Betta in bottom

[Deleted member 149562]

Well you need to go to the store and buy a liquid test kit...especially since you mentioned having more than one aquarium.

That water will not instantly cycle an aquarium. The required good bacteria needed to kill off the ammonia and other impurities is found within the filter media, substrate and decor, that is where it grows and matures during the cycling process. It is not found in sufficient numbers within the water itself nor will it propagate within the water, so that water you have bought is next to useless without having a source and breeding ground for the good bacterial growth...a new aquarium, filter and decor does not come with that, it has to grow and mature, thats why cycling takes weeks and weeks to complete.

Anything sold as instant cycling, is basically a money spinning (for the seller) nonsense.

 

[Lexiih36]

I don't have the numbers. I didn't write them down. Store just said everything was fine.

A cycled tank will show no nitrites and nitrates. But so will an uncycled tank. So yes, according to tests if it's showing no nitrites, nitrates, or ammonia then the test will look fine, but that doesn't mean the water isn't still completely sterile. The way cycling works it for you to first get high readings on all 3 then have them all drop to zero.

If there was never ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate, the tests will still appear to have ok readings.

Did you get the water in the tank tested, or just the water in the bottle?

 

[Essjay]

Always make the tester write down numbers. Many shops will tell you the readings are OK when they are not. Any reading above zero for ammonia and nitrite is not OK.

Whenever ammonia or nitrite read more than zero, it needs a water change to get them down to zero. Ideally with a brand you tank you need to test every day, but this is not easy if you have to go to a store to test it. You really need your own test kit as other members have said - and a liquid reagent kit rather than strips (which don't usually test ammonia)

Floating plants would help a lot. Bettas like plants over their heads and plants also take up ammonia and turn it into protein instead of nitrate. If you could get something like salvinia, red root floater or amazon frogbit you'll be doing the betta a huge favour. Even a bunch of anacharis left to float.

 

[Colin_T]

Remove the gravel and other ornaments in the tank and change the water. See if it helps.

Maybe add some activated carbon to the filter and that might help if there is a chemical in the water affecting him.