Betta water changes

[Pat Trent]

I saw a beautiful red betta in the pet store yesterday and brought him home. He
was in tiny cup (less than 8 oz.)! I immediately put in him in a half-gallon
clear glass jar filled with some bottled drinking water, and added some
aquarium salt (equivalent to 1/2 tsp./gallon) and AquaSafe (1/4 tsp.). Until I
can find a bigger bowl for him, how often do I need to change his water? I'll
continue using the bottled drinking water. There's nothing in the jar except
the fish. I left about 1-1/2 inches at the top for air exchange. Thank you in
advance for your reply.

[Pat Trent]

Yes, I'm using AquaFresh to treat the water. Thanks for the reply.

[Pat Trent]

Thanks for the info, and I'll also check out that web site.

[Sunny]

I have two Bettas, each one in their own 6 litre (1-5 gal) tanks.
each week I change 4 litres in each tank, with fresh treated water, that has
"stood" overnight in the same room as the fish.
I add a dash of aquarium salt, one Betta is two years old the other about
one year old and both doing well.

"Pat Trent" > wrote in message
...
> Yes, I'm using AquaFresh to treat the water. Thanks for the reply.

[Wendy Puckett]

I read recently that Bettas live generally 2 years. Has anyone had them
longer? Other than water changes and proper care are there things you
can do to help them live longer than that?

Thanks!

Sunny wrote:
> I have two Bettas, each one in their own 6 litre (1-5 gal) tanks.
> each week I change 4 litres in each tank, with fresh treated water, that has
> "stood" overnight in the same room as the fish.
> I add a dash of aquarium salt, one Betta is two years old the other about
> one year old and both doing well.
>
> "Pat Trent" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>Yes, I'm using AquaFresh to treat the water. Thanks for the reply.
>
>
>

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Betta water changes
>From: (Pat Trent)
>Date: 8/31/2003 1:33 AM Central Daylight Time
>Message-id: >
>
>I saw a beautiful red betta in the pet store yesterday and brought him home.
>He
>was in tiny cup (less than 8 oz.)! I immediately put in him in a half-gallon
>clear glass jar filled with some bottled drinking water, and added some
>aquarium salt (equivalent to 1/2 tsp./gallon) and AquaSafe (1/4 tsp.). Until
>I
>can find a bigger bowl for him, how often do I need to change his water? I'll
>continue using the bottled drinking water. There's nothing in the jar except
>the fish. I left about 1-1/2 inches at the top for air exchange. Thank you in
>advance for your reply.

You should be changing 100%, weekly in a gallon container.
If you keep him in the 1/2g jar..change 100% twice weekly.
Bettas are tropical fish and thrive in warm water between 78-80*f.
They'll also do much better, and live longer when kept warm, and have clean
water.
Feed a variety of quality foods. Besides a staple food, such as Betta Bio Gold
or other Betta pelleted food, frozen foods such as Bloodworms or Brine Shrimp
are favorite.

[Pat Trent]

That's a good question, Sunny. I haven't had Bettas for many years, but when I
was growing up people had them and usually kept them for about 1-2 years at
most. I don't know if today's fish live longer than that. I'm just getting
back into the hobby and have forgotten so much and don't know about the newer
strains of Bettas.

[Pat Trent]

Thanks. That makes sense. Do you know any easy ways to keep them warm in
winter? My central heating system keeps the house at a minimum of 65 degrees
Farenheit at night. It's still plenty warm here--the A/C still runs all night,
but come December and January, I'll be getting concerned.

[Sunny]

Open to the air (in a 10 litre plastic bucket)
I use town water from an under sink filter and add:
"Complete water treatment and Conditioner"
Adjust Ph to 6.6 and add a half teaspoon of aquarium salt
(They have never complained :-)

"Pat Trent" > wrote in message
...
> When you say the water "stood" over night, do you mean open to the air or
was
> the water jug capped? And thanks for the info.

