Betta Questions - Filter Questions And Finrot Questions

HI there
Sorry long post

BACKGROUND on me

I’ve had two veiltails before that lived for 3 years each.
For those in NZ their tanks setups were the animates Betta set up ones- a single one each not the duo one.
Their tanks were not cycled, they lived in a heatered (25w) and filtered ( unsure on brand as it was in a tank setup package but adjustable 3 settings - highest setting is 180 l/ h and I have no idea on the lowest but it is made for a betta )10 litre ( 2.5g) each, gravel, silk plant, ornament , floating betta log and betta hammock.
Tanks were given 100% water change once a week and prime added then too each week.

BACKGROUND On my current betta George
George is a crowntail ( I’ve never had CT before) from a pet store , others were smaller than him there so no idea on his age.

OUR SET UP
I purchased same tank , filter ( set on lowest ) heater (25 w set at 27c ) and prime I had last time around
And a ornament I thought felt similar texture to ones I had in the past.

Anyway I noticed day two his fins have holes and the tail is missing the long ends in top half of tail. First reaction is the ornament as he been spending all his time against it
Removed it and replaced with a terracotta pot.
Later in day I thought suddenly maybe it’s the filter - then realised it was on second setting not first ! Quickly changed it and he came out more - then I don’t know which did it...,
Watched him heaps for a hour or so and the filter STILL seemed to bother him , it has a buffer it came with on the intake flow ( one of the changes that weren’t on my last filters) but it’s still bothering him where as my VTs were never so I don’t know if they have made the filter stronger or if CTs are more sensitive? His fins and tail are thinner than my VTS were ?
Then I looked at photo I took of him at pet store ( which is now 3 days ago ) and maybe he already had tail issues - is it Finrot? So I did a 80% water change and added prime and plan to do 50% a day and add prime incase it’s finrot
So confused which of the 3 ( filter , finrot , ornament ) is the culprit

Photo with blue background and brown gravel is at pet shop 3 days ago
Flaring photo is the next day in our home when I noticed fins
Third photo is ornament in question

Filter , finrot or ornament please guys help George !

Also want to add I am going to get him a 5 gallon in a few days and I am contemplating cycling ( would have to be fish in cycle )
Cycling has always seemed so confusing for me so it’s put me off that’s only reason I haven’t

I need to figure out if the filter is the issue first as plan is to use that filter in new 5 gallon tank and I am not even sure there is another option for filter here in NZ for a betta ...

 

HI there!
I think it might be finrot (but quite early) and daily water changes will do lots of good.... ( also try bettafix by API.. many people will say it coats their labyrinth organ in oil, but in my experience my fish are fine)
I wouldn't recommend 100% water changes though... I wiuld go maximum 75%

 

Most people will recommend against bettafix as it is a controversial medicine that contains tree oil that could coat your bettas labyrinth organ many people on here agree that clean warm water is the best medicine. I think it might be the filter what you can do is cut out a small piece of pantyhose and rubberband onto the filter input so it won't suck at his fins it also might be the ornament rub a piece of pantyhose over it and if it catchs that means it can tear betta fins. Check your parameters to see if it's fin rot

 

How do the parameters say if it’s fin rot? Like as in what will read as what?
Sorry I am new to water testing and I haven’t cycled before.


The filter intake has a sponge wrapped around it ( its part of the change they made to the new design ) but this one still seems to not let him rest well

 

How do the parameters say if it’s fin rot? Like as in what will read as what?
Sorry I am new to water testing and I haven’t cycled before.


The filter intake has a sponge wrapped around it ( its part of the change they made to the new design ) but this one still seems to not let him rest well

HI there! I am sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your fish. As Iverg1 said, I would advise against bettafix, and 25-50% water changes daily for 2-3 weeks should do the trick. Also pantyhose around the area where the filter cycled out water will help with the strong output.

Ammonia and nitrites should be at 0 ppm and nitrates really low. If even a bit of ammonia is in your tank, that will hurt your fish. To do a fish-in cycle, condition a bucket of water with a whole capful prime and let it sit for 24 hours. Then remove the fish, get a bottle of Tetra SafeStart and add the whole thing into the tank. After an hour, acclimate your betta and add him to the tank. For 14 days do nothing to your tank. Nada. Feed your fish like normal. When your tank water starts to evaporate, add some water from the conditioned bucket of water. Test the water, and do a water change in two weeks. Your tank should be cycled, but always check.

I hope this helps! If you have any questions feel feee to ask! Good luck

 

Thanks for your replies
I’ll do 50% daily changes and add prime incase it’s finrot - from what I read about in fish cycling it looks like that is done with 50% daily changes too??
I will buy apI master test kit next week and see if I can get my head around it - I am probably just worried it’s hard and it’ll be easy haha!

I went and purchased a 5 gallon now and that gives him a lot more area away from the filter current - I will replace filter when I can hear of one that is better available here but so far all my internet searching has not lead me to one more suited for a betta - I’m not giving up though !
I’ve put him in and his 10liter if water from his last tank and his gravel from that tank and filter- then added new 6litres and prime so it’s like he got a 40% change or there abouts today

Will adding extra aquarium sponge into the over top hanging carbon filter slow it down any?

I have given him his ornament back too since no one seems to think that would be the cause.

 

Thanks for your replies
I’ll do 50% daily changes and add prime incase it’s finrot - from what I read about in fish cycling it looks like that is done with 50% daily changes too??
I will buy apI master test kit next week and see if I can get my head around it - I am probably just worried it’s hard and it’ll be easy haha!

I went and purchased a 5 gallon now and that gives him a lot more area away from the filter current - I will replace filter when I can hear of one that is better available here but so far all my internet searching has not lead me to one more suited for a betta - I’m not giving up though !
I’ve put him in and his 10liter if water from his last tank and his gravel from that tank and filter- then added new 6litres and prime so it’s like he got a 40% change or there abouts today

Will adding extra aquarium sponge into the over top hanging carbon filter slow it down any?

I have given him his ornament back too since no one seems to think that would be the cause.

Tank looks good! He will be so happy in that bigger tank. He would benefit from some live plants if that’s an option your interested in. You can buy duckweed from h2oplants for $4 and duckweed literally needs no care. Easiest, most hardy plant ever. Anubias is really easy too. You just tie it to your decorations til it attaches itself to the decor. You do need lighting though.

I’m not quite sure what you are asking about the filter. Another thing you could do is removing tag from a plastic water bottle and cutting off top and bottom. Then slit it down the middle to fit your filter. This worked a whole lot for my betta in his 10 gallon. I hope this makes sense. I will attach pics.

In my personal experience, when online says 50% daily water changes, this is for if your tank is not cycled. This will cause there to be minimal ammonia but there still is a bit and it is SO much work to do that every day. I would still recommend for you to do this however since you don’t get testing kit til next week.

 

Should I remove carbon in filter?
I’m reading lots about carbon in filters from various forums and threads and lots seem to not use to for two reasons I can find ... 1. “If it’s not replaced monthly it can leak toxins back into the tank” 2. “It’s not really needed” How accurate are these two statements?
I’m also wondering will filling the filter with more sponge slow the output ? Despite sponge around input mine is still a bit annoying to George - although the new 5 gallon gives him a lot more room away from the filter
Pictured below - it’s an aqua one brand but unsure on model

 

Pictures

 

I went shopping yesterday and ended up going for silk plants for now
I also found this awesome rock ( it’s quite heavy and super smooth ) at the pet store