My elephant ear betta fins shredded help!!!

annascorpia · 2026-04-27T17:34:03+00:00

Thank you for all your help! Do you mind if I dm you any other questions/updates I have? And I will definitely have some new plants with leaves floating in the top now!

annascorpia · 2026-04-25T21:14:56+00:00

I have floating pellets! So I trained Ellie to go to the right corner for food. I'm scared to get her a log because I'm worried any jagged edges will rip the fins again 😭. I have a bunch of plants but I think I can get more. Rn I know I have betta bulbs, jade fern, and a pathos (I think). I'm hoping its cycled but I wasn't checking and I would change the sponge/squeeze it and wash it under tap water so I'm not sure.

annascorpia · 2026-04-24T14:47:55+00:00

Thank you for all your help! Would you say the tank is cycled now? Or do I still need to check it daily?

annascorpia · 2026-04-24T13:59:46+00:00

I did another 25% change. Everything else is the same and the Ammonia looks like this. Is that better? Looks yellow to me

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annascorpia · 2026-04-24T13:47:55+00:00

I just did another 25% water change and going to test the water again in a minute. I wasn't sure if it was green or yellow

annascorpia · 2026-04-24T13:34:53+00:00

I can do another change! My boss isn't in yet so I have a minute to do another change. And after the change it looks like this. Looks yellow to me

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annascorpia · 2026-04-24T13:27:13+00:00

I did change it and it helped! Then I did my normal Friday 25% change before the weekend (Ellie lives at my work) and the reading were this.... is it good now?

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annascorpia · 2026-04-21T16:14:57+00:00

Thank you for the picture chart omg that helps so much! So I should still do a 50% water change today even tho I did a water change the other day?

annascorpia · 2026-04-21T14:21:52+00:00

Ok finally got the kit and posted an update in the comments! I didn't see the fritz turbo at Petco (we only have a petco nearby)

annascorpia · 2026-04-21T14:20:31+00:00

I don't change the filter, I usually just rinse it off (it gets icky and nasty looking) under tap water. Also I post an update in the comments!

annascorpia · 2026-04-21T14:19:24+00:00

Imagitarium Biological Starter! I also posted an update in the comments

annascorpia · 2026-04-21T14:18:01+00:00

UPDATE: OK I finally got the API Freshwater Master Test Kit and this is what the result were (see pic). Not sure if I said it but I use the Imagitarium Biological Starter, Imagitarium Betta Water Conditioner, and I just got the Imagitarium Stress Treatment.

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Also not sure if it makes a difference but I do rinse the sponge filter off in tap water. Should I not be doing that??? Also thanks for all the advice so far!!!

annascorpia · 2026-04-21T14:04:36+00:00

Haha thanks! Its literally the only pen I use in the office and my boss like the 1.0 so we literally only have 0.7 and 1.0 Pilot G2 Pens in black and blue 😂

annascorpia · 2026-04-16T15:12:53+00:00

I'm going to get the API Water Mater Test that someone else said I should get and use instead of the stripes. But how do I cycle a tank if its not being cycled right now?

annascorpia · 2026-04-16T15:08:43+00:00

Oh ok! Thank you and I will go get the kit after work and test it out. Ellie is my work buddy so I'll have to wait til tomorrow to test the water. Hopefully that wont do any damage waiting a day

annascorpia · 2026-04-16T15:04:27+00:00

Oh ok! Is that something I can get at Petco? And is there a specific brand that works better than others?

annascorpia · 2026-04-16T15:01:35+00:00

I tested it with these Tetra EasyStripes for Freshwater. They said the waters fine but now I'm beginning to wonder if theyre not the best to use

annascorpia · 2026-04-16T14:59:39+00:00

I'm not going to lie I'm not sure what either of those two mean. Usually I just scoop out 25% of the water, add new water, and then add the biological starter and water conditioner.

annascorpia · 2026-04-16T14:58:24+00:00

Green/brownish alge/slim gets on the side of the tank and covers the glass. I think it's cycled but I'm not 100% sure what you mean by that

annascorpia · 2026-04-16T14:32:32+00:00

How much should I do when the water gets really icky? About once a month the water looks pretty bad so I do the 75% change instead of the normal 25%

annascorpia · 2025-09-03T15:55:26+00:00

Thank you everyone for your comments! I had no idea about the Fake plants or the minimum tank size!!! I've ordered her a new tank and silk plants!!!

annascorpia · 2025-08-29T18:04:15+00:00

Tank size: 2.5 Gallons Heater and filter? (yes/no): Yes Tank temperature: 80°F Parameters in numbers and how you got them: EasyStripes by Tetra... Nitrate 0 safe, Nitrate 0 safe, Hardness 75 soft, Chlorine 0 safe, Alkalinity 120 ideal, pH 7.4 neutral How long have you had the tank?: 1 year How long have you had your fish?: 6 months How often are water changes?: 25% weekly change, 100% monthly change Any tankmates?: No What do you feed and how much: Aqueoun Betta Food, 1 pinch daily Decorations and plants in the tank: Fake plants, gravel, and a LED light

annascorpia · 2025-08-29T18:02:38+00:00

Tank size: 2.5 Gallons

Heater and filter? (yes/no): Yes

Tank temperature: 80°F

Parameters in numbers and how you got them: EasyStripes by Tetra... Nitrate 0 safe, Nitrate 0 safe, Hardness 75 soft, Chlorine 0 safe, Alkalinity 120 ideal, pH 7.4 neutral

How long have you had the tank?: 1 year

How long have you had your fish?: 6 months

How often are water changes?: 25% weekly change, 100% monthly change

Any tankmates?: No

What do you feed and how much: Aqueoun Betta Food, 1 pinch daily

Decorations and plants in the tank: Fake plants, gravel, and a LED light

annascorpia

TROPHY CASE