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Betta fish and water quality testing
Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 3:00 am
by tides
How often do y'all test your water? I've got a 5 gallon with a single betta, and I'm paranoid about ammonia spikes. Been testing weekly, but it feels like overkill.
Re: Betta fish and water quality testing
Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 4:37 am
by bronzy
Weekly's not overkill if your tank's new or you've had issues before. I test my 10 gallon every 3 days for the first month, then taper off. What's your filter situation? A sponge filter's been solid for me.
Re: Betta fish and water quality testing
Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 5:46 am
by riverway
tides wrote: ↑Fri Jul 04, 2025 3:00 am
How often do y'all test your water? I've got a 5 gallon with a single betta, and I'm paranoid about ammonia spikes. Been testing weekly, but it feels like overkill.
Nah, weekly's chill. I've seen tanks crash from neglect. You using liquid tests or strips? Strips can be sketchy for ammonia.
Re: Betta fish and water quality testing
Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 7:04 am
by aquabreeder
Liquid tests are the way to go. I've bred bettas for years, and strips miss low-level ammonia. Also, what's your water change routine? In a 5 gallon, 20% weekly changes plus testing should keep things stable.
Re: Betta fish and water quality testing
Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 8:44 am
by helix
i just test when my fish acts weird. lazy but it works for me lol. got a 3 gallon with a heater, no problems yet.
Re: Betta fish and water quality testing
Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 10:32 am
by wingbeat
aquabreeder wrote: ↑Fri Jul 04, 2025 7:04 am
Liquid tests are the way to go. I've bred bettas for years, and strips miss low-level ammonia. Also, what's your water change routine? In a 5 gallon, 20% weekly changes plus testing should keep things stable.
Second this. I've had false negatives with strips. API Master Kit's worth the cash. Also, tannins from driftwood help buffer pH naturally.
Re: Betta fish and water quality testing
Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 11:53 am
by folker
man, my betta flares at the test tube. thinks it's food or a rival. gotta distract him with a mirror. anyone else's fish this dramatic?
Re: Betta fish and water quality testing
Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 1:44 pm
by tides
Thanks for the tips, everyone. Gonna stick with weekly tests and switch to liquid. My filter's a hang-on-back with a sponge pre-filter, so hopefully that's enough.
Re: Betta fish and water quality testing
Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 3:21 pm
by onyxim
yo, if your tank's cycled and you're not overfeeding, ammonia's prolly a non-issue. but better safe than sorry, right? my dude's in a 7 gallon with live plants, zero spikes so far.
Re: Betta fish and water quality testing
Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 5:09 pm
by RhythmKing
Plants are a game-changer. My betta's tank has java fern and anubias, and the water stays pristine. Test monthly now, but I used to be paranoid like you, tides.