[Donald Kerns]

Pat Trent wrote:

> Thanks. That makes sense. Do you know any easy ways to keep them
> warm in winter? My central heating system keeps the house at a minimum
> of 65 degrees
> Farenheit at night.

65 is too cold for bettas.

Move them into to a 2 gallon+ tank and use a 25W Visitherm heater...

-D
--
"When you've lost your ability to laugh, you've lost your ability to
think straight." -To Inherit the Wind

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: Betta water changes
>From: High Flight
>Date: 9/1/2003 9:49 AM Central Daylight Time
>Message-id: >
>
>Pat Trent > says...
>> Thanks. That makes sense. Do you know any easy ways to keep them warm in
>> winter? My central heating system keeps the house at a minimum of 65
>degrees
>> Farenheit at night. It's still plenty warm here--the A/C still runs all
>night,
>> but come December and January, I'll be getting concerned.
>
>And learn how to quote! news.announce.newusers
>
> Jack

Why are so nasty all the time?
Instead of helping somebody who is obvisouly new to Bettas, and this newsgroup,
you act like this.
Shame on you!

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: Betta water changes
>From: (Pat Trent)
>Date: 9/1/2003 1:57 AM Central Daylight Time
>Message-id: >
>
>Thanks. That makes sense. Do you know any easy ways to keep them warm in
>winter? My central heating system keeps the house at a minimum of 65 degrees
>Farenheit at night. It's still plenty warm here--the A/C still runs all
>night,
>but come December and January, I'll be getting concerned.

The best tank I've ever had for Bettas are the Eclipse 3. It's a 3 gallon tank,
perfect size for a male Betta and possibly an African Dwarf Frog, or a couple
of Panda Cories, or even a few Pygmy Cories (hard to find..but lovely). The
other types of Cories are going to get a bit too large for a 3g tank.
Anyway, the tank has a power filter, Bio wheel, and a fluorescent light. The
motor of the power filter heats the tank nicely for a Betta, so no need for a
heater.
Bettas will often need to learn how to swim in the current of a filter, but
theyget the hang of it in no time. They look so pittyful at first
though...getting blown around the tank when they swim through the current.
Other than an E3, you'd need to use a heater...not something you can do in a
vase.

[Donald Kerns]

High Flight wrote:

>> but come December and January, I'll be getting concerned.
>
> And learn how to quote! news.announce.newusers
>
> Jack

Jack's back (I'd been wondering...)

And Tynk is at his neck within milliseconds.

-Donald
--
The more things change...

[NetMax]

"High Flight" > wrote in message
...
> Pat Trent > says...
> > Yes, I'm using AquaFresh to treat the water. Thanks for the reply.
>
> I suggest you do some googling, and a *LOT* of reading.
>
> Jack

Jack is back, and considering it was for a tooth whitening product, that
was probably a constrained remark on his part, ;~)

I think the product is AquaPlus or something similar. As long as it's a
de-chlorinator which removes chlorine or chloramines (whichever you
have).

I don't know what makes Bettas unique in that people recommend 100% water
change, when the standard doctrine is to limit the size of the w/c to
minimize shock. A 100% w/c using well water (for example) could be
fatal, considering the potential amounts of dissolved gases which need to
first dissipate. My own recommendation FWIW would be to do a 50% w/c 2
or 3 times a week. At work, we do 100% w/c every 2nd day, but the cups
they are in are small, and I use aged de-chlor'ed water from a plant tank
which is at the same temperature as the cups, so I think my application
(which does use 100% w/c) is not representative of a home set-up using
more size-appropriate containers.

NetMax

[Pat Trent]

OK, thanks. That's good to know.

[Pat Trent]

I know what you mean. People who've never kept fish wouldn't understand how
you can get attached to a fish. They do have personalities. <g>

[Pat Trent]

Oops! Yes, I meant "AquaSafe" not "AquaFresh" Don't know why I said the
latter, except that it was late at night and I was tired. Sorry.

