Water care for Betta

[OkieBoyBlue]

I am relatively new to Betta care. My BoyBlue lives in a tall cylinder about 18 high and 4 inches in diameter with a live plant near the top. His condo is located in the kitchen in a corner with only indirect sunlight.

I've had BoyBlue about three weeks. There is a small cluster of tiny bubbles appearing on the surface of the water, which is distilled water. Are these bubbles a sign that the water is contaminated or needs to be changed? I feed him 3 pellets of food twice a day. Am I feeding him to much?

Any information would be helpful and appreciated.

BoyBlue's Landlady

[dramaqueen]

Hello and welcome to FishForum. The bubbles you see are normal. It sounds like BoyBlue is building a bubblenest. Male bettas blow bubblenests and it means they are healthy and happy.By the way, my first betta was named Boy Blue.

[OkieBoyBlue]

Thanks.
Is there any reason why I should change the water?

[dramaqueen]

I don't know how much your container holds but if its a gallon to 2 gallons, it should be changed at least once a week. The bubbles don't affect the water quality.

[babs711]

I thought one shouldn't use distilled water for a betta.

[dramaqueen]

Distilled water isn't good for bettas because it lacks the trace elements tat fish need.

[dr2b]

Thats what I thought. Because I was going to use distilled water until I realized that.

[dramaqueen]

Just regular old tapwater with conditioner is fine.

[OkieBoyBlue]

Conditioner I will purchase when next I go to the City... our local water supply is barely safe for humans so conditioner I know will be needed. I hate to think of what the water is doing to us two legged creatures...

Thanks again!

[Angelmonster]

How big is the tank? Sounds like it could be about 5 gallons.

If it is below 5 gallons do a complete water change weekly. Simply use tap water and the correct amount of conditioner for it. If it is about 5 gallons then you only need to do 50% changes every week Just use the right amount of conditioner to get the nasty chlorine out of the water. You can purchase conditioner specifically made for Bettas too