Fraoch
05-28-2009, 07:01 PM
A few more questions as I plan getting a betta...
- I have very hard, very alkaline water here, very high pH. pH = 8.4, alkalinity = 300, hardness = 300, GH = 180, KH = 240, yes, they're all pegged at the very top of anything I used to measure it. But I understand bettas need soft, slightly acidic water. Is this too much for them? I won't be doing anything to soften the water or lower the pH, I simply can't guarantee that there won't be a swing during a water change and I would rather not do it. I would rather not get a betta if they won't be suitable for this water than fool around with chemicals that alter the water.
- I assume like any fish they need a cycled tank. Yet I don't see betta tank parameters (ammonia/nitrite/nitrate) ever mentioned on this subforum, just the requirement for water changes. Are parameters and testing not quite as important for betta tanks? I know bettas can survive in some harsh water conditions, but surely they are just as affected by ammonia and nitrite as any fish?
- I have a 5 gallon tank for the betta. I have a spare Top Fin 10 HOB with cycled media that would work fine here, but won't it create too much current? I understand bettas do not like current. Would a sponge filter be more appropriate? The Top Fin's flow is not adjustable.
- If a sponge filter is required, anyone have any ideas how to use used media to cycle it? I would have the following available: Top Fin filter cartridges (a floss bag that can be folded) and a bag of Bio-Max media from an AquaClear 20.
Thank you!
- I have very hard, very alkaline water here, very high pH. pH = 8.4, alkalinity = 300, hardness = 300, GH = 180, KH = 240, yes, they're all pegged at the very top of anything I used to measure it. But I understand bettas need soft, slightly acidic water. Is this too much for them? I won't be doing anything to soften the water or lower the pH, I simply can't guarantee that there won't be a swing during a water change and I would rather not do it. I would rather not get a betta if they won't be suitable for this water than fool around with chemicals that alter the water.
- I assume like any fish they need a cycled tank. Yet I don't see betta tank parameters (ammonia/nitrite/nitrate) ever mentioned on this subforum, just the requirement for water changes. Are parameters and testing not quite as important for betta tanks? I know bettas can survive in some harsh water conditions, but surely they are just as affected by ammonia and nitrite as any fish?
- I have a 5 gallon tank for the betta. I have a spare Top Fin 10 HOB with cycled media that would work fine here, but won't it create too much current? I understand bettas do not like current. Would a sponge filter be more appropriate? The Top Fin's flow is not adjustable.
- If a sponge filter is required, anyone have any ideas how to use used media to cycle it? I would have the following available: Top Fin filter cartridges (a floss bag that can be folded) and a bag of Bio-Max media from an AquaClear 20.
Thank you!