How long can a Betta live in unconditioned water?

[meiperfectneina19]

When I was younger and lived in the tropics I usually used rain water or aged tap water for my water changes. One of my friends once had a fish and didn't know she couldn't use tap water for it... it died in less than 24 hours.

[Lisa1010]

So what is aged tap water? How long does the water need to sit before it is considered aged?

Lisa

[MyRainbowBettaFish]

24-48 hours

[umi]

Originally Posted by jake1515

These are all anecdotal. =(

True, but better than experimenting to get a statistically significant consensus.

And actually, the office fish I referred to is still alive. It's current owner (inherited him from his cubicle) doesn't even know how old he is. He's been here for the full 3 years my coworker has been here. 3+ years and still going. (He's a tough hardy little guy!)

It depends on the fish, water quality, and luck.

[Lisa1010]

So after 24-48 hours of aging well water, does it still need to be conditioned?

Lisa

[laynisample]

Water conditioner mainly removes chlorine. From what I've heard, well water does not /need/ to be conditioned, but I would just to remove the other chemicals. Water conditioner is pretty cheap and you can pick it up at any pet store. (I've even found it at my local grocery store where they sell fish for like $7.00 for a big bottle.) I generally use API water conditioner and if a fish gets sick or starts biting their tail I'll switch to stress coat. It lasts forever and truly is a good investment. General rule is 1/2ml per gallon. :)

[TheCheese909]

I use API Stress Coat+ ... i have never aged my water though i do let the water sit with conditioner for atleast 24 hours in my bigger tanks before adding my fish. I want to make sure it's acclimated before adding one of my guys.

[LebronTheBetta]

Originally Posted by LizzyP

When I was younger, like 10 years old I had a betta fish. This betta was kept in a 1 gallon vase, no heater and certainly no water conditioner. Keep in mind I was 10, and had no idea about bettas. That fish lived for a year or more. How, I don't know. He was a trooper though.

I'm 11 and I use water conditioner... lol. It doesn't hurt to research when you're young.. I know that you're an adult now so no offense. I have no intention to start an argument and that's just what I thought in mind for first.

[Olympia]

I think you guys are missing the point, lol. Bettas can live their lives in unconditioned water. Every city is different, they all add different amounts of chlorine/chloramine to the water, so there is no definite answer to this question.

[laynisample]

I've never aged my water. When I do water changes I have two old (thoroughly washed) milk jugs. To do a 10 gallon, 3 gallon and 2.5 gallon tanks. I cannot carry anything heavier due to a bad back, so water comes out and the gallons get filled up until I have the desired amount and keep dumping them, then I fill them up from the bath tub and run back and fourth until they're full, dump conditioner in and put the hoods back on.

It's simply not possible for me to age the water. What is the purpose of it, just as someone who is curious?