Water changes for sick bettas

[Sandtiger]

My betta got Ammonia poisining and I know that water changes are good for fixing that, but I don't know what the best way to do that would be. Also, my water is really cold at room temp., is there a good tempature for nitrafying bacteria? Thanks.

 

[Chazwick]

With Bettas your water shouldn't be 'really cold', it's a common fact that Bettas love warm water and thrive on it, just like us (unless you like freezing cold air)
A water change should help keep ammonia levels at bay, but they will have to be every day or every other day, to keep it low.

 

[Sandtiger]

My house is like Antarctica, I know the water needs to be warm.
I was aking how I can do a water change without killing her.

 

[Chazwick]

Don't you have a jug - of some sort that you use to take out some water, and replace it with new water?

 

[Sandtiger]

Yeah, I was using that but it seermed to stress her.

 

[Charlius]

How many gallons is this tank that the betta is in?? If it is too small, this prob. won't work too well.

When I had my Lionhead in a 2 gallon (Former inhabitants were picking on him), I knew I HAD to do water changes at least every other day. I couldn't reach in with a cup or anything to get water out cuz the fish would be in the way. So..I just got some air tubing (tubing for the air pump), cut to desired length and siphoned with that into a gallon jug. Depending on on the size of your tank, you can repeat as desired unless you got another/bigger container to collect the water. With the water being syphoned through such tiny air tubing, the water will come out really slow and it should not stress the fish out. You may even wish to use more than one of these tubes at a time to make it a bit faster.

Good luck.

 

[Lotus]

The mid-80s Farenheit are the ideal for nitrifying bacteria.

I often use water from the hot tap (mixed with cold) in the winter for water changes, but you do need to check that the temperature is the same as the tank water.

On the smallest tanks I've had (1g or less), I have used a turkey baster to remove some of the water.

 

[DEADLIFT]

The mid-80s Farenheit are the ideal for nitrifying bacteria.

I often use water from the hot tap (mixed with cold) in the winter for water changes, but you do need to check that the temperature is the same as the tank water.

On the smallest tanks I've had (1g or less), I have used a turkey baster to remove some of the water.

Just be careful with hot water. if you have some fur, limescale or whatever sitting in your boiler it will end up in the tank.

 

[Charlius]

On the smallest tanks I've had (1g or less), I have used a turkey baster to remove some of the water.

Hmmm, a turkey baster. Haven't thought of using that before. I guess, basically, you can use anything that sucks. Hm, so just a Celine Dion CD into the water. Just make sure you got a BIG ENOUGH container for the water volume that'll come out! Haha, I kid, I kid.

 

[pillowchii]

LOL!!! Celine Dion CD.....priceless...heeeeee.

Ya, I use a turkey baster, also. Really good for picking up random detritus from the bottom of the tank in-between water changes, too. <3

 

[sweetvegan74]

water changes

Do a 30% partial water change once a week, what size is your aquarium? if it is at least 5 gal I HIGHLY recommend a heater. If the tank is smaller maybe you can put him in a warm room where the temp is at least 74 degrees. You can get one of those plastic color chart ammonia alerts that stick to the glass, a quick easy way to check the ammonia daily. See about putting Bio-Spira in the tank to help your tank get established and it is very safe for fishies.