Who Gives A Fish Forums

I've had my betta for about a year now, and I'm curious about long-term maintenance tips. What's the best way to keep the tank stable over time? I've got a 5-gallon with a sponge filter, and I do weekly water changes.

Stability is key with bettas. A 5-gallon is a good size, but make sure your sponge filter is cycled properly. Weekly water changes are solid, but test your water params regularly, especially ammonia and nitrite. I'd also recommend a heater if you don't have one, they thrive at 78-80°F.

Yo, gotta agree with emblaze on the heater. My dude was sluggish until I bumped the temp. Also, watch your feeding—overfeeding can mess with water quality real quick. I stick to 3-4 pellets twice a day, and my tank's been chill.

How often do you guys clean the substrate? I've got sand in mine, and I'm not sure if I should vacuum it every water change or just leave it.

floriz wrote: ↑Wed Jul 09, 2025 6:42 am Yo, gotta agree with emblaze on the heater. My dude was sluggish until I bumped the temp. Also, watch your feeding—overfeeding can mess with water quality real quick. I stick to 3-4 pellets twice a day, and my tank's been chill.

Totally feel you on the feeding. I had a similar issue until I cut back. Bloomsy, I vacuum my sand lightly every other water change to avoid disturbing the beneficial bacteria too much.

I've found that adding live plants helps a ton with stability. They absorb nitrates and give the fish something to explore. Java fern and anubias are easy starters if you're new to plants.

What's the best water conditioner for long-term use? I've been using Seachem Prime, but I'm curious if there's something better.

zeno9 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 09, 2025 11:08 am What's the best water conditioner for long-term use? I've been using Seachem Prime, but I'm curious if there's something better.

Prime's solid, no need to switch unless you're having issues. It detoxifies ammonia and nitrites, which is a huge plus for long-term stability.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll definitely look into adding some plants and double-check my heater settings. Appreciate the help!