wendywc
Rocking a crabshell for a hat.
Sorry you lost him. 
Did you try using spring water? Did it make a difference?
Did you try using spring water? Did it make a difference?Verrryyy Frustrated!
- Thread starter Andreeuh
- Start date
RandomWiktor
Rabid Betta Activist
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss! You musn't blame yourself though - water problems are very common in fishkeeping. This wasn't even a water problem you could have avoided; you did everything right - dechlorination, up to date on cleanings, etc. It was the water itself that was problematic, something you couldn't have known, esp. if your 10g tank was un-affected.
That does make me wonder one thing though: what kind of fish are in the 10g? If you've cleaned it recently and they've had no problems, and they are not air-breathers, we could be looking at an air problem, not a water problem. It is very common for bettas to be negatively affected by things in the air that aren't as toxic to other fish since it may be in a form that does not leech into the water well. Do you use any sprays near the tank? Are there any of those air freshners or scented oils? Incense? Candles?
That does make me wonder one thing though: what kind of fish are in the 10g? If you've cleaned it recently and they've had no problems, and they are not air-breathers, we could be looking at an air problem, not a water problem. It is very common for bettas to be negatively affected by things in the air that aren't as toxic to other fish since it may be in a form that does not leech into the water well. Do you use any sprays near the tank? Are there any of those air freshners or scented oils? Incense? Candles?
Betta_Lovex3
Fish Crazy
Aww don't blame yourself. *HUGS* RIP Lil Guy. 
He was gone before I had a chance to get spring water.
The fish in the 10g are female bettas, so I guess that probably wasn't the problem. I'm gonna check the pH and nitrate levels tonight. I'll let you guys know what they are soon!
The fish in the 10g are female bettas, so I guess that probably wasn't the problem. I'm gonna check the pH and nitrate levels tonight. I'll let you guys know what they are soon!
ILM
Fish Fanatic
I'm not sure the chems being sold to treat tap water is sufficient these days. Back 1-2 years ago, my city water started adding chloramines to the water supply--they were nice enough to send out warnings a few months before doing it warning that it will affect aquatic pets. I started using Amquel+ to all the fish water, letting is sit at least a whole day (sometimes longer if I didn't need all the bottles of water immediately)--even though the stuff made the water stink like sulfur bigtime. However, even with this stuff, everything including plants, snails, shrimp, fish started dying. I switched to using Jungle's Ammonia Chloramine Eliminator (ACE) but the dying continued, tried Prime but the same. Finally, out of desperation, I started buying mass quantities of Crystal Geyser Spring bottle water and everyone has been doing fine (except me, not only is this costly but I have to lug the stuff home). I have sense figured out I can also use Alhambra spring water or Alhambra Crystal (something or other treated water), or Arrowhead spring water. I don't treat any of the bottled spring water with chems since I investigated their water purity stats and it could be used without further treatment by me. I'm afraid more and more USA water is going to become like this, so loaded with purification chemicals it can't be consumed safely by anyone.
When you choose a brand of bottle water, choose one that is probably going to be available to you always and easily since different companies do different things to their water and any change may be bad for your fish. Test out any new water (small container, put in a fish, if it doesn't react badly the water is safe to use) and then continue to use that brand of water. Spring water is better than treated drinking water (which is basically just tap water that has been filtered and/or chemically treated to remove excess products).
EVERYONE, before you buy any more fish, buy yourself test kits. They last a long time and if you are going to keep fish, YOU NEED TEST KITS. I don't use mine often but when the fish start acting odd or if something smells off to me or if I set up a new tank, etc., I run the tests so I can rule out that possibility (or fix whatever might be wrong--the things the test kits test for are all relatively easy to correct). Don't get the test strips since they don't come with expiration dates and you never can tell how long they have been sitting around in storage (old test strips will give you false readings).
When you choose a brand of bottle water, choose one that is probably going to be available to you always and easily since different companies do different things to their water and any change may be bad for your fish. Test out any new water (small container, put in a fish, if it doesn't react badly the water is safe to use) and then continue to use that brand of water. Spring water is better than treated drinking water (which is basically just tap water that has been filtered and/or chemically treated to remove excess products).
EVERYONE, before you buy any more fish, buy yourself test kits. They last a long time and if you are going to keep fish, YOU NEED TEST KITS. I don't use mine often but when the fish start acting odd or if something smells off to me or if I set up a new tank, etc., I run the tests so I can rule out that possibility (or fix whatever might be wrong--the things the test kits test for are all relatively easy to correct). Don't get the test strips since they don't come with expiration dates and you never can tell how long they have been sitting around in storage (old test strips will give you false readings).
The water was never like that before. I recall someone saying the the downtown water had gotten really bad (it tasted like dirt, literally!) maybe they are trying to fix that and added more chemicals. Whatever the case, I'm going to start buying spring water once a week.
I just bought test strips yesterday. I didn't know about the exp. date.. oh well. I still have to get around to testing the water.
I just bought test strips yesterday. I didn't know about the exp. date.. oh well.
I still have to get around to testing the water.JoLtNbolt
Fishaholic
The water here in Washington DC has chloramines, and I've used Stress Coat to treat it with no problems.
I tested the water with test strips so the results aren't so specific. I did this yesterday so I'm goin off memory. Anyway, it said the nitrates were normal, the pH was between 7.2 and 7.8, the alkalinity was low (err.. either 0 or 40), and the water was hard. The thing that got me was that the untreated water and the treated water showed the same results (I did two tests.) Maybe the water conditioner isn't working? Is that possible? Or maybe these test strips just aren't reliable 
I just changed all my bettas water with spring water & aquasafe. So far they are all doing great. They are all active and swimming about, instead of lingering at the top of the water like they usually do after water changes.
I just changed all my bettas water with spring water & aquasafe. So far they are all doing great. They are all active and swimming about, instead of lingering at the top of the water like they usually do after water changes.
sukie
Fish Addict
Well the treatment isn't going to change the levels (am I right ppl?) it's only going to remove the harsh stuff (ain't I technical) out so it's safe.
TammyLiz
Fish Herder
Sukie, you're right. Water treatment chemicals do not change the levels of anything on those strips. It can remove ammonia but it doesn't look like Andrea has an ammonia test kit.
Andrea, I'm sure its working. An ammonia test would be good to see if that is in the tap. If you don't want to buy one you could take a sample of your tap water to your LFS and they will probably test it for you. Usually for free.
Tammy
Andrea, I'm sure its working. An ammonia test would be good to see if that is in the tap. If you don't want to buy one you could take a sample of your tap water to your LFS and they will probably test it for you. Usually for free.
Tammy
sukie
Fish Addict
You know. . . I love it when I'm right!!!
Andreeuh - just keep w/ the treated spring water (that's my suggestion) and I think you'll be okay.
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