My first Betta

[Christalle]

I just purchased my very first Betta last Friday. ;D I love him so very much. When I got him I did get a 1 gallon aquarium with hooded light fixture.

Well last night I ran across this wonderful website HB and it was so full of information for me. After reading I decided to not use the air pump as I felt was making too many bubbles at the top of the water and George (that's his name LOL) seldem went to the top. Since not using the air pump he spends lots of time at the top. Did I do right by not using the air pump?

I also ordered some different food and a silk plant for him on line. I wanted the frozen food but couldn't afford the shipping and handling so chose Hiakri brand, freeze dried, blood worms, daphnia, brine shrimp, and Betta Bio-Gold. I see they like variety and wanted to make sure he had lots to choose from LOL. Now if my memory serves me right (fingers crossed) should the freeze dried food be soaked for about 10 minutes before feeding?

I also read about adding aquarium salt to there water. Is this added each time the water is changed? or just if sick?

I read that bettas need lots of air but also need tank covered since they like to jump. Well my aquarium said it's "perfect for betta's". After going through the HB site I feel it isn't as can't get much air. I do like the light as makes it easier for me to see George intrain me and boy he does. So this morning I propped the hood up about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Does he now get enough air?

I did buy a 1 gallon bottle of spring water for his tank. Now should I still test the water between water changes? If so how often? What should I use to test the water? and is changing the water once a week ok since I am not useing the air pump any more?

Ok I guess I have asked you wonderful people enough question for now. Thanks in advance for your help with keeping George healthy and happy for a long time.

Christalle

[mandymarie]

George will be fine without the air pump bettas breath surface air and dont require a pump. If it is the same tank that I am thinking of (triangular shaped?) I have one with my Chance in it and he's been in it for about 6 months now and has faired just fine with it. Aquarium salt is just fine for him as long as you use the right amount. You may want to test the water for amonia every few days or so and that will tell you how often to chance the water, as soon as you see amonia become present then you know when to change the water. Good luck with George!

[Jenny]

"When I got him I did get a 1 gallon aquarium with hooded light fixture."

Do you have a thermometer for his tank. A one gallon with a light could get hot pretty fast. An ideal temp for a betta is 76-84 degrees, with few fluctuations. You can buy either the stick on type or the suction to the inside type for only a few dollars at most pet stores.

"Did I do right by not using the air pump? "

Yes this is fine. Bettas do not need oxygenated water, and because of their long fins they are often bothered by the current a filter makes.

"I also ordered some different food and a silk plant for him on line. I wanted the frozen food but couldn't afford the shipping and handling so chose Hiakri brand, freeze dried, blood worms, daphnia, brine shrimp, and Betta Bio-Gold. I see they like variety and wanted to make sure he had lots to choose from LOL. Now if my memory serves me right (fingers crossed) should the freeze dried food be soaked for about 10 minutes before feeding? "

This sounds like a good diet for him. I'm not sure of the exact time for soaking, but it should be until the food has swelled as much as it will, but before it gets soggy, sinks, or falls apart. Also be sure that you soak the food in spring or treated water, not tap.

Also be sure not to overfeed him. Their tummy is about the size of their eyeball, so he shouldn't be given more than that at a meal, and 2-3 meals a day is good.

"I also read about adding aquarium salt to there water. Is this added each time the water is changed? or just if sick? "

People's opinions vary on this. Some use it all the time, and others only when they are sick. If you do want to use it, the dosage is 1/2 tsp per gallon, and you would add it each time you change the water (but not if you are replacing evaporated water).

"I read that bettas need lots of air but also need tank covered since they like to jump. Well my aquarium said it's "perfect for betta's". After going through the HB site I feel it isn't as can't get much air. I do like the light as makes it easier for me to see George intrain me and boy he does. So this morning I propped the hood up about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Does he now get enough air? "

Are their any holes in the lid? A betta is quite small, so they don't need tons of air. If there is a hole that you can feed him through, this is probably enough air, although propping the lid is fine too, as long as he can't jump through it.

"I did buy a 1 gallon bottle of spring water for his tank. Now should I still test the water between water changes? If so how often? What should I use to test the water? and is changing the water once a week ok since I am not useing the air pump any more? "

In a small tank like that an air pump wouldn't make much difference for cleaning time. It would be a good idea to get some ammonia test strips, and see how long it takes the tank to get ammonia. Or you can get some pet stores to test it for free. Then you should be changing the water at the time just before it gets ammonia. Eg, if it gets ammonia at 6 days, change every 5. If you can't get it tested, then a week is usually a pretty good ballpark for changing times for a one gallon tank.

Are you planning on just using spring water for his tank? If so, this is fine, but you should test the ph of the brand you intend to use, and consistently use the same brand, because it can vary a lot between them. The closer to neutral (7 ph) the better for the betta, but they can survive in quite a range of ph's, as long as they are stable. Also, if you rinse his tank and stuff in tap water, you should be using a dechlorinator even with the spring water, just to be sure there is no chlorine left over.

"Ok I guess I have asked you wonderful people enough question for now. Thanks in advance for your help with keeping George healthy and happy for a long time."

Welcome to the site, and if you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask. We all care about bettas and are happy to answer as many questions as you need to help you give your betta a betta life :-) .

[Christalle]

Thank you both Jenny and Mandy for your advice and help with George. Both of you have helped me a lot. This is the first time I have ever owned a fish and when I saw him I couldn't pass him up. He sure has seemed to settle down since I turned off the air pump. He's even blowing bubbles now. I do need to get to the store and buy a thermomter, some test strips to test the water. Both of use are waiting on his new food and plant to arrive.

Again thanks to both of you and this form is so very helpful and full of information.

Christalle