[PutYourBestFinForward]

My new fish Frisk lives in a 1 gallon Micro Bow1, with a filter (which we put a suppressor over), a decoration shaped like a vase (smooth edges), and a plant (not sure the name but it goes well with the bowl). My fish's color has been improving immensely since we got him, and since he is a crowntail we keep his fins in the best condition possible with partial water changes every Friday. Anything I should improve?

 

[NickAu]

Anything I should improve?

With a 1 gallon bowl you will need to do more water changes,

Upgrade him to a bigger tank, some people say 2.5 gal minimum, I say 5 gallon.

Do you have a heater?

 

[Olivia27]

Pwc once a week is not enough to keep up with a 1gal bowl. You need a 75-100% every other day. If you don't want to do that, and would rather stick to the weekly schedule, shoot for a 5gal. The bigger, the easier.

 

[NickAu]

100% water changes can stress the fish I would do 50 to 75% every other day and treat the water with 2 drops of Prime.

 

[PutYourBestFinForward]

Ok, I have a half gal cleaned milk jug filled with treated water all the time, so I'll do that along with a quarter gal carton

 

[Detectorist]

50% every other day is fine. The biggest danger is over feeding. Don't over feed and you'll be fine.

 

[RussellTheShihTzu]

Welcome to the Forum! :wave:

Does he have a heater? That's actually more important than the filter. Fluctuating temperatures, even just a few degrees, can compromise a Betta's immune system and lead to stress and illness. Best temperature is 78-80 F.

IMO, if you have a filter and use a turkey baster daily to clean up feces and excess food you only need to do a 50% water change twice per week. Do not remove him from the bowl and do not do 100% water changes; they are, as noted above, entirely too stressful.

You didn't ask, but I would recommend you look into this $14.00 2.5 gallon from PetSmart. It has a glass canopy and your current filter would most likely work. Your Betta will love the extra room and you will find it much easier to maintain.

http://www.petsmart.com/fish/aquari..._id=36-16838&_t=pfm=category&pfmvalue=faceted

This is how to reduce water changes in a 2.5 down to one 25% per week. Not everyone can budget in a full API Master Test Kit; a liquid Ammonia test will work, too. Liquids are cheaper in the long run than strips.

http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=555434

 

[PutYourBestFinForward]

Are you sure 50% every other day? My fish is showing no negative response but that still seems a bit much.

 

[NickAu]

Personally I find the API kit a bit unreliable, Because it cant tell the difference between Ammonia and Ammonium.

I prefer the Seachem ammonia alert tag.

Ammonia is toxic to fish while Ammonium is relativity harmless.

 

[Olivia27]

Are you sure 50% every other day? My fish is showing no negative response but that still seems a bit much.

Yes, I'm sure. If that seems a bit much to you, you need to upgrade.

No reason to ask a question if you're not gonna trust the answers. Think about it, why would any of us steer you wrong?

 

[Detectorist]

Are you sure 50% every other day? My fish is showing no negative response but that still seems a bit much.

If you suction out the gunk every day and don't over feed, 3 times a week is sufficient.

Also, get a hold of some java moss. It really helps keep the ammonia levels down.

 

[PutYourBestFinForward]

Ok, I'll continue doing so, thank yoy