How to do a Water Change on a Betta Fish Tank

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Most popular comments
for How to do a Water Change on a Betta Fish Tank

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Deron Washington - 7 years ago

With a planted tank, how often do you vacuum the sand? I've heard the fish waste is used by the plants for fertilizer. My tank is 20 gallon with Amazon sword and Anubias

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

I vacuum the sand everytime. In a planted tank with gravel or plant substrate you would not need to vacuum but with sand it needs to be disturbed on a regular basis. It is best to feed the plants with root tabs especially in a sand tank.

Zheng Amy - 7 years ago

Is vacuuming a tank essential?

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Yes, especially in a tank with sand.

Jayla White - 7 years ago

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

By vacuuming the sand you will prevent gas pockets.

Mark Cena - 7 years ago

Where do you get your plants? Also, is the 2.5 gal tank the spec lll?

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

The 2.5 gallon is from petsmart and comes just as the basic tank.

Mandar Bhogale - 7 years ago

After how many days you do 50% water changes in aquarium

Antonyms TheTarsier - 7 years ago

I need help
Everytime I do a water change on my 10 gallon tank
It gets dirty after I feed my Goldfish
How do I mantain the clear water??

Antonyms TheTarsier - 7 years ago

Lifewithpets Thanks

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Goldfish produce a lot of waste. A 10 gallon is a little small for a goldfish so it will be difficult to keep the water parameters good. I'd suggest either a bigger tank or 70-80% water changes 2-3 times a week. This should help. Also make sure not to overfed your goldfish.

Leena - 7 years ago

Hi, can I use a Python small for a 5 gallon fluval chi tank? I am in India and unable to get the mini. Thank you.

Christian Villacorta - 7 years ago

Your bettas are so beautiful !!

where's my cat? - 7 years ago

What's a H20 tablet? What's it for

where's my cat? - 7 years ago

Tatum Maré nice, do you need to change it often?

Slime ._. Rhino - 7 years ago

It's to fertilise the plants, it helps to keep them healthy.

where's my cat? - 7 years ago

Lifewithpets thanks :))

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

It's a root tab. It's a fertilizer that feeds the plants.

10. comment for How to do a Water Change on a Betta Fish Tank

coconutbead - 7 years ago

how long should the water conditioner set before being poured into the tank?

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

We do it straight way as we add the conditioner to the tank and then add the water.

Sam Staas - 7 years ago

These videos were very helpful, thank you very much!!

Cait MacIver - 7 years ago

I have 3 Baby Bettas now, should I leave them in when I do a partial water change?

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

I leave all mine in when doing water changes .

Sadie S. - 7 years ago

Can you use a sponge filter for fish other than bettas?

Sadie S. - 7 years ago

Lifewithpets awesome thanks, and thank you for replying!:)

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Yes we use them in other tanks too.

Maple Leaf Stables - 7 years ago

I LOVE your videos! So informative and brilliant videos! :)

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thank you.

Cait MacIver - 7 years ago

Do you condition the water before you put it in? I'm very new at this and just don't know.

Slime ._. Rhino - 7 years ago

Yes, prime is one of the best ones, it takes the chlorine away

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Yes, we use prime water conditioner. The link to it is in the description box of the video.

shauna flores - 7 years ago

I would like to order one of your 10 gallon dividers, which do you like better the one with holes or without?

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

I honestly don't really have a preference. Both work really well. If you have a no holes you will need filtration and heater on both sides. If your bettas are easily stressed out then the no holes would be better because then they can't really see each other.

Brianna Saffie - 7 years ago

I always try to siphon the gravel and clean the tanks, however I really have to rapidly shake the siphon in the tank the whole time for water to travel to the bucket. If I try to siphon the gravel to clean up the dirt, it doesn't take up any water or dirt. Any suggestions?

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thank you!

Brianna Saffie - 7 years ago

Thank you so much! Really appreciate the help, will check it out now. Love all your videos!

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Check out my how to use a siphon video. It's in my 'how to' playlist. Once you get the hang of it it's really easy.

Chris Studios - 7 years ago

what water do you use to put back in the tank?

Lol u Mad bro? - 7 years ago

Lifewithpets when adding water conditioner how much do you put in and do your stir it or just leave it be when added, I’m new as well...love your videos btw great help

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Tap water. We add Prime water conditioner to it first.

