Upgraded Betta Tank to a 5.5 gallon

[tatianamansur85]

Okay, so you don't want ammonia or nitrites. You want some nitrates but not crazy numbers. I accept up to 20ppm in my tanks but prefer them around 5 or less. There are people with more than 20 though. In a small tank it can be easiy to control nitrate levels, if they are at 40, a 50% water change will bring them down to 20. Plants can really help to help with water quality, so if you have a light, or can get one, some easy to care for plants like anubias, java fern or java moss could also help to improve water quality.

Right now your betta and his food are producing ammonia, you need to culture a bacteria colony big enough to break all that down to nitrites. Then you need to grow another colony of bacteria to break nitrites down to nitrates. Fish in cycles take longer than fishless cycles as you have to limit the amount of ammonia in there - so less for the bacteria to break down which means they grow slower.

That's the one. Really can help out in situations like this. Its mainly for removing chlorine for water but the ammonia part is really helpful.

I can use it as a water conditioner for every water change?

Can you recommend a low flow filter for my 5.5 gallon tank? I think mine is too strong for him...
The one I bought can be used in tanks up to 10.5 gallons.

 

[Feohw]

I can use it as a water conditioner for every water change?

Yeah. I find it much better than other such products. Its more expensive, but a small amount of it treats such a large amount of water.

For instance 5ml of mine treats 200l (53 gallons). 5ml of my other dechlorinator treats 40l (10 gallons). So it works out much better in the long run.

Can you recommend a low flow filter for my 5.5 gallon tank? I think mine is too strong for him...
The one I bought can be used in tanks up to 10.5 gallons.

Mine is for up to 20 gallons on a 6 gallon tank. Is he getting blown by it? For bettas I've heard that the tetra 20I can be alright. I have the aquaclear 20 and its adequate. Really sponge filters are really good if you don't want too much flow. Just to note, if you get a new filter the bacteria that might have grown will still be in the current filter. So either leave that filter on too for a little while or add the media in this filter into the new filter.

 

[tatianamansur85]

You know... I’m thinking about all we put him through since we not him and it was too much!
At the same time we moved him from a 1/2 gallon tank to a 5.5 one (full of decorations), changed his food type, the location of the tank, started using a filter (noise+water flow), the water temperature was unstable
Omg, poor thing

My filter is a boyu wf2015
Can you see if that black and white sponges inside him is the right ones?

 

[Feohw]

You know... I’m thinking about all we put him through since we not him and it was too much!
At the same time we moved him from a 1/2 gallon tank to a 5.5 one (full of decorations), changed his food type, the location of the tank, started using a filter (noise+water flow), the water temperature was unstable
Omg, poor thing

Things like this happen to bettas literally all the time. They and goldfish are the fish that are most commonly bought by newcomers so they get the full brunt of the damage. I've always taken perfect care of my betta and he's still had problems. In fact all my bettas have. My female got popeye and went blind, my male always has problems with his fins. Not only are they kept poorly, but they seem to get problems often. Really its just good that you are learning now and trying your best. So well done for trying!

My filter is a boyu wf2015
Can you see if that black and white sponges inside him is the right ones?

Sponges are fine in a Hang on back filter. In mine I have sponges as well as ceramic blocks. If there is extra room in your filter you could always add more media for bacteria to colonize. If you get another filter make sure to add those sponges to the new filter at least temporarily. Or keep this filter running for a while longer to keep the bacteria.

The only real problem there is that one pad is for carbon. That is good but the effects of the carbon eventually wears off. Bacteria will still grow on the surface of it though. Just one thing, these products always say to replace the sponge after a few weeks. I don't replace my media until it can no longer be used - in the case of sponges until it is wasting away. If you only have one sponge in there besides the carbon pad I would get another or cermic media. That way if you have to replace the sponge you will still have another sponge or the ceramic media that will keep bacteria on it.

 

[tatianamansur85]

Things like this happen to bettas literally all the time. They and goldfish are the fish that are most commonly bought by newcomers so they get the full brunt of the damage. I've always taken perfect care of my betta and he's still had problems. In fact all my bettas have. My female got popeye and went blind, my male always has problems with his fins. Not only are they kept poorly, but they seem to get problems often. Really its just good that you are learning now and trying your best. So well done for trying!

Sponges are fine in a Hang on back filter. In mine I have sponges as well as ceramic blocks. If there is extra room in your filter you could always add more media for bacteria to colonize. If you get another filter make sure to add those sponges to the new filter at least temporarily. Or keep this filter running for a while longer to keep the bacteria.

