasts, the better. This is basically the procedure I use, and recommend to other people. It will vary from fish to fish, but this is an ok balance between being gradual, and being practical.