Tank size & water change

[Min]

I have my bettas in their own 3 gallon eclipse & 1 6 gallon eclipse. My question is...... If the water if being filtered do I need to still do 100% water changes? How often for a 3 & 6 gallon? I should know this from the time ive been on here but I am still fairly new to bettas & smaller tanks so im just not sure. Thanks in advance

[doggyhog]

I wouldn't do 100% changes, because then the whole filtration system would be wasted. Considering your tanks are cycled, you'd only have to do 25% changes a week on both. Make sure you syphon the gravel.

[1fish2fish]

Are your tanks actually cycled? or did you just put the fish in there, turn on the filtration, and let it go. Unless your tank is cycled you need to do full water changes or at least 80-90% water changes to fully remove the ammonia from the tank.

Except to aerate the water a filter is basically a waste of $$ if you don't cycle.

[Min]

No I did not Cycle prior . As a matter of fact I didnt even know what that was until I signed up on this forum.

[1fish2fish]

I would look into doing a fish in cycle... either that or you'll have to do full water changes every week.

Here's a thread I wrote explaining it..http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=34505

[Min]

Originally Posted by 1fish2fish

I would look into doing a fish in cycle... either that or you'll have to do full water changes every week.

Here's a thread I wrote explaining it..http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=34505

Perfect! Doesnt seem as difficult as I thought.

[1fish2fish]

Its not but you have to make sure your dedicated enough to do the daily pwc's that are required to keep the ammonia low enough to not poison your fish. And a liquid test kit is a must.

[Min]

Originally Posted by 1fish2fish

Its not but you have to make sure your dedicated enough to do the daily pwc's that are required to keep the ammonia low enough to not poison your fish. And a liquid test kit is a must.

Should I do the initial test before I do the partial change tonight or after? Does it matter?

[1fish2fish]

I always test before doing the water change. Water changes can skew your results right after you do them until everything settles back down.

[Min]

Originally Posted by 1fish2fish

I always test before doing the water change. Water changes can skew your results right after you do them until everything settles back down.

I want to thank you for the link on cycling a tank. If you never posted it in my thread I wouldnt have went out & got the kit only to find out my guys r lucky to be alive. I tested all my tanks & the 2 3 gallon tanks r high in ammonia (which is where my tail biter is) & my six gl is already in the cycling process. Im wondering if this is what my tail biter has been trying to tell me.

Thanks again for the info
Malinda