Some people in this group, including you, have been very nice and helpful, but
as for others--I really don't need to have my head taken off for an obvious
typo the first time I post to a new group. (I say "obvious" typo, because
AquaSafe is so well known it's obvious that's what I meant.)

[Sunny]

Pat, a really good idea is, to at least include enough of the message you
are replying to, so that it has some continuity. IMHO

"Pat Trent" > wrote in message
...
> I know what you mean. People who've never kept fish wouldn't understand
how
> you can get attached to a fish. They do have personalities. <g>

[Pat Trent]

>"High Flight" > wrote in message
...
>> Pat Trent > says...
>> > Yes, I'm using AquaFresh to treat the water. Thanks for the reply.
>>
>> I suggest you do some googling, and a *LOT* of reading.
>>
>> Jack
>
>Jack is back, and considering it was for a tooth whitening product, that
>was probably a constrained remark on his part, ;~)
>
>I think the product is AquaPlus or something similar. As long as it's a
>de-chlorinator which removes chlorine or chloramines (whichever you
>have).
>
>I don't know what makes Bettas unique in that people recommend 100% water
>change, when the standard doctrine is to limit the size of the w/c to
>minimize shock. A 100% w/c using well water (for example) could be
>fatal, considering the potential amounts of dissolved gases which need to
>first dissipate. My own recommendation FWIW would be to do a 50% w/c 2
>or 3 times a week. At work, we do 100% w/c every 2nd day, but the cups
>they are in are small, and I use aged de-chlor'ed water from a plant tank
>which is at the same temperature as the cups, so I think my application
>(which does use 100% w/c) is not representative of a home set-up using
>more size-appropriate containers.
>
>NetMax
>
>
>
>

Oops! Yes, I meant "AquaSafe" not "AquaFresh" Don't know why I said the
latter, except that it was late at night and I was tired. Sorry.

Some people in this group, including you, have been very nice and helpful, but
as for others--I really don't need to have my head taken off for an obvious
typo the first time I post to a new group. (I say "obvious" typo, because
AquaSafe is so well known it's obvious that's what I meant.)

[Pat Trent]

>Pat, a really good idea is, to at least include enough of the message you
>are replying to, so that it has some continuity. IMHO
>
>"Pat Trent" > wrote in message
...
>> I know what you mean. People who've never kept fish wouldn't understand
>how
>> you can get attached to a fish. They do have personalities. <g>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Yes, you're right. I thought I WAS doing that by highlighting the text in the
original message before hitting "reply"--just like my e-mail messages work, but
I see that wasn't happening. Sorry.

[Pat Trent]

>Pat Trent > says...
>> Yes, I'm using AquaFresh to treat the water. Thanks for the reply.
>
>I suggest you do some googling, and a *LOT* of reading.
>
> Jack
>
>--
>aka Keet Visit my web page at http://junior.apk.net/~jac/
>
>
>
>
>
>
OK, so you're perfect, and you've never made a typo? Anyone who knows fish
must have known that I meant "AquaSAFE" and not "AquaFresh." It was late at
night, I was tired, and I made an obvious typo. I don't see that as a reason
for sarcasm--especially between strangers who are trying to communicate about a
common interest. As to your caustic "Learn how to quote," I was doing what
used to work in these groups a long time ago. I saw when I logged on tonight to
read my replies that I was doing something wrong. Again, I don't need your
rebuke for something I was still figuring out. These newsgroups USED to be
nice, friendly forums, but I see times have changed.

[NetMax]

"Pat Trent" > wrote in message
...
> Oops! Yes, I meant "AquaSafe" not "AquaFresh" Don't know why I said
the
> latter, except that it was late at night and I was tired. Sorry.
>
> Some people in this group, including you, have been very nice and
helpful, but
> as for others--I really don't need to have my head taken off for an
obvious
> typo the first time I post to a new group. (I say "obvious" typo,
because
> AquaSafe is so well known it's obvious that's what I meant.)