Mysmall petshop - 7 years ago

Do you think that python syphon be okay with sand?

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Yes, our substrate is sand too.

20. comment for How to do a Water Change on a Betta Fish Tank

imalyssaj_ - 7 years ago

Great video! Do you ever clean off your decorations? I'm not concerned I'm just asking.

Barbara de Jong - 7 years ago

What snails do you keep?

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Not really they never seem to need it. The snail keeps them clean.

Sofie Anker - 7 years ago

Where can i get this tank?? Looks beautiful!

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Which tank? The smaller one is a 2.5 gallons from Petsmart and the divided tank is a 10 gallon from Petco.

Bob J-M Gervais - 7 years ago

im lost. for a certain time now, I am talling people to get like 5 or 6 gallon for a betta, but what is the actual size they need? I go by the rule that bigger mean better, but your fish seem's super happy in this little 2,5 and he seems to have lot's of things to do to be honnest... so I will say this : as a personnal opinion, if you have the space and money, bigger tank is better, specially if you are a begginer, but I never kept bettas except one with goldfish (I know, bad idea, I was young and stupid), but you seem to know what you are doing, so 2.5 is okay?

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

2.5 gallons is the minimum. Our Betta tanks range from 2.5 gallons to 75 gallons. I personally think 2.5 gallons is fine as long as the tank is planted and decorated to suit the bettas needs.

Mohammed Odeh - 7 years ago

Beautiful beta! Female?

Theboredguy97 - 7 years ago

Your tanks look awesome.

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thank you!

Sportsguys - 7 years ago

how often do you have to change the water

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Once a week.

Dolphincutie World - 7 years ago

Great video! I always learn from your videos. Your bettas are looking very cute!

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thank you.

Chris C - 7 years ago

what's your method for making sure the temperature of the new water is the same as in the tank?

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

On the smaller tanks I leave the water sitting in a jug for 24 hours.

MasterAquatics - 7 years ago

heyyy! great video! love your accent!

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thank you!

PsychedelicBabe - 7 years ago

Very informative indeed Sheila nice one

30. comment for How to do a Water Change on a Betta Fish Tank

Angelica Holmes - 7 years ago

Thanks for the video it answered a lot of questions I had about water changes. Sorta unrelated how do you trim your anacharis for water changes? Mine grows very quick. I have been breaking them in half when they are about 8" long and sticking the other piece in the gravel.

thibookie - 7 years ago

unrelated to the video but do you have any recommendations for fish that can live with a betta in a ten gallon?

Lifewithmypets 2017 - 7 years ago

thibookie neon tetras are great too! They also need to be in grps of 5 or more.

thibookie - 7 years ago

Lifewithpets thanks

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Harlequin rasboras are peaceful and need to be in groups of 5 or more.

Matthew Santos - 7 years ago

You should do "how to do a water change on a Betta sorority"

dbachelor's Planted Aquarium - 7 years ago

:) great video again

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thank you!

wickedman22 Betta's - 7 years ago

what syphon do u use how much do u recommend water do I take out of a 26 gallon bow tank I have betta fry and wanted to keep about 8 females

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

We use the Python siphon. How much water you remove depends on your tank set up but typically 25-30% is enough in most set ups.

Betta Josh - 7 years ago

Very good video Sheila! I use the Aqua One Water Changer syphon, the flow rate is VERY fast. It's only small like yours but has a very fast current. Sometimes it's hard to clean all the gravel in time before I've taken too much water out!!

Dylan _17144 - 7 years ago

I thought Murphy was in a community tank....

Betta Josh - 7 years ago

Rocky Watches YT from what I recall I believe he was moved from that tank into the divided tank because he wasn't going so well? Might be best to wait for Sheila though

Water Dragon - 7 years ago

I can't get over how buitiful that betta is!

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thank you!

Drea Aguilar - 7 years ago

Love your helpful beta fish videos! When you add the water back to the tank after syphoning it out 20-30% or 50% of the water, how much conditioner should be added back in? Lovely aquariums ❤️!

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thank you. You need to follow the directions on the bottle of the conditioner you're using. It's different for each brand.

