So you’ve made the choice to buy your very own betta fish! You’ll find a lot of websites and books that talk about these stunning fish, but where does one start? Before diving into the world of bettas, it’s necessary to know all about how to make your new fish feel right at home. Build your best betta fish tank. Read on, and it’ll make your process much easier!
Place an Aquarium
Read on and it’ll make your process much easier! Where should I place My Aquarium? You have your aquarium and the other equipment you may need, but where do you place it? The first thing you want to do is find a permanent place for your setup. The tank will be quite heavy, especially once it’s filled with water, so make sure you buy an aquarium stand. Sometimes people assume their homemade stand or furniture is able to hold the tank, but it rarely does. Unless you have a stand specifically created for your fish tank, chances are it won’t withstand the weight of your tank.
Find the Perfect Aquarium Position
Next, find an ideal position for your tank. Keep in mind that your fish tank should be close to an electrical outlet. Yes, you’ll have an extension cord anywhere, but unless you hide them, it would take away from the beauty of your aquarium setup. Also, confirm you have a large enough outlet strip so all of your equipment can be plugged in. The most effective kind of outlet would be one that has a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter). This outlet strip watches the current, and if it ever surges or overheats, it’ll shut it off automatically.
Clean Your Aquarium
There, you have an ideal spot for your fish tank. Next, unwrap this exciting new tank of yours and wash it completely. Never use dish detergent liquid, as it could actually harm the fish. Instead, use a clean sponge; wet it, and wipe down the whole tank. If you notice any residue, clean it with a little bit of vinegar. Rinse out the tank completely with water and place it on your stand.
Give Your Tank Support
On most fish tank bottoms, you may find some irregularities. Because of this, it’s necessary to support your tank. Styrofoam will help balance the tank bottom, so it’s durable and firm. Simply place a small layer of it under the fish tank bottom. Also, try to leave room between the tank and the wall for the filter and equipment.
Cleaning the Gravel
Finally, get all of your substrate (gravel) and wash it before adding it to your fish tank. First, place fish tank gravel in a clean bucket, and rinse water over it while mixing it with a spoon or your hands. Keep checking the water during this method. The gravel will be clean once you see that it is clear. When it comes to tank water, it doesn’t matter how clean it is; it has to be changed daily. Although you have the most effective filtration to keep your water pure, it still won’t remove elements like phosphates that may be stored in the tank. Bringing in freshwater also helps restore the zinc, potassium, iron, and calcium that get depleted over time.
Change your tank water?
The rule of thumb is to change 10–20% of the water in your tank once per week, depending on the size of your tank. The smaller the tank, the more frequently you must change the water. You only need to drain 50% of the water in your fish tank once or twice a year. You don’t need to change all of the water in the tank at once. Siphoning off the debris and checking the PH levels can help create the most effective water conditions for your betta fish. Change 20% of the water if you notice the nitrate levels are higher than recommended. Keep changing the water daily until the proper PH level is reached.
The Process
While you’re changing the water, vacuum the gravel (substrate) to remove all of the leftover food. If the old food remains in the tank, it’ll decay and cause ammonia and phosphates. When vacuuming, remove each rock and decoration so you’ll be able to vacuum efficiently around the entire tank. Be careful not to suck up your betta fish. If you’ve got a filter system under your gravel, vacuum more frequently to avoid nitrates forming. There may be some excessive algae on the glass and different ornaments; scrape all of that off. You can try this by using a special soap-free, non-abrasive sponge or brush that you only use to clean your tank. Depending on the quantity of water you plan on changing, measure the correct quantity of water conditioner, and keep it readily available.
Remember to unplug all connected fish tank heaters, lights, and filters. Anything that’s connected electrically must be unplugged. Next, collect the siphoned water in a container or measuring bucket. Once you siphon the correct quantity of water, replace all the decorations and rocks that were removed for cleaning.
Refilling your Aquarium
About 48 hours before the water change, pre-fill a container so that the chlorine can dissipate. Even though the chemical may evaporate, it’s better to treat the water with commercial element remover to make sure all of it is eliminated. Get the temperature as close to the best temperature as possible. If it’s necessary, place a heater in the water. Next, add the water conditioners and softly pour the water into the fish tank. Record the details of this process for the future.
Water temperature
Keep the water temperature in the fish tank at 76–82 degrees Fahrenheit. Try to avoid any fast or dramatic changes in the water temperature. You never wish it to be too high or too low. Your betta fish can survive lower temperatures, but it’s not the best for him. For best betta care, try to keep within that good 76–82 degree temperature range. Owning a betta fish is an amazing experience. To make sure your finned friend lives happily, set up your tank properly. Going the extra mile in your betta fish care regimen will make a difference.