If I can give you a tiny piece of advice, don't take all the comments you
read personally. The advice here is free, but not everyone is patient
AND generous AND helpful at the same time, all the time ;~). The proper
response to Jack (and one I think he might appreciate) is :p

NetMax :o)

[~Vicki ~]

Oh Pat please don't let a few bad apples spoil the bunch. Most of the
folks here are very friendly and willing to help. Just ignore the
negative and learn from the positive:)

Vicki

OK, so you're perfect, and you've never made a typo? Anyone who knows
fish must have known that I meant "AquaSAFE" and not "AquaFresh." It was
late at night, I was tired, and I made an obvious typo. I don't see that
as a reason for sarcasm--especially between strangers who are trying to
communicate about a common interest. As to your caustic "Learn how to
quote," I was doing what used to work in these groups a long time ago. I
saw when I logged on tonight to read my replies that I was doing
something wrong. Again, I don't need your rebuke for something I was
still figuring out. These newsgroups USED to be nice, friendly forums,
but I see times have changed.

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: OT: Re: Betta water changes
>From: Donald Kerns
>Date: 9/1/2003 11:10 AM Central Daylight Time
>Message-id: >
>
>High Flight wrote:
>
>>> but come December and January, I'll be getting concerned.
>>
>> And learn how to quote! news.announce.newusers
>>
>> Jack
>
>Jack's back (I'd been wondering...)
>
>And Tynk is at his neck within milliseconds.
>
>-Donald
>--

It had nothing to do with him. If You had said it I'd have told you off too.
It was simply rude and there was no need or use for it.

[Donald Kerns]

TYNK 7 wrote:

>>Jack's back (I'd been wondering...)
>>
>>And Tynk is at his neck within milliseconds.
>
> It had nothing to do with him. If You had said it I'd have told you
> off too. It was simply rude and there was no need or use for it.

No worries, Tynk. Consider me chastened.

-D
--
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy
enough people to make it worth the effort. -Herm Albright

[RedForeman ©®]

> I've been wondering about this myself; mine are in 2.25g (US gallons)
> and I calculated that needs about 10W of heater, but I don't know
> if they make them that small?

I've seen one that was a 5W, but not sure if it was adjustable, I kinda
think it was an 'always on' type thermostat... I used it for several years
in a 10g coldwater tank.... yes... gf... don't tell anyone...

> Anyone who can recommend one (preferably cheap!) for sale to the
> UK, i.e. find a suitable one as an example, ideally something on
> a uk website?

Sorry Flash, this one was on this side of the pond, but you may see them in
pet supplies stores, it was real cheap.... like $3 or something...

[NetMax]

"RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
...
>
> > I've been wondering about this myself; mine are in 2.25g (US gallons)
> > and I calculated that needs about 10W of heater, but I don't know
> > if they make them that small?
>
> I've seen one that was a 5W, but not sure if it was adjustable, I kinda
> think it was an 'always on' type thermostat... I used it for several
years
> in a 10g coldwater tank.... yes... gf... don't tell anyone...
>
> > Anyone who can recommend one (preferably cheap!) for sale to the
> > UK, i.e. find a suitable one as an example, ideally something on
> > a uk website?
>
> Sorry Flash, this one was on this side of the pond, but you may see
them in
> pet supplies stores, it was real cheap.... like $3 or something...

A Vancouver poster was looking for a small heater, 25w. The reply was:
The following are Canadian online vendors:

http://www.sal****erconnection.com/
http://www.jlaquatics.com/
http://www.aquaria.ca/
http://www.mops.ca/
http://www.bigalsonline.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?inCUR=CAN

Mops has what you are looking for: 19.99 + 6.95 shipping + 1.89 tax
= 28.83 CDN after taxes.

Perhaps one of these sites identifies a brand that you can get locally.
AFAIK, a 25W would work in a 2g tank but you would need to test it. It
goes without saying that a heater malfunction would not give you much
advance warning at a 12w/g ratio.

