direlobo
05-07-2012, 02:36 PM
about 4 weeks ago, I was given a blue (w/ a little red) male betta in an small vase w/ a large plant. Although not a fish person, I recognize that the vase was a bad situation, immediately removed the slime-y plant, read & researched, asked questions @ a reputable aquarium store, then bought a 3 gal tank w/ gentle filter/bubbler, thermometer plus water conditioning & cycling additives, 3 varieties of food, & signed up for Tetra's e-minder emails about betta care.
I initially rinsed the gravel in filtered water, strained out particles & solid debris from the original water the betta came in, then used that same water in the new tank with half as much fresh filtered water that was first treated w/ a de-chlorinating and a cycling additives. Two, 4 & 6 days later I added an 1/3 more treated water to bring the tank slowly up up to 3 gals, then have continued to add the cycling additive as its label directed. My betta immediately went from nearly immobile to actively swimming all round up & down among my new soft-edged, various-sized plastic plants. The tank has been steady at around 76' and approx 10-15% new water added every other week.
When I first was given him, I notice that a small tip of one of the two long skinny front fins which I think are his pectoral or ventral fins was kinked, longer than the matching fin on his other side and white.
As advised by the aquarium store, I was just to do a my monthly 25% new, treated, water change along vacuuming the gravel, when I received a Tetra e-minder that says this white tip is fin rot! The white tip seems perhaps a little larger than before, but only a small enough increase to be really subjective...
I was told I didn't need a pH kit, but will buy one today along w/ a 7.5 gal tank since I don't have room for a 10 gal.
Recommendations? I keep learning, but not fast enough it seems...
Should I do a larger water change when I vacuum today?
Vacuum more often?
Increase the amount or frequency of the regular water change?
Should I buy a fin rot additive?
What's the best way to transition him from the 3 gal to the 7.5 gal tank?
Thank you! Thank you!
I initially rinsed the gravel in filtered water, strained out particles & solid debris from the original water the betta came in, then used that same water in the new tank with half as much fresh filtered water that was first treated w/ a de-chlorinating and a cycling additives. Two, 4 & 6 days later I added an 1/3 more treated water to bring the tank slowly up up to 3 gals, then have continued to add the cycling additive as its label directed. My betta immediately went from nearly immobile to actively swimming all round up & down among my new soft-edged, various-sized plastic plants. The tank has been steady at around 76' and approx 10-15% new water added every other week.
When I first was given him, I notice that a small tip of one of the two long skinny front fins which I think are his pectoral or ventral fins was kinked, longer than the matching fin on his other side and white.
As advised by the aquarium store, I was just to do a my monthly 25% new, treated, water change along vacuuming the gravel, when I received a Tetra e-minder that says this white tip is fin rot! The white tip seems perhaps a little larger than before, but only a small enough increase to be really subjective...
I was told I didn't need a pH kit, but will buy one today along w/ a 7.5 gal tank since I don't have room for a 10 gal.
Recommendations? I keep learning, but not fast enough it seems...
Should I do a larger water change when I vacuum today?
Vacuum more often?
Increase the amount or frequency of the regular water change?
Should I buy a fin rot additive?
What's the best way to transition him from the 3 gal to the 7.5 gal tank?
Thank you! Thank you!