The only real problem there is that one pad is for carbon. That is good but the effects of the carbon eventually wears off. Bacteria will still grow on the surface of it though. Just one thing, these products always say to replace the sponge after a few weeks. I don't replace my media until it can no longer be used - in the case of sponges until it is wasting away. If you only have one sponge in there besides the carbon pad I would get another or cermic media. That way if you have to replace the sponge you will still have another sponge or the ceramic media that will keep bacteria on it.[/QUOTE

Things like this happen to bettas literally all the time. They and goldfish are the fish that are most commonly bought by newcomers so they get the full brunt of the damage. I've always taken perfect care of my betta and he's still had problems. In fact all my bettas have. My female got popeye and went blind, my male always has problems with his fins. Not only are they kept poorly, but they seem to get problems often. Really its just good that you are learning now and trying your best. So well done for trying!

Sponges are fine in a Hang on back filter. In mine I have sponges as well as ceramic blocks. If there is extra room in your filter you could always add more media for bacteria to colonize. If you get another filter make sure to add those sponges to the new filter at least temporarily. Or keep this filter running for a while longer to keep the bacteria.

The only real problem there is that one pad is for carbon. That is good but the effects of the carbon eventually wears off. Bacteria will still grow on the surface of it though. Just one thing, these products always say to replace the sponge after a few weeks. I don't replace my media until it can no longer be used - in the case of sponges until it is wasting away. If you only have one sponge in there besides the carbon pad I would get another or cermic media. That way if you have to replace the sponge you will still have another sponge or the ceramic media that will keep bacteria on it.

I’ll buy the ceramic media as well.
Now, I need to share what I just found!
I think I know what’s wrong with him.
I’ll upload the photos so it’s easier for you to understand - my English is not so good

The PraziPro is the medication

 

[Feohw]

You think he has gill flukes? Or tapeworms or flatworms? Is he flashing (rubbing) against the substrate or decor? Breathing hard? Any redness around the gills? Any mucous around the gills?

 

[tatianamansur85]

The description

Is he flashing (rubbing) against the substrate or decor?

yes, mostly on his bridge

Breathing hard?

Yes!! The video I tried to upload yesterday was to show you his breathing

Any mucous around the gills?

That I don’t know, but when he breathes I can see I tiny white spot coming out of his gills

 

[Feohw]

Well it couldn't hurt to try it out. The flashing would make me suspect it could be that, but still keep on top of water quality. I've never dealt with gill flukes personally. If you are entirely sure you can get the meds and start treating. Otherwise I would wait until you can post pics or a video later on when the pics are fixed.

 

[tatianamansur85]

Hey
Unfortunately our little man died...
I’m devastated
The first thing I did every morning was say good morning, change his water and hope he would feel a little better but today was a different story. He was not with us anymore.
It’s been a sad morning for us, specially my daughter. What a hard conversation to have...

We did all we could but I can’t help but feel guilty...

I want to thank you for all the help you gave us.
We won’t forget it!
Here we found a community that really cares and are whiling to help and that’s amazing!
I learned a lot and I hope we meet again, but only to share good stories!!
Thank you!!

 

[wintermute]

Very sorry to hear that

I quite often say hello fishies when I get up in the morning. It's always sad when you lose one. I always think is there something else I could have done, but sometimes there just isn't.

When you decide to have another try you have so much more info under your belt now. Don't feel shy to come back and ask questions before you take the plunge.

Tony.

 

[tatianamansur85]

Very sorry to hear that

I quite often say hello fishies when I get up in the morning. It's always sad when you lose one. I always think is there something else I could have done, but sometimes there just isn't.

When you decide to have another try you have so much more info under your belt now. Don't feel shy to come back and ask questions before you take the plunge.

Tony.

It’s sad isn’t it?
Well... it is what it is
But I’ll definitely come back here before starting again!
Thank you!!

 

[Feohw]

Oh no! I'm really sorry to hear that! Never an easy thing to happy, especially with a kid. Its just good that you tried and learned in order to save him. If you do start back up remember to do the cycle without fish first and keeping them can be so rewarding. Sorry again!

 

[tatianamansur85]

I’ll definitely do it!
I learned a lot and for sure will be avoiding some mistake in the future.
Thank you so much for your help!!

 

[TucanSam]

Sorry to hear that he passed. You tried really hard and I wish things had turned out better for you :/

 

[tatianamansur85]

Sorry to hear that he passed. You tried really hard and I wish things had turned out better for you :/

Hi!

I’ll do better next time!!
Thank you for the help over these days!!