Weird Eye on Betta (Don't think pop... better photos and video)

[Rocky998]

A single betta in 5 gallons doesn't need 3 ppm ammonia to grow enough bacteria, a single betta will make a lot less than that. I used 1 ppm to cycle a 25 litre (6.6 gallon) tank for a betta and that was more than enough.

To measure small amounts, look for 1 ml syringes (eBay/Amazon or your local pharmacy). These come graduated in 1/100 ml. If you buy one in person, ask for a babies' medicine dosing syringe - I asked for just a syringe and I got the third degree as to why I wanted it

Yeah that's what I was saying lol.

1ppm should be enough for the tank. I just had to do the math for her and show why it was that amount. I wanted to answer multiple questions at once

 

[metropolis93fan]

Lol ok. Got it! I remembered just now I still have some syringes (with needle) I had left from when I gave myself benadryl shots for migraine. Why I kept them I don't know but glad now I did. Now. I'm going to be gone Tuesday-Sat. Should I wait? I thought it was like weekly changes. Should have known.

 

[Rocky998]

Lol ok. Got it! I remembered just now I still have some syringes (with needle) I had left from when I gave myself benadryl shots for migraine. Why I kept them I don't know but glad now I did. Now. I'm going to be gone Tuesday-Sat. Should I wait? I thought it was like weekly changes. Should have known.

Maybe soak the syringes in a bit of vinegar to clean them... Just to be safe

 

[Rocky998]

Luckily while cycling a tank you don't do a water change until the very end of the cycle. So your cool if you don't do one

 

[metropolis93fan]

Luckily while cycling a tank you don't do a water change until the very end of the cycle. So your cool if you don't do one

Awesome! So glad I don't have to change the water. I DID read the link you sent but it was quick because I had an appointment to get to. I won't be able to check ammonia levels so I won't know if THEY are okay... But at least when I get back there won't be water changes (probably). My mom and I were in a car accident on top of everything and neither of us should be lifting more than we have to.

The syringes are sterile... still in their original packaging. No worries.

I got the Tetra Safe Start this morning. So I'll add that this evening when I get (assuming I can get back this evening. It was supposed to be this afternoon but Mom had food poisoning and was up all night. Doesn't feel safe driving me back. And if Dad's too tired after work... Might be staying overnight. But I will get the ammonia and bacteria added ASAP.

 

[Rocky998]

Awesome! So glad I don't have to change the water. I DID read the link you sent but it was quick because I had an appointment to get to. I won't be able to check ammonia levels so I won't know if THEY are okay... But at least when I get back there won't be water changes (probably). My mom and I were in a car accident on top of everything and neither of us should be lifting more than we have to.

The syringes are sterile... still in their original packaging. No worries.

I got the Tetra Safe Start this morning. So I'll add that this evening when I get (assuming I can get back this evening. It was supposed to be this afternoon but Mom had food poisoning and was up all night. Doesn't feel safe driving me back. And if Dad's too tired after work... Might be staying overnight. But I will get the ammonia and bacteria added ASAP.

That's fine! Take your time! Your health is more important than the tank (especially sense there is no fish in). May I ask how long it's been since your accident? I was in one a few years back.

Add the whole bottle of bacteria. YES, the WHOLE bottle. Now it may look like the tank is cycled in a few days because of all the bacteria added, but it still has to settle down still... I would follow the instructions in the fishless cycling thread closely and exactly (except for the ammonia amount).

This is a thread someone made a while back to shorten up the instructions and make it easier to follow: https://www.fishforums.net/threads/simplified-fishless-cycling-instructions.476263/

I would still read the long version though and familiarize yourself with the science behind cycling a tank (or the Nitrogen Cycle)

 

[Back in the fold]

@Rocky998 I keep my Golden Wonder Killifish in R/O water that reads 4 PPM TDS before it goes in the tank. It reads 29 PPM TDS in the tank. That's low and I've been doing this for two years. The fish are doing fine. That no mineral baloney is a myth. That Betta will appreciate a little softer water. It perks them up.

