Betta Tank Kit

How To Prepare Water for Betta Fish by Sam Kinnis

Fish experts always seem to be talking about how the water for a Betta fish has a profound effect on their overall health. Poor water conditions are the most often cited culprit of Betta health problems, and it makes good sense. This is where they live 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Changing the water on a regular basis is of the utmost importance. If you are keeping your Betta fish in a small bowl, the water will have to be changed at least twice a week, or fish waste and uneaten fish food could accumulate and cause health problems. Besides “how often” you change the water, it is just as important to know “how” to clean and change the water.

Always adjust the new water that your Betta will be living in BEFORE you add the fish to the water. Otherwise you will run the risk of harming your pet with the chemicals you will be adding to get the water just right.

This is especially true when you are preparing tap water for your Betta. Since the pH level of tap water is usually higher than 7.0 – 7.5, you will normally add pH Down to the water to get it in that range. By adjusting the pH levels of the water, you will be neutralizing the chlorine in the water. If you do this with the fish in the water, and you add too much pH Down, it could easily kill it (since just one or two drops could be too much).

Changing the water in a Betta fish bowl or aquarium is easy if you get a pH test kit. All you have to do is use regular tap water, then adjust the pH level of the water to get it as close to 7.0 (neutral) as you can. Betta fish can survive in lower pH levels of at least 6.5, but it can burn their skin, so it is better for the pH to be a little higher than 7.0 (up to 7.5 maximum) if you can’t get it perfect. This will take careful monitoring at first, but after a week or two it will be much easier for you to gauge.

Other important additives to add to the water before it is ready for your Betta to live in are Novaqua, Amquel, and aquarium salt. Always ask someone with experience keeping fish how much of each is right for your fish bowl/tank, and never use table salt.

Another important thing to keep in mind is to allow the tap water to warm up to room temperature, or it may cause your Betta to go into shock, and it may not survive.

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To learn all of the little known secrets about how to prepare water for betta fish, be sure to visit http://thebettafishbowl.com/ to keep your Betta healthy and happy.
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