Water Changes?

[Neil D]

Originally Posted by Canuck Fins

The first water change you do in the week you need to remove half the water. Three to four days after that, catch your fish in a cup and change all the water. With a cycle or plants to suck up some of the ammonia, the water will become toxic if you don't do at least one full change in a week.

I think u can cycle a 2.5 gallon. Not sure though...

[bettafish15]

Originally Posted by Neil D

I think u can cycle a 2.5 gallon. Not sure though...

I think maintaining a cycle in a 2.5 is for people who have been in the hobby awhile and know how to keep it going and not let it crash.

[Neil D]

How don't you let it crash? Just gotta keep enough ammonia in there to feed the bacteria right?

[sjones]

Be sure the water temperature is the same as the water the betta is currently in, this is VERY important. Get a cheap thermometer (2$ walmart) to test the water temp when doing water changes. If the water temp is too different you could kill your fish. And be sure to use a water conditioner to take harmful chemicals out of tap water. I don't think a siphon is necessary for such a small tank, just use a cup or pitcher (I use a gallon plastic pitcher), for your partials and dump the entire tank for your 100%, additionally a turkey baster is a cheap and effective way to spot clean poop and uneaten foods :)

[Neil D]

Don't go to Walmart!!!!!!! You'll see the bettas, be disgusted by their living conditions and bring half of them home! If you can avoid this, go ahead

[Blazer23]

Originally Posted by sjones

Be sure the water temperature is the same as the water the betta is currently in, this is VERY important. Get a cheap thermometer (2$ walmart) to test the water temp when doing water changes. If the water temp is too different you could kill your fish. And be sure to use a water conditioner to take harmful chemicals out of tap water. I don't think a siphon is necessary for such a small tank, just use a cup or pitcher (I use a gallon plastic pitcher), for your partials and dump the entire tank for your 100%, additionally a turkey baster is a cheap and effective way to spot clean poop and uneaten foods :)

Partials as in ornaments, gravel, plants?

[Blazer23]

Originally Posted by Neil D

Don't go to Walmart!!!!!!! You'll see the bettas, be disgusted by their living conditions and bring half of them home! If you can avoid this, go ahead

Dont worry I know google "walmart fish abuse" and there are like 60 pages worth of links.

[Blazer23]

You can really avoid killing some fish just not a mountain worth of fish in walmart.