Depressed Betta- journal- tank

Hi. I’m getting a betta fish soon, but I noticed that in the aquarium store he is being kept in a small cup. Hit tail is dark and curling. I know that that is caused by depression and bored-ness. Once my tank is done cycling, I want to try and nurse him back to health to reveal the beautiful betta I know he is. Does anyone know anyway to help ease him into the tank at home?

tank size: 5gal
Substrate: stony river premium aquarium sand
Plants: fake silk plants
Hides: none yet
Lighting: 5watt or 10 watt
Water temperature: unknown
Water parameters: unknown

if anyone knows special water parameters or like certain stuff to put in the tank or special food can you please alert me? Any advice will be Took into consideration.

 

With silk plants you dont need a very bright light. Bettas dont like it anyway.

The temperature should be around 78-79*.

They seem to like the floating logs a bunch.

Make sure to change half of the water every week. Bettas get fin rot really easily.

How are you cycling your tank? For how long?

 

Thank you I am going to send a picture of the fish soon so y’all can see I hope he doesn’t die before I get him

With silk plants you dont need a very bright light. Bettas dont like it anyway.

The temperature should be around 78-79*.

They seem to like the floating logs a bunch.

Make sure to change half of the water every week. Bettas get fin rot really easily.

How are you cycling your tank? For how long?

I haven’t yet actually because I am still cleaning my tank because it was my neighbors, and it had weird stuff growing in it (I have a separate thread about that) so I should soon the filter cartridges are shipping so fingers crossed they come soon! I hope the poor betta pulls through until I can get him.

also idk how I’m gonna cycle my tank, there are a bunch of ways to do it. I’m prob just gonna buy pure ammonia, cuz from what I’ve seen it’s a generally fast(er) method of cycling, and I want the betta to be out of the cup asap

 

Betta's love simulation. Add some leaf hammocks floating logs, space to derp about, caves, hiding spots, etc. Play with him, interact with him, and of course have good filtration. You should have a happy Betta after a bit if you play with him!

 

Hi. I’m getting a betta fish soon, but I noticed that in the aquarium store he is being kept in a small cup. Hit tail is dark and curling. I know that that is caused by depression and bored-ness. Once my tank is done cycling, I want to try and nurse him back to health to reveal the beautiful betta I know he is. Does anyone know anyway to help ease him into the tank at home?

tank size: 5gal
Substrate: stony river premium aquarium sand
Plants: fake silk plants
Hides: none yet
Lighting: 5watt or 10 watt
Water temperature: unknown
Water parameters: unknown

if anyone knows special water parameters or like certain stuff to put in the tank or special food can you please alert me? Any advice will be Took into consideration.

I purchased a betta fish a few years ago. Give lots of dark caves they can choose from. Hammock leaves, silk or live plants he can hide in. Be sure you have a tank heater if you have a large tank and calm water. No air stone if you have a filter. Make sure the lights are turned off at night so it can rest. And a few blood worms. Once he gets into his new home with places to swim and things to explore he will probably perk right up.

 

I purchased a betta fish a few years ago. Give lots of dark caves they can choose from. Hammock leaves, silk or live plants he can hide in. Be sure you have a tank heater if you have a large tank and calm water. No air stone if you have a filter. Make sure the lights are turned off at night so it can rest. And a few blood worms. Once he gets into his new home with places to swim and things to explore he will probably perk right up.

Will bring shrimp work too? Also I got a tank kit, that came with a filter and air stone built-in. Will that cause any problems?

 

Will bring shrimp work too? Also I got a tank kit, that came with a filter and air stone built-in. Will that cause any problems?

Itd probably enjoy brine shrimp. As long as the betta has space to get away from any strong water current it should be ok. Your air stone and filter may be able to be manually operated so that you can set the output of the flow.

 

How are you cycling your tank? For how long?

 

I haven’t yet actually because I am still cleaning my tank because it was my neighbors, and it had weird stuff growing in it (I have a separate thread about that) so I should soon the filter cartridges are shipping so fingers crossed they come soon! I hope the poor betta pulls through until I can get him. The tank is a weird shape, like a sphere and I thinks it’s supposed to imitate the classic bowl that people used to keep fish in anyway I can’t start cycling it until I have a new filter cartridge cuz I need that area closed

 

I haven’t yet actually because I am still cleaning my tank because it was my neighbors, and it had weird stuff growing in it (I have a separate thread about that) so I should soon the filter cartridges are shipping so fingers crossed they come soon! I hope the poor betta pulls through until I can get him. The tank is a weird shape, like a sphere and I thinks it’s supposed to imitate the classic bowl that people used to keep fish in anyway I can’t start cycling it until I have a new filter cartridge cuz I need that area closed

Well it will take over a month to cycle doing a fishless cycle. Otherwise you will be doing a fish in cycle which can harm a sick fish.

 

Well it will take over a month to cycle doing a fishless cycle. Otherwise you will be doing a fish in cycle which can harm a sick fish.

That’s what I’m worried about. The neighbor I got the tank from only has saltwater aquariums now, so I don’t have anywhere to keep the betta aside from hoping he can make it.

 

5 gallon tanks can be hard to cycle to begin with because they are so small. You could ask your neighbor if he knows anyone who has a freshwater tank that could give you some media to put into the filter for your tank so it will be cycled immediately. If you do a 75% water change *every week*, or 40-50% twice a week for your betta I believe it would be fine to get your betta right away. Over time your aquarium will develop some beneficial bacteria but the water changes will keep your ammonia under control until it’s fully cycled. Many betta folks with small tanks consider this a reasonable alternative to doing a fishless cycle because the bio load for one betta is quite low.

