Martinismommy

I'm going to be doing the remodel on Will's home this week...I'm a little nervous about disturbing him....My question is , is it OK to net him to move him out during the remodel or should I try and catch him in a cup?

Also, is it OK to use tap water with a conditioner or should I go with bottled water....I do my water changes with bottled water but I want to drain the tank down low so I can put the plants and decor in....If I use bottled water it is $8.00 for 5 gallons awwwwwwwwwwwk..

Any help/info will be appreciated...

Thank you, Karen

Lucy

I always scoop Prissy out with her cup.
I use a scoop for other fish too, should I have to move them.

Nets just creep me out....the fish wiggling and out of water. I feel like I would hurt them, but that's just me.

Is there a reason don't use conditioned tap water for regular water changes?
I'm going to leave the water switch to the experts, but if you decide to use conditioned tap, you'd have to accumulate Will very slowly due to the changes.

Good luck.

sirdarksol

If you use bottled water, I would suggest using bottled water for the remodel. Your tap water likely has a hugely different mineral content, and doing a near total switch like that could really shock his system.

I agree that cups are best, especially for bettas (I always worry about damaging delicate fins). You can use a net to herd him toward the cup, or you can use food to get him to sit right over the opening of the cup (I hold the cup at a 45 degree angle, completely submerged, and put a bit of food right above it). He gets the food, I gently lift the cup, and transfer him to quarantine or wherever he's going)

chickadee

If you use tap water with conditioner now then he and the remodel will be fine with it and if the tap water is fine when you test it and no high nitrates or nitrites present there is no reason to spend the extra on filtered water. Also never purchase the type that is not sealed and fail to dechlorinate. several unscupulous vendors have been found to sell tap water out of the machines where you "fill your own jugs" and it is chlorinated. (even though they say it is not) It would be fine if they kept the filter maintenance up but sometimes they get behind and it falls out of date and you are getting the same water you would be getting from your sink. It wouldn't kill you to drink it but your fish are another matter. So if I am going to pay to buy water I get the ones that are sealed at the factory.

He can stay in the tank unless you are changing out the gravel and all. If the old gravel or substrate is going then he needs to leave the tank while you do that and refill the tank. I always net my bettas and they are little gentlemen when I do. Just make sure the net is big enough. So many people try to do it with a little bitty net and you really need a 4 or 5 inch net or so. They are harder to learn to use but the fish behave in them so much better. I love my big net and it gives the fish plenty of room to lay flat.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=3861

There is the net I use (5"x4" with 24" handle) and it works really slick.

Rose

COBettaCouple

I like to scoop our Bettas up in a cup.. often a bloodworm in the right spot makes it easier.

I like using tap water conditioned with both Prime and Fish Protector.

Martinismommy

It's all done! I decided to leave him in the tank and try not to cause too much stress on him.....He is old and I was afraid of what might happen.....I did a 10 gallon drain and put his new furniture in I thought for a minute we may have a JUMPER on our hands He was afraid of the plants at 1st....After it was all done he acclimated well and is smimming around and choosing on the purple flowers I think he was confussed thinking they were new fish...

Anyway, here is Wills old boring home..


And here is Wills new 55 gallon playground! He is having a ball...It's still clearing up but I wanted to share..


You can see how small he is in this photo..I always share close ups so I decided to share this pic of Will...He is the only child in this 55 gallon..It looks so cool I want to jump in and join him This tank is in my entry way so it is hard to get a good shot of it....

ricktavious

Wow, he is one lucky fish!!! Wish I could give all mine a home like that, heck, I wish I had a home that looked that much fun

COBettaCouple

What a great looking Betta palace!

KonaBoy

Very nice

Lucy

It looks nice, good job!

chickadee

Lucky Will! He looks totally overwhelmed and happy. I think you spoil your baby, hmm? Good for you!

Rose

mouthmaid

What a beautiful tank for a stunning fish. Thanks everyone for the info on getting them out of the tank with a cup. The net is as traumatic for me as it is for my Ghost!

Keely

COBettaCouple

True, I hate to net the fish unless I really have to.

LetDiceFly

When I changed tanks on my females, I scooped them up in the cups they came in. They were not happy at all to be back in there and swished and butted around for the couple hours it took me to get the new tank set up. Can't imagine how upset they would have been if they had to flop around in a net. Flash has never left his tank since he moved in. I even changed the substrate with him in there. And once I drained the water down to where he could barely swim and moved the tank. He actually is pretty calm about it all, he seems more curious then upset or stressed.

COBettaCouple

Yea, Mickey is like Flash. He's only been out of his tank twice.. the first time was his first tank cleaning, the other time was the move here.