Time For A Major Tank Clean-out?

[aDcOoL]

Hello.

Haven't posted here for a while!

Recently I've noticed Spudnick's tank is getting quite dirty inside, and the fake plants that I have in the tank are starting to turn brown on the edges. I try to do water changes about once a week, but I'm not gonna lie...I sometimes don't do them as often as I should. I'm wondering if it's time to take everything out, buy new stuff, and put it back in, but I read somewhere that it's "beneficial" to keep the same plants and gravel and stuff for the betta, so I'm not sure what to do.

Spuddy hasn't been looking very good lately. Last night he seemed to be breathing pretty heavily, and really doesn't move around much...only for food.

I've also run into problems with the filter. Having the filter on is loud, and annoying (water dropping from the filter into the tank), especially while I'm trying to sleep (the tank is in my room). So, at night, I turn the filter off. What I've noticed is that this causes white stuff to stick to filter, which I don't think is a good thing.

Also, when turning the filter back on every morning, I have to take a cup and scoop out some of the water to pour into the filter or it won't start, which means every day Spuddy's water level gets a little bit lower, and lower...

Anyway, I've posted a video on Youtube...does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks.

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYARifji6lc

 

[l.michelle]

my filter makes noises and dripping and whatnot as well sometimes and yes, it is verrrry annoying to sleep through it, but if you keep the water up to the waterline, it shouldn't make noise, a solution I found though, was if you put a ping pong ball (provided your fish doesn't play with it) right under where the water drips down, then the water will drip onto the ping pong ball which will roll with the drips, i actually found it uot accidentally with my office betta lol he doesn't play with the ball and it keeps my filter quiet.

You could also look into getting a silent tank with filter, they don't cost too much anymore.

I think that every now and then a change of scenery is nice for the fish, so yeah, I would go buy some new plants etc. I think you would want to take some of the media from your filter and put it in the new tank, someone else would be better to explain that lol.

 

[joycould]

If the media in the filter dries out the good bacteria dies and replaced by one that can cause problems. Your tank is the same size as the one I have in my bedroom. I don't have a filter on it and do 50% water changes 2 times a week. Your tank does look nice!!

 

[aDcOoL]

Should I just wash the scenery instead of buying new stuff? Do you think the brown stuff would come off easily?

Thanks.

 

[Lynda B]

You need to be better about taking care of your fish. I think you already know that. Water changes should be a religious thing, not a "when I get to it" thing. Your fish depends on your for its well-being. Please don't disregard the obligation you took on when you got Spudnick (great name).

 

[liz2]

don't beat yourself up about not doing regular water changes. i don't, and my boys are fine. I should take everything out and just clean it, put spud in some of the original tank water. Run everything for a couple of days and make sure you put conditioner in,

 

[l.michelle]

The same with me, Liz, sometimes i get behind on my water changes, don't be hard on yourself for it. Bettas are considered hardy fish that can adapt to changes in water

 

[Lynda B]

Bettas can suffer from ammonia poisoning very quickly.... part of owning bettas is knowing that water changes will be a big part of your life.... yes, beat yourself up over it. Just because your fish are still alive, does not mean they're healthy.

Sorry to sound so harsh, but when you've been involved in animal rescue for as long as I have, you develop an edge and you have no sympathy for people who just don't care or are too lazy to do the right thing.

 

[liz2]

Lynda thats a bit harsh...surely in my opinion the person shows they care by posting on here?

 

[Lynda B]

Hey, I admitted that it sounded harsh.... I deal the truth out in tough love doses. I don't sugar coat things. I'm sure you all have your reasons for scheduling your water changes the way you do. I'm just here for the health and well-being of the fish. People shouldn't brush off the fact that someone's not doing timely water changes by saying that they don't either. Just because more than one person does it, doesn't mean it's any better for the fish.

Again, I apologize for sounding harsh, and I'm not here to hurt anybody's feelings, but I'm not quite sure how else to say all that. Maybe you can help me rephrase it all.

Recently I've noticed Spudnick's tank is getting quite dirty inside, and the fake plants that I have in the tank are starting to turn brown on the edges.

Spuddy hasn't been looking very good lately. Last night he seemed to be breathing pretty heavily, and really doesn't move around much...only for food.

These comments are why I think regular water changes might be necessary.... a dirty tank, and a sick fish.

 

[liz2]

sorry lynda what I wrote don't sound nice either....I am having a bad couple of weeks, lost our young dog 2 weeks ago tomorrow and that is making me very critical of everything

 

[laurasbetta]

The same with me, Liz, sometimes i get behind on my water changes, don't be hard on yourself for it. Bettas are considered hardy fish that can adapt to changes in water

That may be fine as long as the betta is young and healthy, but bettas lose some of their resistance to disease as they age (remember 1 to 1.5 years is "middle aged" for a betta.) Our betta is 2 (approx.) and we've noticed that he is less tolerant to changes and easier to get stressed which turns into tail rot quickly. Prevention is the best for the betta's health.

Cleaning a smaller tank should only take 10-20 minutes once a week (as a minimum) and your betta will appreciate the clean fresh water more than a filter!

 

[Lynda B]

sorry lynda what I wrote don't sound nice either....I am having a bad couple of weeks, lost our young dog 2 weeks ago tomorrow and that is making me very critical of everything

I'm so sorry about your dog.... it's doubly hard when you don't expect it, as with a young animal. Peace.....

 

[branjie]

adcool you can either use a siphon, gravel cleaner, which removes water for water changes, and cleans your gravel at the same time, or take your fish out, and clean the tank, gravel and plants with him out of there. If you use a siphon, you could just rub the plants inside the tank before you do the vacuum. I don't think the muck on the plants would be hard to get off. If you were going to take him out, I would keep half of the tank water, and return that to the tank, and then add the new water treated with water ager. Don't clean the filter and change the water at the same time. Having said all that, I'm pretty new to tropical fish keeping, so keep that in mind when you take my advice .

 

[liz2]

branjie that made me giggle i thought this person sounds very knowledgeable, and then you threw the bit in at the end about taking into account when taking your advice...