ShyerLady - 7 years ago

How do you cycle your 2.5? I heard a tank that small is hard to mantain a healthy cycle.

ShyerLady - 7 years ago

No filter:/ But she has her heater. I can get a filter and certainly do that. Thnx!

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Does the tank have a filter, if so I'd recommend only doing 50% 3 times a week for 3-4 weeks. After that you should be cycled. You can also add tetra safe start that would help the process along too.

ShyerLady - 7 years ago

Lifewithpets Neat! Thanks alot. Cant wait for more vids.
My girl ended up on a 2.5g. (Long story) I didnt know how to go bout the cycling process so I just been doing full water changes every week.

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

I've heard that a lot too but have never had any issues in any of our smaller tanks. We cycle the tanks using media from our other tanks however I'm planning on doing so a series showing the process from start to finish.

DebTim A CANADIAN Girl - 7 years ago

Hi Sheila It's great to see how other people do their maintenance.. well done. =D

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thanks Deb!

Hammy Hearts - 7 years ago

What betta food do you recommend

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Check out our recent feeding bettas video that will tell you all the foods we feed our bettas.

Hammy Hearts - 7 years ago

Is the syphon you have take a lot of the water?because I have a 3 gallon and some take too much water?

HorseLove152 - 7 years ago

Shan Bland Hi this helped me so much lol I have had problems with my syphon sucking to much water out and this helped me out

Shan Bland - 7 years ago

what i do is kink the hose with my left hand. i sort of bend it over to slow the flow. even kinked it still sucks up yucky stuff, it just does it slower. you'll want to bend the hose on the "output" side, not the intake side.

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

No, it doesn't have a fast flow rate.

Joy Barton - 7 years ago

great video and pretty betta! love the aquascaping on your tanks I need to try live plants.

Joy Barton - 7 years ago

Lifewithpets thank you so much. unfortunately I am in Canada but your videos have inspired me to try live plants in my tanks.

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thanks. Live plants have taken over all our tanks! We love them and they're a lot easier than I thought they'd be. If you're in the USA we have a coupon code for H2oplants if you want to try them it's lwp15.

Jamune - 7 years ago

only 2.5 gallons? looks bigger tbh.

Joption - 7 years ago

ikr

Livin' Life in the TTC - 7 years ago

This was really cool!!! Love that tank!

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thank you.

Javier Frausto - 7 years ago

I've been waiting for this video since the last year! So cool, Where do you get a new sponge for the filter?

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thanks! We get them from Amazon.

Because I can - 7 years ago

Do you need a light for water lettuce and a moss ball?

Jamune - 7 years ago

You need a light for every aquarium plant.

The Aquarium Show - 7 years ago

love your videos soooo much :)

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thank you!

Sam Roger - 7 years ago

LOVE YOUR BETTA!

50. comment for How to do a Water Change on a Betta Fish Tank

Tha'nera Telesia - 7 years ago

I just bought some water lettuce yesterday and it's floating nicely on the top of my tank but there is hundreds of tiny pearled up water droplets on the leaves, Is this normal?

Tha'nera Telesia - 7 years ago

Thank you!

Gold Plated - 7 years ago

Tha'nera Telesia yes that normal. the top of the leaf as tiny hairs the hold droplets.

Tha'nera Telesia - 7 years ago

Here's a quick picture I took of the water on the leaves http://imgur.com/OYrudsK

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

I'm not sure what you mean?

Kiya - 7 years ago

What light do you use for the 2.5 gallon aquarium,? your plants look wonderful!

Kiya - 7 years ago

oh ok thank you!

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

It's a current usa light. It runs across my two 2.5 gallon tanks.

LUVJessiLUV - 7 years ago

You may have answered this in the past, but why isn't that female in your sorority tank?

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

I may breed her in the future.

S.I. Jaasim - 7 years ago

how often do you change the water in a month..?

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Once a week.

Madison Erickson - 7 years ago

S.I. Jaasim once a week+

Vaibhav Patel - 7 years ago

hairgrass and dwarf hairgrass which one is low tech ?

Neon Tetra Aquarist - 7 years ago

Vaibhav Patel Giant hairgrass is able to with stand lower tech much better!

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

I don't think either are.

