how to maintain a Betta tank with minimal effort

[frizbit]

I've been keeping my betta in a 5-gallon tank with a sponge filter and live plants. I do weekly water changes but wanna cut down on maintenance. Any tips to keep the tank stable with less work?

[dandyfish]

Live plants are a great start. I'd add some floating plants like frogbit or salvinia to help with nitrates. They also shade the tank, which cuts down on algae. A timer for your light helps too, 6-8 hours max.

[daxilix]

yo, skip the water changes, just top it off. my fish been chillin like that for months, no probs.

[Himal]

yo, skip the water changes, just top it off. my fish been chillin like that for months, no probs.

That's not advisable. Even with plants, waste builds up. At least do a 25% change every two weeks to keep params stable.

[tanganicafan]

I've had luck with a dirted tank capped with sand. The plants grow like crazy and the tank stays balanced. I only do water changes every 3 weeks, and my betta's colors are vibrant.

[Ryegrain]

Get a snail or two. They're like little cleanup crews, gonna save you from scrubbing algae. Just don't overfeed or they'll take over.

[Falkeon]

nah, snails are sketchy. they poop too much, mess with the balance. just stick to plants and a good filter.

[knighto4]

What about feeding? I heard bettas can go a few days without food. Would that help reduce waste?

[dandyfish]

What about feeding? I heard bettas can go a few days without food. Would that help reduce waste?

They can, but it's not ideal. Feed small amounts daily, like 2-3 pellets. Overfeeding is the real issue, not the frequency.

[frizbit]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try adding more plants and maybe a snail. Gonna stick to weekly changes for now but might stretch it to two weeks if things stay stable.