xxloviegirl422xx

I guess I should start from the beginning. About two months ago I bought a little half gallon plastic tank from Walmart with a divider and two male bettas. After a few days I relized that my fish were very unhappy and I started to feel bad. I went to a local fish store and the mane there informed me that bettas actually like warm water and space to move around in. When I found this out, I went out and bought a ten gallon tank and a divider afraid that my bettas (GooGoo and GaaGaa) were dying. I set the tank up that day and I could tell a definate improvement in their activity.
Soon after setting up the tank with the divider I noticed a slime coat building across the top of the water on the side without a filter, so I bought a small filter that hung into the water for the other side. Soon after I realized that the betta (GooGoo) on the side with the newly installed filter fins were getting shorter and shorter. Today I was told on a thread that it was possible that GooGoo had fin rot, upon hearing that I took both of my bettas to the local pet store and was told that they did in fact both have fin rot. I had dipped some water out of my tank to carry GooGoo and GaaGaa in so the man tested my water and said that the conditions were fine, did not tell me any numbers though.
Basically the man gave me a tablet to put in the water and shooed me away. So, I was wondering if there was someone who could explain to me how to treat my tank or send me to a page.
Also, I would like to add some plants to my tank (Amazon Swords) for the fish to enjoy since the original plastic plants I bought tore their fins and I had to take them out. I was wondering if this would be an appropriate time to add them in, and if I have to have special rocks for them to grow in (I currently have blue and pink ones) all the pictures I have seen for them have had a very natural coloured rocks.
Lastly, I would also like to add some rocks so they can have hiding spots if they wish. Is this a good idea for bettas or should I stick with the clayish tunnel things I have now. Basically, will bettas even care or will it all be there to be pretty?
Hope this was not too long and that someone will actually reply, all help is really appreciated.

xxloviegirl422xx

Also, if you wanna answer.... Do bettas like the pellets or dried worms better?

I want them to like the environment they are in.

NUMB3RS

I would a small water cahnge and then you just simply turn off your filter and place the tablet in the water and let it sit for a week and then turn on the filter. Bettas can live without a filter. I would get a few LIVE plants but please remember that LIVE plants need special lighting they need artifical sunlight that will let them grow and be as magnificent as it can get! You might need some extra lighting or a better bulb you should ask your LFS for more info as it is hard tot ype it all...LOL

Amanda

Amazon swords get HUGE, you're better off with anacharis, anubias, and java fern.
A varied diet is best for bettas.

xxloviegirl422xx

Thanks, I will try to ask them, but they are pretty rude.

xxloviegirl422xx

Thanks Amanda for all your help today.

Amanda

No problem, that's what we're all here for!
As for lighting, I'm assuming that you have a 15w bulb, since that's standard.
That would give you 1.5 watts per gallon, which is a good place to start.
As I said, java fern, java moss, anubias, anacharis are all good starter plants.
Some smaller forms of Val may grow also.
Crypts would work, but often are susceptible to "crypt rot".
Plantgeek.net is a good place to do some research.

xxloviegirl422xx

I was looking into java moss, but I was afraid it would affect my filters. I will also need two plants so both bettas are treated fairly. I like the anacharis.

I will go there now

dogyluver

I was wondering what the pill was that the man gave you. I wouldn't use any thing without knowing what it is. Melafix is a natural botanical extract from tea-tree. But to me more of a preventitive medicine than a cure. And you must remove the carbon filter.
The best way to go is Maracyn-two by Mardel. It's a broad spectrum antibiotic, the treatment is 1 pill for every 10 gallons for 7 days. It will not harm the biological filter, and it's safe for most fish. After the 7th treatment do a 25% water change. Check the temp on the water making sure the temp is the same. Betta's prefer about 78-84. raise the temp slowly if you haven't already. Also 2 male betta's in the same tank is rather stressful. Better off to get a female, but don't put them together until they are ready to spawn.

agabr123

please do NOT use melafix on your betta, the active ingredient is extremely dangerous to labyrinth fish (bettas, gouramis, etc). i use jungle buddies tabs and they haven't messed up any of my cycles. to be safe you can put the filter media in a plastic bag with used tank water and do daily water changes for the duration of the treatment.

bettas prefer 78-79, anything above that is too warm unless you're treating for ICH.

as far as food, i give my bettas four pellets (atisons betta pro pellets, but hikari is just as good) twice a day, fast one day of the week, and give them frozen bloodworms one meal a week.

two males in the tank is fine if there is a divider and they can't see/aren't flaring at each other


info on melafix
All Betta Owners Read!!!!! Melafix Alert!!!!!! Read!!!! Read!!!! Danger!!!!
MELAFIX ALERT FOR LABYRINTH FISH....ALL PLEASE READ

xxloviegirl422xx

Good thing I did not start the treatment last night. I will trade the melafix in for the jungle buddy tabs if I can since that is what most have told me to get. I am sure that if he messed up by giving me that then I should get another opinion. I am going to go get a second opinion before I start anything, I did not like the way the man treated me, I want to get the best opinion.


Also, you can see through the divider I have, but only one of the males (GooGoo who has the most prominent tale loss) is the only one who flares up. Is there a special divider that I can buy so that the fish can not see each other, but still allows the filters to work.


Also, would it be best to take out both filters in case that is what caused the problem?

shih-tzu mom

Hi: java fern is usually sucsessful, with betta's, as they like something to rest on at night. And i feed Hakari pellet's and i also feed bloodworms and brine shrimp 1-2-for the week. And betta's will get constipated and you can use a frozen pea-that has the skin taken off and put it in the micro for a sec; or 2-and shell the pea and cut to size 1-time for the week and your babies will stay healthy. I also use a bit of garlic-gard once a week to build up their immune system.Please do not!!! use melifix or primefix as not good for betta's or gourmais, above link will tell you why. bella

xxloviegirl422xx

What do you think the best plant would be? Thanks, I read about the pea bit earlier. I didnt even know fish could get constipated, I just bought them cause I felt bad for them.


P.S. I own two shih-tzus.

shih-tzu mom

Hi: and for your divider you can attach java-fern to it and it will grow not affecting your filter and make sure it is attached to your divider, and i don't think your filter's are the problem with your betta's it appears to be fin-rot and your lfs don't always tell you the truth lol and hoping you will find lot's of good info here on fish lore lol, pretty well all divder's betta's can see through and the best way is to attach a plant so the other one can't see. bella

shih-tzu mom

Yes, that is one of my tzu's as i have 2-as well and i have 13 betta's. bella

xxloviegirl422xx

Ok, I was afraid it would mess up the two filters, but I am thinking about taking them out anyways.

shih-tzu mom

why, would you want to take them out?bella

xxloviegirl422xx

I dont think the bettas like them, they have a strong current and the bettas always seem to be going in circles around them, it is hard to explain.

shih-tzu mom

You- can turn down the flow or put a sponge in front of them as they like a light flow-not blowing around the tank lol some people use a nylon to slow down the flow, but i like the sponge lol as the flow seems to be perfect and they even like to play in it. bella

xxloviegirl422xx

Ok, I will try that, thanks for the help

shih-tzu mom

Welcome and good luck-with your babies. bella

agabr123

i rubber banded an extra piece of filter media to the output of the filter in my betta tank, you definitely need the filters though otherwise ammonia will build up to toxic levels.