James Victor - 7 years ago

Your betta tank is beautiful . Dont you need to acclimate your betta fish everytime you add water. I just do it to be safe.

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thank you.

It's A&A - 7 years ago

We are going to be getting a new Betta today, as our rescue recently passed :( He/she will be in a ten gallon with a few other community fish :) I'm very excited to have a Betta again!!!

It's A&A - 7 years ago

Lifewithpets Thank you!! We ended up picking up a baby boy Betta from petco. We named him Caspian!!! Any tips for baby Bettas, I know you have your goldfish fry but if you have any tips in general that would be awesome!!

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

I'm sorry for your loss. Congratulations on your new Betta.

Harold Santos - 7 years ago

is it necessary to put heater if usually the the temperature of the water is not changing? BTW nice videos!

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Bettas need a heater they are tropical fish and need temperatures of 78-80f.

Connor Winfield Aquatics - 7 years ago

Great video,I love the betta! I have a siphon that's a pain cause it sucks up my sand too,maybe I'll look for one like yours

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thanks!

KC Tabale - 7 years ago

Do you clean the sponge filter as well? If so how often and how do you clean it?

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

We only clean them once a month. I rinse them out in aquarium water.

River Song - 7 years ago

why do you happen to have only two plants in your betta tank althought they love tanks quite full of plants though?

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Jungle grows on a runner system so it sprouts up new plants all over the tank.

River Song - 7 years ago

Lifewithpets Ah, okay. I thought
they'd just grow in height, not as much in width as well.

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Are you talking about the 2.5 gallon? If so jungle Val spreads like crazy. When planting a tank you have to allow the room for the plant to grow.

River Song - 7 years ago

Lifewithpets Well, 2 rather lonely "spots with plants" then.

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

2 plants?

MissHarleyQuinn - 7 years ago

what colour is that betta called! stunning!

Slime ._. Rhino - 7 years ago

It's a koi plakat ☺️

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thank you! She's a koi plakat.

Super Water Aquatics - 7 years ago

I really like your betta tanks! Thanks for sharing this.

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thanks!

Amelia's Menagerie - 7 years ago

Awesome, thanks so much! Been wondering how to clean my sand for a while now, so this helped a lot :D

Amelia's Menagerie - 7 years ago

Just got a $10 gift card for amazon, so the siphon and some more sponge filters will be here at some point!

Amelia's Menagerie - 7 years ago

I just got a ten dollar amazon gift card, so that siphon and some some more sponge filters will be here at some point!

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thanks!

Laura - 7 years ago

omg i am soooooearly

Jamie Wang - 7 years ago

Very helpful, as usual!

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thank you!

Fluffy an Trapinch - 7 years ago

bright an early yay

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Yay!

Azriel Crame - 7 years ago

I like how to sand does not get siphoned when you vacuum. Mine gets sucked out whenever I vacuum. Nice vid as always!

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thanks! Yes, the mini python siphon is great for the task. I find if I use a bigger one it will suck the sand up.

Sidaarth Ramabhotla - 7 years ago

Why does Murphy's side of the tank have no water lettuce

Patience Upshaw - 7 years ago

Really love this tank

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thank you!

Sidaarth Ramabhotla - 7 years ago

Thank you it was very helpful

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Yes, always put in what you're planning on having in the tank.

BnarC COL - 7 years ago

Captain Facepalm put it in or not during cycling, it wont do anything except make ur tank look better. It might house some beneficial bacteria, but not enough to drastically help with cycling.

løl løl - 7 years ago

Lifewithpets Hi Sheila! When Im cycling the tank, decoration must also stay in the tank?

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thank you!

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

All tank details are in the description box. Thanks for watching! you can also visit our website www.lifewithpetsgci.com

Sidaarth Ramabhotla - 7 years ago

Yay I'm early 7th

Mailo the BSH kitten - 7 years ago

thanks very helpful

Mailo the BSH kitten - 7 years ago

thanks

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

I add the water conditioner to the tank so its only a few minutes and then I add the water.

Mailo the BSH kitten - 7 years ago

and I have one question after adding the water conditioner to the water how much time should I wait for the water to dechlorinate so I can poor it back to my betta fish tank

Lifewithpets - 7 years ago

Thank you!