The Quick Question Thread

[teeneythebetta]

Originally Posted by labloverl

I have another quick question...

I'm waiting on my 5 gallon to cycle... WHen it does, I will need to add one fish at a time. (I want to divide it) What if I get to the store and see 2 fish that I want? I don't have a qt tank set up. What would qualify as one? Does it need a filter, gravel, and other things to make it a "home?" How often and how much would I need to change the water in it? (I wish I could leave him in his cup and do daily water changes until he can be added to the tank, but that doesn't seem fair)

I would float the new fish in containers/cups in the big tank for at least 2 weeks.
If you don't quarantine them, one of them could come down with sickness and you will have to drain your tank, re cycle and deal with sick fish at the same time. It might not seem fair but exposing them to each other can end badly, and ruining a cycle you worked hard to achieve is no fun either.
A QT tank does not need a filter, and shouldt have gravel.
You don't want gravel because a bare bottom tank will make it easier to see if he's pooping regularly and if his poo is a healthy color. Water changes will depend on the size of the container.
Basically the most important thing with QT tanks is to have a way to heat it and doing proper water changes.

[labloverl]

Thanks, teeney!! I am planning on getting a 1 gallon from walmart, but that would only hold one of course. (And this is all hypothetical based on if I find 2 I want at the same time.) If I floated them in their cups, would they just need daily 100% changes?

So say I do find 2 I want... If they're not ready to go into the tank, will I need to keep putting fish food into the tank (fishless cycle with fishfood) even if it has completed the cycle? Would I just leave all the original water in the tank until it's ready for fish, even though it has completed the cycle?

[teeneythebetta]

Originally Posted by labloverl

Thanks, teeney!! I am planning on getting a 1 gallon from walmart, but that would only hold one of course. (And this is all hypothetical based on if I find 2 I want at the same time.) If I floated them in their cups, would they just need daily 100% changes?

So say I do find 2 I want... If they're not ready to go into the tank, will I need to keep putting fish food into the tank (fishless cycle with fishfood) even if it has completed the cycle? Would I just leave all the original water in the tank until it's ready for fish, even though it has completed the cycle?

If you float them in pet store cups- yes, daily changes.
If you have them in 1 gal containers- as long as you're not treating them with anything, 3 weekly changes.

Yes, I would add fish food. Not too much, though. I would leave the water in there until they're a few days from being ready. That way you have free water in the tank and you can make sure the parameters are showing cycledZ

[KcSaf]

question: can you put more than one baby betta in a one gallon until they get bigger?

[Ramla]

What do you guys suggest as a good feeding schedule for a betta?

[Perseusmom]

KcSaf even young Bettas will attack each other so that may not be a good idea, Bettas do have teeth.

Ramia I feed my Betta 2 pellets in the morning and 3 or 4 at night. What type of food are you using ?

[Ramla]

Originally Posted by Perseusmom

Ramia I feed my Betta 2 pellets in the morning and 3 or 4 at night. What type of food are you using ?

I don't have a Betta quite yet..this week I shall be obtaining one since the cycling is done and I shall be getting the heater today.

But I have pellets..I was curious since this will be my first betta and I haven't seen a lot about feeding. I've also seen it mentioned that letting a betta fast for a day is good for their digestion?

[Perseusmom]

Thats great have fun Betta shopping ! Yes a lot of people here do the fasting for 1 day a week saying it really helps with that but I dont really know since I have only done it maybe one or twice and thats only because I stayed over night at my sons house. I just cant bring myself to do it when he looks at me with those little fishy cutie eyes and face...lol I suppose I could do like skip one of his night feedings which I think I really may start doing. Pellets are a great and not messy like the flakes and you con control how much they eat by feeding one a time. If I were you I would start out with 2 pellets in the morning and 3 at night and see how he does with that. Also a lot of Betta will not for a couple of even a few days after you get them so some need time to adjust to their new home.

[finnfinnfriend]

Is it okay to stick your hands in the tank?

[Perseusmom]

Yeah I do but I clean them well and rinse the heck out of them...I think I keep my hands cleaner now then I have my entire life since getting Perseus...lololol I only do it though when I need to fix something in the tank or take something out, I have a kitchen thongs I use too for that also.