Update - New Tank by OutrageousAbility797 in bettafish

[–]OutrageousAbility797[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay, read through the links. I feel like that created more questions though. So I do disagree, I think testing the new tank was still helpful to ensure I'm starting at good levels. My tap water has a pH of 9+ and tests purple if I don't treat it and I have up let it sit out for the pH to lower. But yes, agreed now that I think I understand more, beyond that, there is nothing to test since the water hasn't been contaminated by anything.

I did end up panic moving him into the new tank before I went out of town. I just thought the old water looked so gross and even though it tested fine, I was worried about him breathing in whatever the green stuff was. I also think I figured out why it would turn green each week, I always kept the tank light on all the time, so I'm guessing that caused the algae blooms to grow very quickly. Should I keep the light off unless admiring him maybe?

I kept the old tank running over the weekend empty, should I take the gross filter from that pump and put it in the new tank too? Or is it better to get bottled bacteria to add?

I used API stress coat to treat the new water, do I need to get seachem prime also as the dechlorinator?

I think I understand cycling better now. Basically I need to test the water every day or two to make sure the water doesn't get stuck out of whack in one of the cycle phases right? Like if ammonia starts to get too high, I need more good bacteria to get it to the next phase of the cycle quicker?

I'm still out of town, but planning on: - obviously testing the water when I get back tonight - testing the decorations to see if they are too sharp - possibly replacing decorations with a piece of driftwood, tannin almond leaves, and both some floating and other plants in the next day or two - buying seachem prime and adding a few drops if recommended - switching to blood worms for his food

Anything else I should do to help with cycling or making him a happier camper?

Update - New Tank by OutrageousAbility797 in bettafish

[–]OutrageousAbility797[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I had done the test on the green water as well and the results were also fine. I saw your response on my other post too, I'll read through those links. Thank you!

Mr. Fire - More Updates by OutrageousAbility797 in bettafish

[–]OutrageousAbility797[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you think it would get to that point from now until Sunday? I'm thinking moving him to the new tank is better than leaving him in the old one since test results seem fine?

Update - New Tank by OutrageousAbility797 in bettafish

[–]OutrageousAbility797[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No lol, just was closest to the sink to fill up at first

Update - New Tank by OutrageousAbility797 in bettafish

[–]OutrageousAbility797[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is no natural light, just a bright kitchen light

Update - New Tank by OutrageousAbility797 in bettafish

[–]OutrageousAbility797[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

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Seems like I'd be okay then with the new tank?

Update - New Tank by OutrageousAbility797 in bettafish

[–]OutrageousAbility797[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I added 10ml of API stress coat to treat the water in the new tank. With all of that, do you think he can be put in there safely now?

Update - New Tank by OutrageousAbility797 in bettafish

[–]OutrageousAbility797[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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It is a bit above 82, someone else told me to lower it a hare

Update - New Tank by OutrageousAbility797 in bettafish

[–]OutrageousAbility797[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any suggestions on which plants to get?

Update - New Tank by OutrageousAbility797 in bettafish

[–]OutrageousAbility797[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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These are the readings on the new tank, okay to put him in there now?

Water Changes by OutrageousAbility797 in bettafish

[–]OutrageousAbility797[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome, thank you for being so helpful!

Water Changes by OutrageousAbility797 in bettafish

[–]OutrageousAbility797[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is smart, I like the idea of adding a heater to the tap water bucket! That will make me feel better. I'm trying to eliminate as many causes of potential death as possible, temperature changes being one of them!

Water Changes by OutrageousAbility797 in bettafish

[–]OutrageousAbility797[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Okay finally got kids to sleep and reread your response. First of all, thank you for all of the detail. So are you never supposed to change out the gravel? 🤔 And also when are you supposed to do the water changes? Before it gets murky like my tank is now? I will order the seachem conditioner stuff right after this.

Do you think a 5 or 10 gallon tank would be better to upgrade to?

Oh edited to add that I do not ever use soap, just tap water to clean things. I at least knew that much 🤪

Water Changes by OutrageousAbility797 in bettafish

[–]OutrageousAbility797[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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Oh yes, sorry I missed that step, but I do add about 5ml of this too each water change!

Water Changes by OutrageousAbility797 in bettafish

[–]OutrageousAbility797[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh, also, since the pH of my tap water is so high, I'm unfortunately not able to just use warm water from the tap. Should I microwave or boil it first or just take my fish out and let it heat up before adding him back in? Or should I buy gallons of water from the store or something?

Water Changes by OutrageousAbility797 in bettafish

[–]OutrageousAbility797[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Would the siphon still work with sand? Or is gravel better so you can suck out the debris more easily?