the closest pet store to me is petsmart, and they dont have a (in my opinion) good selection of live plants that are beneficial to bettas. where do you guys buy your plants?
also on a different note, what's the best way to change a filter? I imagine you cant use the same filter forever, had mine for about a month now so curious how you all change it!
*pic of my girl and yes she was this pale when I got her!
https://i.redd.it/d4lla1f9a4tg1.jpeg
Posted by massy_ass
3 Comments
Don’t change your filter! It is where beneficial bacteria is stored. The most you should ever do is to squeeze the filter gently into the removed water from a water change. You should never clean it unless it is so clogged that its no longer functioning. Then, like I said, minimal cleaning- that bacteria is absolutely essential to maintain the nitrogen cycle thar converts toxic ammonia (fish poo) into other compounds.
Same goes for substrate- never take it out and wash it all the way clean! Use a siphon to suck up gunk. The bacteria live in the filter, substrate, rocks/wood- anything hardscape
Dont change your filter or filter media, it removes all the beneficial bacteria and will crash your cycle. When you do water changes, rinse the filter media in removed tank water (never tap water or non-dechlorinated water), just rinse it and put it back in. Never change it unless its absolutely falling apart.
For plants, shop on Etsy. A lot of shops offer buy 2 get 1 free.
If you live in the US, Glass Aqua is the best online plant shop I’ve used.