xxloviegirl422xx

I have a ten gallon tank with two male bettas, took them to my local pet stores, and one told me that my bettas had fin rot so I took it to another one where I was treated much better and the person there told me they did not. Unfortunatly I can not show pictures, but I have decided to treat their tank just in case. I bought Bettafix, which the man said would help with any disease or fungus they may have. I also bought an API Master test kit and these were my results:

ammonia Test - 0
nitrate - 0
nitrite - 0
pH - 6.0

So my question is should I raise the pH, and if so how would I accomplish this?

xxloviegirl422xx

I also took all the filters out of my tank (I had one for each side) in case that is the reason why my fishes fins are torn.

agabr123

you should put the filters back in, you need them to cycle the tank and keep it cycled.

6.0 is a little low, but it's MUCH easier to acclimate fish to pH than to try to change it. generally, it's more stressful to them for you to change it since a lot of times you can't get it exactly right. i've heard of a member leaving their water in a bucket just to sit for a day and that raised the pH, so that might work. otherwise i wouldn't mess with it too much.

xxloviegirl422xx

Ok, I am also looking into buying a new filter for the one side, one that does not hang into the water.

CHoffman

Hi Loviegirl.
Your API results look like to me that your tank isn't cycled. A cycled tank will show some nitrates. What is your water changing schedule like?? In your aquarium info it says your tank is 2 months old...Usually a tank is cycled in that amount of time.
Your betta's need a filter, So I would put them back in with some pantyhose or sponge around the filter intake so the fins can't get harmed by it.
Are you Betta's separated in the tank or together?

xxloviegirl422xx

They are separated.


I thought everything was supposed to be 0. I normally just add water as needed, I thought that the filter made it to where you did not have to do a water change. If I am wrong, please tell me. The tank was bought last minute and I am not sure what I am doing.

agabr123

ammonia and nitrIte should be zero, but nitrAte should be between 5 and 20, preferably closer to five.

you still have to do water changes with the filter, here's some info on the cycle and how it works
http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm
http://www.fishlore.com/Articles/TheNitrogenCycle.htm

xxloviegirl422xx

Thanks, I will read those.

agabr123

no problem

it's a lot of info to take in all at once, but eventually it will all come together, don't hesitate to ask any questions

xxloviegirl422xx

Oh, I wont, I want my bettas to be happy, that is why I saved them from those horrible little cups on the Walmart shelves.

CHoffman

Great job saving Betta babies!!!!!!.....SO glad to hear that your giving them a nice home and learning about them. Here is a Betta guide....Welcome and Betta Care Guide - Please Read First!!!

agabr123

i understand, five of my 11 bettas have been rescues....i just cant turn them away!

xxloviegirl422xx

Can someone explain to me why the Nitrates are imprtant to have. The guide says that it is harmful.

agabr123

a LOT of nitrates are harmful, but they are significantly less toxic than ammonia or nitrite.....i'm trying to think of a better way to explain this.....basically it's like this, a drop of ammonia in a teaspoon versus a drop of ammonia in a cup versus a drop of ammonia in a gallon, nitrAte is more like the drop of ammonia in a gallon as opposed to ammonia and nitrIte which are like the drops in a teaspoon.

it is still harmful in large amounts, which is why weekly or bi-weekly water changes are necessary. as long as your nitrAtes are under 20 then they aren't doing any harm to your bettas

CHoffman

Nitrates are necessary because of how the nitrogen cycle works...Your bettas are creating waste, (poop) and uneaten food, That is broken down and turns into ammonia, Ammonia is very toxic to fish...Good bacteria grows and uses the ammonia and turns it into nitrites. Nitrites are still harmful for your fish but less harmful then ammonia. Another kind of bacteria grows and uses the nitrites and turns into nitrates. Nitrates are harmless in small amounts..Nitrates are the end product of the cycle. So if your tank is cycled then you will have nitrates.

Lucy

When you have nitrates showing it means that the beneficial bacteria is beginning to process your ammonia and nitrites.

Nitrates are the end result of the bacteria processing the ammonia to nitrites and the nitrites to nitrates.

'd by cesch again today. Nice explanation

shih-tzu mom

Please do not use Betta-Fix it is not much good and what did this other LFS tell you what was wrong with your betta's?? keep doing water changes and use prime or stress-coat+ for water changes until you find out what is really wrong with them lol the best treatment until then, is clean pristine water lol hope this helps.bella

xxloviegirl422xx

The guy just said it was not fin rot, it was either self tail biting or the filter =(

midnightwolf

some bettas do bite their own tails, keep an eye on him and see if its him or the filter

xxloviegirl422xx

As for stress coat I use the API brand everytime I add new water to the tank.

I have been checking, I have seen no sign of tail biting, so I am assuming it is the filter.

agabr123

if you can post a picture of him that would be really helpful, generally with fin rot there is some discoloration around the area that's falling off. usually with tail biting it will be a pretty clean cut rather than a few tears (they get better at it with practice unfortunately, as i've found out with one of my betta boys)

xxloviegirl422xx

Well, my camera is not taking photos very well, and they seem to be camera shy. I will say though that it is looking significantly better without the filter in his side, I think I am just going to buy a new one that does not hang into the water.

shih-tzu mom

xx- might be worth a thought if you think that is what is doing it. And do you know about a gravel vac? for cleaning the bottom ofyour tank lol?? as it has to be cleaned to pick up leftover food and [poop] to keep the ammonia down in your tank. glad that your'e finding out what is wrong with your betta's and sounds like your'e giving them a good home and they will love you for it. Remember clean, clean, clean water and healthy betta's. haha- good luck bella