agabr123

Billy's tail base is all red....

but he is extremely active and engages with us, and wants more food no matter what.

2.5gal tank, temperature 80F. We're working on getting new readings for water parameters, and will post them as soon as we get them.

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billy4.jpg (274.7 KB, 21 views)

Shawnie

he looks great to me!! and once they recieve great care, their true colors come out...is he new to you? if hes not acting sick, and water parimeters are good, id leave him be ...can you get an entire pic of that handsome boy?

agabr123

We've had him for a little less than two months, but he's been through a few different tank changes. Our water parameters have been worrying me recently, we're testing our tap water right now to see what the levels are and his levels were 1.0 ammonia, 1.0 nitrite, 5.0 nitrate. I just added some ammolock to his tank, and we gave all four of our bettas between 50-75% water changes but still no difference.

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billy5.jpg (264.0 KB, 15 views)

agabr123

Here's another picture of him but it's a little blurry.

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billy2.JPG (281.6 KB, 18 views)

Shawnie

if you can, stop using ammonia lock and get some prime...prime is safe while you are cycleing and will neutralize the ammonia and nitrites for 24 hours until your next water change...the ammon lock makes the ammon unavailable to the bacteria that needs it to cycle....it takes time to cycle but with the prime and daily changes, it will happen...

Shawnie

he is stunning!!!!!

agabr123

We use the reccommended dose of prime and our ammonia is still too high, we've also been doing frequent water changes. We aren't currently using a filter on his tank so I'm not necessarily concerned about the cycle as much as making sure he doesn't have ammonia burns.

agabr123

Thank you, he was our first betta so we're definitely a bit partial to him!

Shawnie

prime will NOT remove ammonia..only makes it safe for them for the 24 hours...so keep using it and dont worry ..but do NOT use the ammon lock ...you want the ammoni there for the cycle purpose but you want it safe and the prime will do that....

agabr123

Don't I want 0 ammonia though because I don't have a filter and it isn't cycling?

Alessa

Those red patches are called ammonia poisoning. You really want to be getting a filter, otherwise the health of your little one is at risk.

He is really pretty though.

Shawnie

ammonia is needed to cycle the tank but even more so is a filter....the prime neutralizes the ammonia so it isnt toxic for 24 hours..then you need another water change with some prime....why dont you have a filter? if its something you cant get, then the water changes daily with the prime will at least help him and his health until you can get one....

Lucy

He's a beautiful boy!

Every one's given good advice. If you don't want to (or can't because of the filter situation) cycle the tank, daily water changes until you're readings are 0. Then as often as needed to maintain those levels at 0.

The ammonia and nitrite reading you've posted are toxic to your fish.
Although you can see with your eyes damage done by ammonia (red streaks, red gills) You can't see what it's doing to him internally.

Does he have a heater?

agabr123

He does have a heater. We tested our tap water and the ammonia is at 1.5. Does the API master test kit still show ammonia that has been detoxified by prime or is the reading the harmful ammonia and not the ammonia that has been detoxified?

Shawnie

yes you will still get a reading...it doesnt remove it just neutralizes it,,,I would get some spring water to do his water changes with..putting ammonia back in the tank isnt helping

agabr123

Okay, well that makes sense, but I have another question then. If it's merely ammonia poisoning, then why do our other small tanks have different readings? The same volume of water is changed at the same time and none of them have filters. (We have four tanks of similar size.) His ammonia reading is the highest by far. He also is the only one with a planted tank.

Filters in each tank may not be viable. Would it help significantly to have live plants? We would be looking at something like Java fern (we can't do anything but very low maintenance.)

We are going to use some bottled water we have that is distilled/RO water. I'm assuming it's not ideal but better than tap water for the short term.

Shawnie

you can have all different kinds of ammon readings in every tank...depends on how much waste one fish gives compared to another..depends on how much food one fish eats and one doesnt which then turns to waste...there could be many reasons for different readings..I just went to walmart last night and they have whisper filters for 1-3 gallons of water for $8 each...the would do wonders for your boys and help you with maintaning your water....live plants will help with your nitrates but you dont have any yet where you are still cycleing....and I agree your bottled water will be better than your tap as the ammonia in your tap keeps setting you back

agabr123

Thank you. I think that for now while I have to wait I'll give them 100% water changes with prime. We have a lot to buy tonight!

Allie

Each tank has it's own bioload. Depending on which fish and how many fish, how big your tank is...all reading should be different.