How Often To Change Betta's Water?

Hey everyone,

So I just changed the water in my Betta's 3 gallon tank on Monday, and last night I added in 6 drops (2 drops per gallon) of Seachem prime to detoxify the ammonia present in the tap water I use. Now I'm just wondering how often I should change his water and how much water I should change each time. His tank also has a filter.

I also just tested the water and the ammonia level seems to be down to .50 ppm (yay) I'll test it later tonight after a full 24 hours to see if it has gone down anymore.

 

What's your ammonia out of the tap? How long have you had this tank set up and what are your pH, nitrite and nitrates?

 

My ammonia out of the tap is 1.0 ppm. ph is 7.0, nitrite levels are .50 ppm, and nitrates 0 ppm

 

Can you test your pH and nitrite out of the tap as well?

Since your tank isn't cycled, you'd want to do more frequent water changes. Are you using any kind of bacteria supplement to help you cycle? How long has this tank been set up?

 

Tank has only been set up since Sunday, and I got my Betta Saturday. All I have used in the water is betta safe by tetra and Seachem prime right now.
pH from tap is 7.0-7.2 and nitrite from tap is 0 ppm. How frequent like every 2-3 days or once a week?

 

It's good that you have Prime since it'll detox the ammonia and nitrite up to 1ppm for 24 hours. I'd even double dose it since you have that extra ammonia coming from your tap. I wouldn't bother with the Betta Safe since you have Prime.

I'd do at least every other day 50% water changes to keep the levels low. On the days you don't do a water change, dose Prime right into the tank for the full tank volume. If you can, I'd also pick up Seachem Stability to help you cycle.

 

Okay I'll do a 50 percent water change today. Should I dose Seachem for the entire tank or just the new water?

 

I'd dose for the entire tank.

 

Okay thanks so much for your help!

 

Okay thanks so much for your help!

Any updates? Hopefully your tank is now cycled (and you can provide us pictures of your pretty boy/girl) and your water changes aren't as often (but still as consistent)!

Go betta!