So I just got Scott last Friday. I had 2 fish as a kid and In hindsight, they probably didn’t live a great life as my family nor I did research on betta. I’ve wanted another for 6 months and got one Friday and thought I didn enough research, but after looking here I feel I’m over my head. So my question is, what can I do to make Scott happier!
I’m going today to get some plants and maybe a hide for him sense I’ve heard they are important
I also noticed the water is orange for some reason so I’m doing a water change today too.
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Posted by Red_Scream
9 Comments
The water may be orange from the driftwood, I had that issue too. Did you boil it a little?
So water is orange more than likely from the tannins in the drift wood. Tannins are great for bettas and most fish. I personally like tannin tanks. They need a low flow filter and a heater. 78-82 degree Fahrenheit is good temp range for them. Get a water test kit from Amazon, the actual kit not the strips. And the more plants the merrier, they’re your natural filters.
Just research the nitrogen cycle and add your plants and he’ll be ok! And if you can get a API Master test kit to check for ammonia
Water turns orange from the tannins in the wood! tannins is actually beneficial and has so many good properties! I would look into the nitrogen cycle, and cycle your tank! It can take about 20 months depending. It can seem confusing at first but once you figure it out it’s actually fun! I would also recommend api water test kit (the liquid kind) it seems pricey but you get SOOO many tests out of it. The test strip kind are inaccurate. I can’t tell if that is a heater or not, but definitely get a heater! I also recommend a sponge filter, the one i prefer sits in the bottom of the tank and has a gentle flow, perfect for bettas, and holds beneficial bacteria which is great! More live plants for sure as well 🙂 this is my current set up, he got a new tank for christmas. Upgraded from a 10 gal to a 20 long!
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Java ferns are great 🙂
I can relate to feeling overwhelmed reading all the things in this sub but just take it one thing at a time. first an fish in cycle – there’s a pinned article “I got a betta as a gift now what” or something like that. it will tell you how to do a fish in cycle and all the supplies.
you’re clearly willing and wanting to do it right – I think that’s half the battle!
Just don’t panic! You won’t kill your fish in a day or two.
👍… you can master this with no problem! Don’t skimp on your regular water changes, since it looks like a nano-tank, and pay attention to what you’re feeding him. Blood worms are not what pet shops tout them to be.
If you can feed live food, that’s always best!
Anubias and Java ferns are great beginner plants! Just don’t bury them in the sand and instead stick them to the rock or wood (use superglue for this, it’s plant safe).
The water is that color from the driftwood leaking tannins, which is actually beneficial for the betta! It has anti microbial properties which can help its health! It’ll eventually stop releasing tannins, but you can use almond/catappa leaves to do the same thing if you like the look!
I’d bring the leaf hammock closer to the surface as bettas like to rest closer to the surface, about half an inch below the water is a good spot!
Otherwise, look up how to deal with a “fish-in cycle” to help your buddy! An API master kit (pricey but lasts forever) will be your best friend during this. get a big bottle of beneficial bacteria and a bottle of water conditioner and you should be set!
Not bad at all, especially considering how many brightly colored plastic decor and gravel we see. Plants will be great and orange is ok-tannins.