A couple questions...

[Loveless]

I have wanted to add some fish to my life for a while but haven’t been able to until recently. I’ve been researching betta for about a week and I think I’m doing okay in the learning department. I just have two questions right now though. 1) How exactly would I go about doing a 100% water change if I need to? 2) How often do I need to replace the substrate, and how would I go about doing that?

I won’t be getting a betta for a couple weeks yet, but I want to make sure I have everything in order before I do get one.

[MMAsac]

for the water change, you will put him into a cup or whatever you wanna use, and then completely take his tank apart and clean it out.

[fishcurl]

Hi and welcome to the forum! :D

1. The answer depends on what size tank you'll be using. Do you know what you'll be getting yet? In general, you scoop them up with a cup and put them in a safe place. Make sure that the water isn't too close to the top - some betta's jump D:

2. Substrate doesn't need to be changed, generally. It may be different if you have a planted tank and are using special substrate for growth. Otherwise, cleaning the gravel with a siphon while in the tank works fine.

[Loveless]

Thank you!

I actually have a 2.5 gallon tank right now. I want bigger, but I'm a bit tight on cash at the moment.

And okay, wasn't sure if it needed to be changed or not since it's cleaned. Thanks for clearing that up.

[MMAsac]

with a 2.5 gallon tank you should have at a minimum 1 50% water change mid week, and then a 100% change at the end of the week, so you will actually need two water changes a week.

[Loveless]

Well okay, thank you!

[Littlebittyfish]

Yep, I agree with everyone else.
2.5 gallon is fine for a single betta as long as it is heated and properly maintained..1 50% and then the 100% water change weekly.
I highly suggest keeping the cup betta comes in. You can use the cup to gentle scoop your betta up in before doing the 100% water change. Put the lid on the cup always.I've had 2 guys jump out.

[Loveless]

I already thought of keeping the cup for that. Also, if i do upgrade to a 5 gallon tank, will the water changes be the same? Would the amount differ?