 

Thanks for that! Will ask neighbor, and also does anyone have tips on acclimating bettas?

 

Thanks for that! Will ask neighbor, and also does anyone have tips on acclimating bettas?

Float the fish cup or bag in your tank for 15 minutes. If you have prime add a couple drops of prime to the cup. Then add 1-2 tablespoons of tank water every 10 minutes until you double the volume then you can put the betta in the tank, but don’t put the cup water in the tank.

 

Hello everyone! I recently made a post regarding a depressed beta at the pet store. I mentioned a tank, but said that it was not cycling. Well, that has changed! The pet store gave me a bag of filter media For free. I have the filter running in the tank, and the bag of media. I’m a little worried that the water conditioner didn’t work. Was I supposed to shake it ? I am including a photo of my tank!

 

Hello everyone! I recently made a post regarding a depressed beta at the pet store. I mentioned a tank, but said that it was not cycling. Well, that has changed! The pet store gave me a bag of filter media For free. I have the filter running in the tank, and the bag of media. I’m a little worried that the water conditioner didn’t work. Was I supposed to shake it ?

You dont really have to shake the conditioner, it should get to work when you put it in the water.

 

Thanks. I was worried I killed all the bacteria on the media

 

Thanks. I was worried I killed all the bacteria on the media

Conditioner shouldnt do that (Dont quote me on that). Unless you added something bad, the beneficial bacteria should be fine

 

Hey everyone! (I bet no one’s reading…) anyway, I have a bag of established filter media in my tank (it won’t go in my filter cuz the filter I have) and do you think I could get a fish immediately or should I wait? Also I wouldn’t get it now because the water temp is not warm enough and I don’t have a master test kit yet (it’s coming on Friday) anyway, how do I test that the benificial bacteria is there? Is there a special way to tell?

I recently set up the tank and was wondering something. When I went to the pet store for decorations, and they gave me a free bag of established filter media. How long will it take for it to grow onto my decor and filter, and should I add the fish now or wait? Also how do I know when the beneficial bacteria establishes in my tank? Can so

 

I usually give it a month before any borrowed media has established itself in a tank. You could probably add the media + the fish, and it should be fine. Keep an eye on the ammonia.

 

I think that I would wait until you get the test kit and can start using it to test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate before adding fish. It's the only way to be sure of your water parameters, and is the best way to track the bad stuff and the growth of beneficial bacteria. So are you getting the test kit today, or next Friday?

What size is the tank?

 

Today, I think. I also have a few more questions.
so I have this biological booster, and biological booster balls. I also have established tank media. I read that you shouldn’t double up, so which one should I use? Should I even use one? Also, what heater should I get? I have a bowl shaped tank, so I can’t get the kind you stick on. Any suggestions?

 

Today, I think. I also have a few more questions.
so I have this biological booster, and biological booster balls. I also have established tank media. I read that you shouldn’t double up, so which one should I use? Should I even use one? Also, what heater should I get? I have a bowl shaped tank, so I can’t get the kind you stick on. Any suggestions?

This is the heater I bought for my bowl shaped tank. It works great.

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/511pEk-8EpL._AC_SX679_.jpg

I don't know anything about the biological boosters; I cycled my tank the old fashion way (which took many months). Other members may be able to give you much better information on that best of luck.

 

I don't think that I would use the biological booster or the Aqueon booster balls...I think that might interfere with the media that you already have. Those things can give you a certain kind of bacteria, but not necessarily the type of beneficial bacteria that you get with a fully cycled tank. And some of them don't work well at all.

Wait until you get your test kit, and see where you stand...

 

Can you tell us what size your tank is? how much water does it hold? SSo we can help advise you on a heater. etc.

 

I have a 4 gallon tank, but it’s only filled like 3 gallons cuz of substrate and stuff. And I know what ur gonna say: “3 gallons is not enough! Get a bigger tank!” Except I already spent lots of money and I don’t want to spend more for a little bit. I will upscale later.
i got the test kit, and I have 1 ppm of ammonia so I want to wait for a little until it’s converted to nitrate. I also got a thermometer that’s submersible and for aquariums, but the waters too cold. (72 F).

 

You need to be able to heat the tank to 78-82 for a betta. I am not sure that you will be able to accomplish a cycled heated tank in that bowl. You can try, but you might consider looking on craigslist or facebook for a tank for sale in the mean time. 5-10$ for a 5-10 gallon and you can move everything over.

 

Hello everyone! Update on tank:
Tempature— 78
PH—7.6
Ammonia—1ppm
Nitrite—0ppm
Nitrate—0ppm
What else should I add? I’m waiting for the ammonia to go down. Let’s hope it’s converted into nitrate soon and I can add my betta!

 

Hello everyone! I have a theorhetical question. If I had no heater, and the temp dropped say, 4 degrees overnight (F) would the fish be fish, as the temp store changed with the fish, so it slowly acclimated the fiah basically, or will the fish get tempature shock?

 

I think that they only go into shock when the temp falls quickly. A slow decrease might make a betta a little lethargic, but not throw them into a life threatening situation.

Fluctuations can cause stress, which can lead to illnesses over time, but it's ok as long as it is in that betta range (78 to 81ish).

 

Well my tank goes from like 80 to 72 overnight and it’s generally in the middle of the night when this happens.