NetMax

[Flash Wilson]

On Wed, 3 Sep 2003 12:18:46 -0400, RedForeman ©® > wrote:
>I've seen one that was a 5W, but not sure if it was adjustable, I kinda
>think it was an 'always on' type thermostat... I used it for several years
>in a 10g coldwater tank.... yes... gf... don't tell anyone...

*grin*

>> Anyone who can recommend one (preferably cheap!) for sale to the
>> UK, i.e. find a suitable one as an example, ideally something on
>> a uk website?
>
>Sorry Flash, this one was on this side of the pond, but you may see them in
>pet supplies stores, it was real cheap.... like $3 or something...

No worries. All I've seen here are 25W and above, and they are
more than 15 UK pounds each! I don't mind spending money on my
hobby of course but it's a bad time and I can't really justify
that. I actually heat the tanks with an overhead desk lamp
which works fine for now, but I'm thinking it might not be enough
in winter (although we will have household heating on of course).

I'll check out some extra pet shops... the fish shops don't seem
to have them but maybe Petsmart or somewhere (that I don't usually
go) like that would have some.

Thanks for the advice!

--
Flash Wilson
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Commuting around the North Circular? Bored of the journey?
Have fun and be better informed at http://www.gorge.org/a406

[Flash Wilson]

On Wed, 3 Sep 2003 16:27:21 -0400, NetMax > wrote:
>A Vancouver poster was looking for a small heater, 25w. The reply was:
>The following are Canadian online vendors:
>
>http://www.sal****erconnection.com/
>http://www.jlaquatics.com/
>http://www.aquaria.ca/
>http://www.mops.ca/
>http://www.bigalsonline.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?inCUR=CAN
>
>Mops has what you are looking for: 19.99 + 6.95 shipping + 1.89 tax
>= 28.83 CDN after taxes.
>
>Perhaps one of these sites identifies a brand that you can get locally.

Thanks - I'll have a good look ;)

>AFAIK, a 25W would work in a 2g tank but you would need to test it. It
>goes without saying that a heater malfunction would not give you much
>advance warning at a 12w/g ratio.

Exactly so!


--
Flash Wilson
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"I'm an advocate of sex before marriage.
Otherwise I wouldn't have had any at all."

[Donald Kerns]

Flash Wilson wrote:

>>The following are Canadian online vendors:
>>
>>http://www.sal****erconnection.com/
>>http://www.jlaquatics.com/
>>http://www.aquaria.ca/
>>http://www.mops.ca/
>>http://www.bigalsonline.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?inCUR=CAN
>>
>>Mops has what you are looking for: 19.99 + 6.95 shipping + 1.89 tax
>>= 28.83 CDN after taxes.

Grrr, first the nice combo of lamps for $12US and now these links.
You're gonna make me work to keep up, aren't you... ;-)

-D
--
"When you've lost your ability to laugh, you've lost your ability to
think straight." -To Inherit the Wind

[NetMax]

"Donald Kerns" > wrote in message
...
> Flash Wilson wrote:
>
> >>The following are Canadian online vendors:
> >>
> >>http://www.sal****erconnection.com/
> >>http://www.jlaquatics.com/
> >>http://www.aquaria.ca/
> >>http://www.mops.ca/
> >>http://www.bigalsonline.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?inCUR=CAN
> >>
> >>Mops has what you are looking for: 19.99 + 6.95 shipping + 1.89 tax
> >>= 28.83 CDN after taxes.
>
> Grrr, first the nice combo of lamps for $12US and now these links.
> You're gonna make me work to keep up, aren't you... ;-)

I guess I could always quit posting ;~)

ps: good one => "A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but
it will annoy
enough people to make it worth the effort. -Herm Albright"

:o))
NetMax


> -D
> --
> "When you've lost your ability to laugh, you've lost your ability to
> think straight." -To Inherit the Wind