Help preventing fin rot

[tdedolph]

I have two bettas in a divided ten gallon tank, and they keep getting fin rot. I know that fin rot is caused by bacteria in dirty water, so I always try to keep my tank as clean as possible. I do a 50% water change weekly, vacuum the gravel, rinse the plants, rinse filter media in old tank water, add betta safe and aquarium salt, check the ph and make needed adjustments, make sure the water is the same temperature as before, and add my bettas.

I think the problem is from my gravel not being cleaned thoroughly enough. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can keep a cleaner tank or clean my gravel better?

[kelly528]

OMG! I don't know what to say! Everything looks good, espescially the aquarium salt. Do you think it's possible that the fin rot is growing on wounds occurring from tail-biting, fin-blowing, sharp objects, etc?

[tdedolph]

I do have fake plants in my tank with a few pointed corners, but they don't have any wounds on their bodies from them. They are happy and healthy with the exception of fin rot. I don't know what to do anymore, I feel so bad for them...

[kelly528]

Originally Posted by tdedolph

I do have fake plants in my tank with a few pointed corners, but they don't have any wounds on their bodies from them. They are happy and healthy with the exception of fin rot. I don't know what to do anymore, I feel so bad for them...

Any pictures?

[tdedolph]

They're afraid of the camera, so I only have this phone picture.


Instead of using the gravel vacuum, would there be any problems if I emptied the tank water, rinsed the gravel, and filled the tank with half old and half new water?

[BakaMandy]

If they're plastic plants with sharp pointy edges, they will surely rip your fish's fins. Betta fish have fins that are as fragile as tissue paper, so anything sharp will snag and rip them ): So your betta fish probably just have torn fins. Take the plants out and treat them with some bettafix to help heal their fins quickly. Buy silk plants or real plants if you want to put plants in it.

[tdedolph]

OK, I'll do that. Thanks so much for the help!