Betta fish and water quality maintenance

[Himal]

I've been struggling with keeping my tank water stable. My betta seems stressed, and the ammonia levels keep spiking. How often should I be doing water changes in a 5-gallon tank with a sponge filter?

[flamion]

Ammonia spikes are rough. In a 5-gallon, you'll wanna do 20-30% water changes twice a week, especially if you're not heavily planted. Test the water daily until it stabilizes. What's your current feeding routine? Overfeeding can mess with the balance.

[goldfinch]

Yo, same issue here. My dude was acting sketchy until I cut back on food. Now I do tiny pellets once a day, and the water's way better. Also, grab some Seachem Prime, it's a lifesaver for detoxifying ammonia.

[flavorgift]

I just got my first betta, and the water stuff is confusing. How do you know if the ammonia is too high? My tank's got a hang-on-back filter, but I'm not sure if it's enough.

[Himal]

Ammonia spikes are rough. In a 5-gallon, you'll wanna do 20-30% water changes twice a week, especially if you're not heavily planted. Test the water daily until it stabilizes. What's your current feeding routine? Overfeeding can mess with the balance.

Thanks for the advice. I've been feeding twice a day, so maybe that's the issue. I'll try cutting back.

[flamion]

I just got my first betta, and the water stuff is confusing. How do you know if the ammonia is too high? My tank's got a hang-on-back filter, but I'm not sure if it's enough.

You'll need a liquid test kit. Strips aren't accurate enough. Aim for 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and under 20 nitrate. A hang-on-back is fine, but make sure the flow isn't too strong for your betta.

[goldfinch]

For real, test kits are a game-changer. I was winging it at first, and my fish was not happy. Now I check every other day, and it's chill. Also, floating plants help soak up extra nutrients, just sayin'.

[flavorgift]

Got it, gonna order a test kit today. Do you guys use any water conditioners, or is tap water okay if I let it sit?

[flamion]

Always use a conditioner. Letting water sit only removes chlorine, not chloramines or heavy metals. Seachem Prime is my go-to. It's concentrated, so a little goes a long way.

[goldfinch]

Yep, Prime's the best. Also, if your tap water's sketchy, consider RO water with a remineralizer. But that's extra work, so only if you're having major issues.