How to keep a betta fish tank?

Aquarists love to keep betta fish in their aquariums. They are vibrant, having long flowing fins, which they display while swimming gracefully in an aquarium. But, Like all other fish, they eat and excrete. Regular cleaning of the betta fish tank maintains water quality, controls diseases, and promotes the overall health of fish.

Here are the reasons why Betta fish tank cleaning is essential.

Ammonia buildups in Betta fish tank:

Leftover food, fish feces, and other organic matter break down and release ammonia in the water. Ammonia is a harmful substance, and if its level becomes too high than the required level in a fish tank, it can contribute to fish stress and illness. Cleaning and maintaining a tank allows removing waste produced by fish and decreases ammonia levels in a fish tank.

Poor water quality in Betta fish tank:

Decaying plant matter, fish waste, or uneaten food cause poor water quality in a fish tank. It can damage fish gills, weaken their immune system, and make fish more sensitive to diseases. Tank cleaning with 25% water maintains water quality in a betta fish tank.

How to stop Algae production from the Betta tank?

Uneaten food decomposes and releases nutrients into the tank water that help algae to grow in a tank. Nutrients released from uneaten food, when combined with prolonged exposure to light, can help algae quickly multiply and cover all surfaces in the tank. Cleaning the tank and removing the leftover food helps prevent algae growth.

Betta fish tank Aesthetic view:

A cleaned and well-maintained tank enhances the visual appearance of a fish tank. It also ensures a healthy environment for the fish, helps maintain clean water, and improves the overall health of fish. If you have substrate in your betta fish tank, such as sand or gravel, cleaning allows you to remove the waste that collects over time.

How to keep betta fish tank clean?

If you want to keep your betta fish tank clean, follow these steps:

Water change

Start by removing 20-30% of aquarium water once a week or two.

You can use a siphon or aquarium gravel vacuum to extract debris from the tank bottom. It will also help remove waste and toxins buildup in the tank.

Checking water conditions:

Check the temperature, PH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate of water with an aquarium test kit. Water conditions should be within a suitable range to ensure your pet fish's health. Ammonia and nitrite should be zero, and aim to keep nitrate below 20 and 40 parts per million(ppm).

Cleaning betta fish aquarium walls:

[caption id="attachment_1781" align="alignnone" width="300"] Aquarium Wall Cleaning[/caption]

 

Over time algae grow on surfaces in the tank. You can use an algae scraper to scrape algae from aquarium walls. An Algae scraper has a rubber or plastic blade that supports effectively removing algae from aquarium walls.

Cleaning decoration items of betta aquarium:

[caption id="attachment_1782" align="alignnone" width="300"] Decoration items Cleaning[/caption]

Remove the decorations from your tank and clean them with Luke's warm water. You can use a soft brush to remove loose dirt or debris. Don't use detergent or soap as they are toxic for fish if any soap residue remains on the decorations. Once you have completed scrubbing, thoroughly rinse the decoration item until the water is clear. 

Avoid cleaning all the decorations at once, as they may contain beneficial bacteria that break down harmful substances such as ammonia and nitrite and help to maintain the biological filtration of a fish tank. These bacterial colonies establish themselves on all the surfaces in a fish tank, including decoration items. Cleaning them at once will imbalance the bacterial colonies in the aquarium, resulting in ammonia spikes, and can potentially kill fish.

Filtration system for betta fish:

In nature, betta fish live in gently flowing water, such as shallow, slow-moving waters. They are native to Southeast Asia, where these fish tend to live in swamps and streams. That's why betta fish does not need a high-tech filtration system. Providing them with a filter with a gentle flow without strong currents mimics their natural habitat that suits bettas. You will require cleaning filter media when clogged with fish waste or debris.

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Avoid betta fish tank overcrowding:

[caption id="attachment_1787" align="alignnone" width="300"] Over Crowded Aquarium[/caption]

Generally, aquarists keep betta fish alone because of their aggressive nature and territorial behavior. Bettas love to be alone. They feel stress in the presence of other fish. If the tank is overcrowded, they feel threatened and establish their territory by attacking other fish.

Clearing up uneaten food from the betta tank:

Unconsumed food, if not taken shortly after feeding the fish, decomposes and releases toxins that are harmful to fish. You can give your fish food in smaller portions that they consume in a few minutes. Overfeeding causes health issues and results in poor water quality. So, Remove leftover food promptly(on time) to create a clean environment for your betta fish.

How long does it take to clean a betta fish tank?

The time consumed cleaning the betta fish tank depends on several factors, such as the size of the tank, the number of fish you are keeping, and the specific cleaning tasks. Consider these guidelines

1. Almost 10-15 minutes per week, removing leftover food, debris, and waste.

2. About 10-30 minutes doing partial water change once a week or two.

3. Thorough cleaning monthly involves 20 minutes to an hour cleaning substrate, decorations, and tank walls and refilling the tank with dechlorinated water.