hello, keeping a betta.

[jupiter88]

hello all. i'm new to this website and keeping fish.
right now i have a betta fish named nimbus living in a filtered 5g tank

i thought i would finally say something on this site because i keep getting compeltely contradictory information from pet store employees about how to take care of my fish. he's in the second week of his cycle starting and I'm very worried it's going poorly. He's developed a small hole in one of his fins.

One of the pet store clerks told me doing 30% weekly water changes was "too much", that i should clean his tank once a month. I'm 90% she's compeletly wrong, but I'd love some confirmation.

I put a full cap of Stability in the tank this morning to hopefully get rid of whatevers harming my fish.

Nice to meet you all.

 

[NickAu]

One of the pet store clerks told me doing 30% weekly water changes was "too much", that i should clean his tank once a month.

Please tell the employee that he/she is an idiot who knows nothing. 50% water change a week with a cycled tank.

With your tank I would be aiming at 25% daily till the tank is cycled.

You are doing a fish in cycle? You need to test the water daily for ammonia nitrite and nitrate, and change water as needed.

Use 1 capful (5 mL) for each 40 L (10 US gallons) on the first day with a new aquarium. Then use 1 capful for each 80 L (20 US gallons) daily for 7 days

http://www.seachem.com/stability.php

With a 5 gallon tank a capful is too much.

5 g is about 20 liters, so on the first day you would add 1/2 a capful then 1/4 there after.

I suggest you do a 50% water change now.

 

[jupiter88]

ty so much for ur quick reply. im doing the water change now. unfortunately yes i am doing a fish in cycle, i had no clue how to start a cycle without a fish because I couldnt get my hands on used filter/gravel, and the fish store woman told me it was fine. -___- I think I'm slowly learning my lesson that pet store employees are the devil

it says on the website that " there is no danger of over use" but I'll take that in mind.

 

[NickAu]

Hi again

I have never used that product so have no opinion on it.

The only thing you cant overdose is clean warm de chlorinated water.

I suggest you read the first 4 threads here http://www.fishforums.net/forums/cycle-your-tank.291/

 

[jupiter88]

Hi again

I have never used that product so have no opinion on it.

The only thing you cant overdose is clean warm de chlorinated water.

I suggest you read the first 4 threads here http://www.fishforums.net/forums/cycle-your-tank.291/

thankyou so much!!

 

[NickAu]

Can you post a photo of the fish and your tank please?

 

[GobyMaster11276]

ty so much for ur quick reply. im doing the water change now. unfortunately yes i am doing a fish in cycle, i had no clue how to start a cycle without a fish because I couldnt get my hands on used filter/gravel, and the fish store woman told me it was fine. -___- I think I'm slowly learning my lesson that pet store employees are the devil

it says on the website that " there is no danger of over use" but I'll take that in mind.

If doing a fishless cycle, you could have added ammonia to the tank to get it started. And yes, never listen to the people at the store.

 

[jupiter88]

Can you post a photo of the fish and your tank please?

sure thing

 

[nortonmad213]

a few plants wouldnt go amiss in there,
he looks lovely

 

[NickAu]

Indeed

You need some plants in the tank.

 

[jupiter88]

thankyou! i was saving up for some anubias, i thought that the marimos would be enough but ill get on that.