Water changes: 2 x 1 gallon tanks

[ral]

I have two (actually four) identical empty 1 gallon tanks. I was thinking, what if I move one of my betta's from one tank to ther other every day so I can change. That way he gets new water ever day. The tanks will have water treated the same way, kept side by side, and he will be transported to one tank from another in a 4x4x4 in plastic box.

What do you think?

 

[SPLiSH]

You could even go further and give each tank a different decorating theme. Then he would be more interested in his environment .

Sounds like an interesting idea, keep us updated.

 

[ral]

Well I transported him to his new tank and fed him afterwards. I waited for him to volutarily go into the small box. Maybe he might start to associate transport with food (and I am thinking about using all four tanks).

Main reason for this is so I can prepare the tanks when I have the time rather than have to clean a tank daily. If I use four tanks, am pretty sure I will have the time prep the other tanks on one of the 3-4 days.

 

[ral]

Apparently this is nothing new. Found this:

There are several ways of doing water changes:

1.) Two containers for the betta are kept next to each other, and the betta lives in one of them. When it is time for a water change, he is netted and placed into the other container, and the first one is then dumped, rinsed, and refilled. The process is repeated for the next water change.

2.) The owner puts the betta in a cup along with some of his old bowl water (bonus if you can suck the betta into the cup as you dip for water - no netting!) while the water in the bowl is dumped, rinsed, and refilled. If treated, the betta can be put back into his clean home as soon as the water reaches room temperature; if not, he can be put back in 24 hours, once the water has 'aged'.

3.) Most of the water from the bowl is carefully poured or siphoned out until the bowl is halfway full, and then clean, aged water is added. This is called a 'partial water change', and can be very effective; however it needs to be done more often than a full water change. I recommend the siphoning method, as pouring usually doesn't get the accumulated gunk on the bottom.

http/www.bettysplendens.com/articles/page.asp?articleid=41

 

[cutechic]

The betta may get stressed at being moved around so much. I would move him every 3 days.

 

[ral]

Yeah, from the same page I read:

Make sure your betta is kept clean. A betta stirring up his own feces as he swims is just disgusting. Half-gallon containers will have to be changed twice a week. Gallon containers can go as far as once a week, and the larger the container, the longer the interval between changings. If the betta is kept in a 5+ gallon container with adequate filtration, normal tank maintenance of once a month or so is fine. Of course, if you see an accumulation of uneaten food, you should change his water sooner.

Be warned, there can be too much of a good thing, and changing the water too much can weaken your fish, forcing him to have to adapt and re-adapt to his conditions.

Moving him evey 3 days sound like a good idea.

 

[SRC]

I have mine in almost 1/2 gallon (beanie boxes) containers. They get their water changed at least every 2 days, if not everyday. If I go longer then that..omg the water get's so nasty (poop is just sitting on the bottom..and when they go down there and swim around it stirs it up ).

So if I can go 2 days with almost 1/2 gallon..you should be good with 3-4 days at a time. If you test for amonia and nitrites after 3 days..you could see how the levels are...that should help you determine when to change water better .


I have different backgrounds for each of my tanks..they love it when they get a new one..they explore every inch of the new one after they get put in a new tank.

 

[ral]

I think siphoning off the dirt from the bottom on a daily basis is what will allow you to extend your water changes. From the article I read at Bettysplendens, they mentioned that they siphon of dirt and poop using a Turkey Baster. I think there water change advice assumes you will be doing this.

Mostly, likely I will try a full change every 3 days, plus vacumming of the stuff at the bottom daily and replacing water only as needed.