Water temp

[melismichelle]

I just bought a 2.5 Gallon Mini-Bow. I have a few questions...how often should I change the water since it has a whisper filter? The water temp is 74 degrees, I don't know if that's too cold. I am also wondering about the light. It seems like he hides behind the filter when the light is on sometimes. Does that mean he doesn't like it? Thank you!!!

[briggs]

If you're room is dark and the light is off then you put the lights on, he might not like it right away.

Also I think bettas like some darkness sometimes.. calms them down. I've also heard it help repair wounds and what not when its dark as they slow down and dont move as much.. but who knows

[melismichelle]

Thank you!

[abm]

Hi melismichelle, and welcome to HB:),

Yes, 74 is on the cool side for bettas - and in a 2.5 Minibow you can easily and safely use a 25-watt heater to maintain a steady temp of 78-80 degrees.

If the tank is not cycled, whether you use the filter or not, you'll need to do water changes at LEAST every couple of weeks - on my 2 and 3 gallon tanks I change about half the water each week and do a full cleaning every 2 weeks.

Bettas don't have eyelids, so you definitely need to allow him some quiet, dark time with the light off. After you get the heater, watch the temp carefully to see if the light warms the water too much - you'll need to adjust things to keep the temp steady.

[vamodel]

I got a new Betta for the first time we are enjoying him a lot he is fun to look at he likes to show off for us when we go by him. I have been putting water in 1 gallon water jags for when I have to clean him and that way I know it is at room temp is ok to do. I just cleaned him out today and put in the water from the jag that is was in and seem to be ok. I do not have heater for it the tank I have is a 1 gallon tank and it has a night lite bulb with it. Can I leave it on for a wile
will it make it to hot for the Betta? I do not what to get it to hot for it the temp that it is new seems to be fine for it. One more thing I need to know is how much of the Aquarium salt to put in the 1 gallon tank I have and the Start Right in it? I put one Tablespoonful of the salt in it to night when I cleaned it and how much if the start right in it need to know so I will not put to much of it in. What are the names of the med I would need to get so I would have it on hand if I would need to use it I got the Betta at Wal- mart? Do I need to put that in when I clean it to keep it from getting sick I need to know as I am thinking about another one for me and another tank for it and what to get the right things for it. I what to thank all of you being on here as I was look for same that I can ask diff things about the Betta.
Ginny

[Rachel]

Hi vamodel, welcome to HB and betta keeping! I suggest that you go check out the Healthy Betta Homepage. This will answer some of your questions about basic care, such as the importance of proper water changes, temperature for your betta (78-80 degrees F), getting a thermometer to monitor his temperature, etc. As to buying bettas, it's better to purchase one that you know is healthy from the start.

For aquarium salt, it's not necessary to add it as a preventative on a regular basis for a betta. A tablespoon of salt is a lot for a 1-gallon tank. Over the next week I would do small partial water changes without adding aquarium salt to remove some of it from the water. The dosage for Start Right is 1/10 of a teaspoon per gallon. The manufacturer (Jungle) states this is approximately 10 drops of the product.

Feel free to ask any additional questions after reviewing the HB homepage. Also, in the future, please start a new thread if you wouldn't mind instead of pulling up one that is many months old. Thank you!