Q: Aquarium salt

Answered by lilychild on 1/3/03, 1:08 pm

Q: Aquarium salt

> WHy are you using a one gallon container? If you're keeping
> a fish in there, then no salt treatment will ever help him.
>
> One gallon containers are inappropriate for fish. I'm
> attaching my basic betta care for you, as it is very common
> for people to keep bettas in such small containers. If this
> is a goldfish, then you need a tank much larger (at LEAST 30
> gallons, more for other types of goldfish).
>
> Regardless of size: 1/5 of a tablespoon per gallon.
>
> From my Fish FAQ:
> The problem: Your bowl is too small for your fish! He's
> basically swimming around in a tiny room temperature soup of
> his own waste. yumm? no way!
>
> Anything under a 3 gallon filtered, heated, cycled tank is
> inappropriate for this fish.
>
> I prefer the 5.5 gallon all-glass aquariums, with a suitable
> power filter and an aquarium heater....but that's just me.
> There are these nifty Eclipse systems I've heard talk of.
> They're quite a charmer...they also come in a 3 gallon size.
>
> A power filter is one of the simplest to maintain for such a
> small tank. Others have recommended undergravel filters in
> addition to the power filter.
> That is what you should get at the pet store. Be sure to
> pick up tap water conditioner if you're using tap water for
> his tank because the chlorine in tapwater will hurt him, and
> a water test kit (for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates...a pH
> test kit would be very useful also...there are ''master test
> kits'' available which you might look into). Tank
> decorations are as you see fit...Keep in mind he might feel
> more safe with a rock, or a plant or two to chill out in. If
> you go for fake plants, stick with silk. Plastic may hurt
> his delicate fins.
>
> Now some other information you should know: any newly set up
> tank is not ''cycled'', meaning the nitrogen cycle has not
> been established in it. (remember 7th grade science class?)
> The nitrogen cycle consists of waste and excess food
> materials being broken down by bacteria to form AMMONIA,
> which are then broken down by more bacteria to form
> NITRITES, and then broken down again into NITRATES (notice
> the difference between NitrItes and nitrAtes). Ammonia and
> nitrites are extremely toxic to fish. Nitrates under 20ppm
> are pretty harmless.
>
> Basically, when your fish is put into an uncycled tank, it
> must cycle with him living there. As his waste is broken
> down, he will go through an Ammonia spike (remember ammonia
> is very harmful for your fish), and a nitrite spike during
> this time. This will be very stressful for him. Be sure to
> make frequent water changes during this time, and test his
> water regularly. He may not even live through this.
>
> If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Anything
> that seems unclear, can be clarified.: )
>
> When you set up his tank, please tell us how he is doing!
>
> Let me say, also, that there are people who believe that a
> 1.5 gallon container is appropriate with daily 50%% or so
> water changes. I think the stress on the fish with these
> cleanings is still too harmful for him. It is possible, but
> it takes work. Most of us may forget a day, which could be
> fatal to him.
>
> Remember when you clean to never throw out all of the water.
> A 5.5 gallon should have weekly 25%% water changes, and
> monthly filter cartridge changes (if it's a power filter).
> When you replace water, make it the same temperature as the
> tank water. Faucets usually have a hot and cold knob: use
> them. For these changes, a gravel Vacuum will slowly turn
> into your best friend : )
>
> I dont keep my bettas in one gallon tanks...i treat my water in one gallon jugs. Each of my 14 bettas are housed in 2 1/2 -5 gallon tanks.