Questions from a Newbie

[DTailskatr]

Some times I wonder how I live in it too... lol but the bird, husband and now fish love it so I silk deal :P I will keep the heater but not put it in.
I finally got Prime and have been doing 50% water changes everyday and the ammonia levels are finally low and stable :)

Also, this isn't a very important question but every time I walk to his tank he starts wiggling his body. I never seen any of my other bettas to this and just wondering what it could be. I'm sure its harmless and so cute! :D
Thanks for everyone's help! :)

[Olympia]

That just means he's happy to see you!
And wants food.

[aokashi]

Hahaha more like, he is happy to see the source of his food :D

[Pogthefish]

Originally Posted by MrVampire181

One thing I've learned in this hobby is the more you worry, the more something may become a bigger deal than it is. The best way to avoid worrying is to do water changes. In small tanks, a 50% every few days is great! In large tanks I clean about 75% every few days. I don't use filters and I have a python siphon so it's easier for me. Just make sure you're doing water changes at least once a week in smaller tanks. The more, the better!

you should really do only 30% weekly to conserve the nitrogen cycle, the only time you should do more i a betta in a less than 3 gallon tank.

Aquarium Pharmeseuticals (API) makes something called quick start that you can use when doing larger changes, it contains nitrifying bacteria.

[MadameDesu]

Originally Posted by Pogthefish

you should really do only 30% weekly to conserve the nitrogen cycle, the only time you should do more i a betta in a less than 3 gallon tank.

Aquarium Pharmeseuticals (API) makes something called quick start that you can use when doing larger changes, it contains nitrifying bacteria.

Does that actually work? I've heard differing opinions on that.

The only thing I'd add for OP's consideration is that 78 is a perfect temperature. Some like it warmer. I set mine to 82 after noticing that my betta spent a lot of time around her heater.

[Bombalurina]

I don't think that those bacteria in a bottle things really work - how the heck do the bacteria stay alive in a bottle with nothing to feed on? If I was going to trust one, it would be Stability, by Seachem, but I'm dubious about even that.
You certainly don't need to add it: in under a 5 gallon, you don't really have a cycle anyway. In over a 5 gallon, you should have a stable enough cycle to live through something like a water change.

[Olympia]

I think the varying success with bacteria in a bottle depends on how long it's been on the shelf.. if it was packaged not too long ago there'd still be some alive when you got it. Probably the only reason it works sometimes.

[Pogthefish]

hmmm :/ any other ways to conserve bacteria during a large water change? I just like to feel peace of mind that I haven't dusrupted the cycle. A sponge? lol getting one algae anyway.

[MadameDesu]

Well, it depends on the size of your tank. Anything under 5 gallons won't hold a cycle anyways, so big water changes won't really matter.

[Bombalurina]

Since I read in your thread, Pog, that you frequently change your filter media, that is destroying your cycle every time far more efficiently than a large water change. As long as you keep your filter media in some nice dirty water, a 100% change won't disrupt your cycle. Changing the filter media = instant cycle murder.