 

[Rocky998]

@Rocky998 I keep my Golden Wonder Killifish in R/O water that reads 4 PPM TDS before it goes in the tank. It reads 29 PPM TDS in the tank. That's low and I've been doing this for two years. The fish are doing fine. That no mineral baloney is a myth. That Betta will appreciate a little softer water. It perks them up.

No no... You mis understand. If you use 100% R/O or distilled water, it can be bad for the fish. You use water that has an amount of minerals. Using water that has 0GH is bad

 

[Back in the fold]

No no... You mis understand. If you use 100% R/O or distilled water, it can be bad for the fish. You use water that has an amount of minerals. Using water that has 0GH is bad

Nah

 

[Rocky998]

Nah

Yeah...

 

[Back in the fold]

Yeah...

Just jerkin' your chain. You are right. Pure distilled isn't a good idea but many fish come from rain forest areas and the natural water is very low conductivity at certain times of the year.

 

[Rocky998]

Just jerkin' your chain. You are right. Pure distilled isn't a good idea but many fish come from rain forest areas and the natural water is very low conductivity at certain times of the year.

Wheeeew... Ok ... I was like "whaaaat"...

 

[metropolis93fan]

That's fine! Take your time! Your health is more important than the tank (especially sense there is no fish in). May I ask how long it's been since your accident? I was in one a few years back.

Add the whole bottle of bacteria. YES, the WHOLE bottle. Now it may look like the tank is cycled in a few days because of all the bacteria added, but it still has to settle down still... I would follow the instructions in the fishless cycling thread closely and exactly (except for the ammonia amount).

This is a thread someone made a while back to shorten up the instructions and make it easier to follow: https://www.fishforums.net/threads/simplified-fishless-cycling-instructions.476263/

I would still read the long version though and familiarize yourself with the science behind cycling a tank (or the Nitrogen Cycle)

The accident was a few months ago. My main health issues... well I've been on disability since 2013... one issue clears and another takes its place. Maybe this surgery will fix the latest and nothing more takes its place.

I'll carefully read both guides. I did want to ask if I should siphon out the food I put in there or just leave it. You've been a huge help. Thanks. I did get home tonight thankfully! I know I should probably do another water change on the other tank but I'm just hurting too much. Tomorrow I need to clean some algae anyway. Stupidly forgot to turn out his light last week. I've seen it worse but have some clean up to do after breakfast. About to glance at rules again before adding stuff and then after I have go to bed early. Appreciate all the help. It's so weird. I thought I was so knowledgeable. And I so wasn't. Glad there are good places and people to help (especially ones calling you awful for just having 5 gallons. Apartment is too small for 10s or I'd have them.

 

[metropolis93fan]

Its not that it cycles the tank faster, its that its a more controlled and accurate dosing. If you put too little food in, it won't be enough ammonia for the cycle, but if you put too much food in the cycle could stall and then you have to restart. Not fun.
The ammonia is pretty simple. You'll just measure it out. I used 2-1/2--- 3 ML in a 20 gallon to get a result of 3ppm. (The recommended dose) but sense you only will have a betta in a 5 gallon, 1ppm should be enough. 0.75 would equal 3ppm in a 5g. Divide that by 3 and its 0.25. So 0.25 would be your "full dose".

You read up on fish less cycling here: https://www.fishforums.net/threads/cycle-your-tank-a-complete-guide-for-beginners.475055/

It has all the needed info to cycle your tank. Instructions and all. I used it to cycle mine

Ok just read quick version. Confused why you would add more ammonia if both ammonia and nitrite are going way down. I'll read full version in the morning. Maybe it explains. But I'd think adding more ammonia would make it all wonky at that part, especially a full dose.

 

[metropolis93fan]

Ok just read quick version. Confused why you would add more ammonia if both ammonia and nitrite are going way down. I'll read full version in the morning. Maybe it explains. But I'd think adding more ammonia would make it all wonky at that part, especially a full dose.

Also confused. You DO add bacteria same day as ammonia right? Says nothing about that...