Lucy

If you meant SafeStart...then yes, you got it, but add the dechlorinator (AquaSafe) at the same time as you add your water.

Good luck!

pamelakt

Sorry - I did mean that. I knew what I meant

AquaSafe and fresh water one day, SateStart plus fishy the next.

By next weekend I should be in action! With no doubt even more questions!

Lucy

Sounds good!

jdhef

I would just add the AquaSafe when I filled the tank. Then wait until the next day to add SafeStart & Fish.

pamd

Your plan sounds good! I read up on SafeStart when it became available in the U.S. about six months ago. (It's been available in Europe for longer.) I don't know if user reviews have changed since then, but it was generally getting rave reviews mixed with many fewer disappointments.

Do you know how to acclimate your new friend before you put him in the tank? If the garden centre people tell you it's not necessary for a betta, don't believe them.

pamelakt

Do you mean floating the bag? I fully intend to float him for half an hour so he can adjust to the temperature.

What I am wondering actually while you've brought that up - am I supposed to leak some of the new tank water into the bag for a further few minutes before releasing him?

And - how do I release him without letting his old shop water into his new tank? SHould I use a net?

Lucy

It would be a good idea to acclimate your new baby for about an hour.

Along with the temperature you'll want to indroduce him to the tank water slowly because of the differences there might be between the store's water supply abd yours.

Add a some water from your tank into the bag little by little. If the bag gets too full empty some out (not into your tank) and continue adding tank water. By the end of the process it'll mostly be your tank water in the bag.

sirdarksol

Sorry about the issues. Excellent advice above.

Some stores have deals with certain vendors in which they will push that vendors' products over the competitions. Other stores may simply have believed bad information given to them by these vendors. Either situation may have happened here.

pamelakt

An hour, ok I will do that. How will I transfer him from the bag to the water? Cos there will likely be a bit of the shop stuff still in the bag won't there?

I'm feeling alot happier now. I took everything back today and swapped for Aquasafe and SafeStart. Also got a Gravel Cleaner, and 2 buckets.

I'm just missing water, plants, and a fish now!

Lucy

Very good! Not swayed or confused by well meaning salespeople.

By the time your done acclimating him/her there probably won't be much fish store water left in the bag, mostly just your tank water.
You can scoop out most of the water left in the bag and discard it.

You can let him kind of swim out, gently guiding him with a net.....be easy on his/her delicate fins.

pamelakt

OK I'll see how I get on! Thanks for all the help, I'm feeling much better now!

Lucy

You'll do fine.

One more thing that's very important. Once your new baby settles in, we require pictures. lol

pamelakt

There will be loads of pictures don't you worry!!!!! I can't wait!!!! I expect I'll get him next weekend, probably sunday if I can see one I like

pamd

I acclimate exactly the same way Lucy does, except I didn't need to use a net to guide the fish into the tank. I just gently tip the bag and the fish swims out. Good idea to have a net standing by in case you need it, though.

Like Lucy says, you'll do fine.

sirdarksol

After the first batch of fish go in, it is a good idea to net the fish rather than tip the bag into the tank. There's always the possibility of the pet store's aquarium water containing a parasite, bacteria, or virus. Yes, the fish is likely to also carry this (which is why we suggest quarantining), but it's best to minimize the amount of potential contamination.

This isn't to say that I haven't taken the short-cut of just emptying the bag into the aquarium, just that it's not a good idea to do so.

pamd

I think she's just getting one betta, Sir. If she gets a cup baby or orders from a breeder, he would have had his own water for a while (shared with siblings when he was a teeny baby though).

If the very diluted little bit of cup water left in the bag had any nasties in it, I think he'd most likely have the problem himself. Or would the store possibly use water from other tanks? If so, I'd worry. If not, which is riskier: having a tiny bit of cup water in the tank or risk tearing his fins and stressing him by netting? I'm not really disagreeing with what you said, just asking. Personally, I'd avoid the net but I'll be interested in seeing what you and others say.

If she gets one who's been in a tank with any other fish or even a snail, no doubt she should net him.

sirdarksol

Sorry, I read "minnows or tetras" in one of the first posts, and got confused as to the end inhabitants.

Still, some people have other critters in with their bettas, and it's a good piece of advice in these cases.
I do try to avoid netting my fish as much as I can. Sometimes you can't avoid it, though. (thankfully, my betta is the sole inhabitant of his tank, and he's pretty willing to swim into a cup if I need to move him)

Lucy

I use a cup if I have to move any of my fish/frogs...never the net, I just can't stand to see them lying in it so helpless even if just for a moment and I'm always afraid of them getting hurt.
When I said use a net....I meant just to guide it.