Who Gives A Fish Forums

What's your routine for keeping bettas healthy? I've got a 5-gallon tank with a sponge filter, heater set to 78F, and do weekly 25% water changes. Still had one get fin rot last month.

I feel ya, my dude. Had the same issue till I started adding a bit of aquarium salt during water changes. Just a teaspoon per gallon, keeps the vibes right. Also, make sure your filter flow ain't too strong, they hate that.

yep, salt's a game changer. i also feed mine frozen brine shrimp twice a week, keeps 'em strong. what kinda food you using?

Breezeyfans wrote: ↑Sat Sep 06, 2025 12:17 am I feel ya, my dude. Had the same issue till I started adding a bit of aquarium salt during water changes. Just a teaspoon per gallon, keeps the vibes right. Also, make sure your filter flow ain't too strong, they hate that.

Salt can help, but be cautious with it long-term. It's better to address the root cause, like water quality. Test your params regularly—ammonia, nitrite, nitrate. A cycled tank with zero ammonia and nitrite is key. Also, avoid overfeeding; leftover food decays and spikes ammonia.

my betta's in a 10-gallon with live plants and a hang-on-back filter. i do 20% changes every week and use stress coat. never had issues, knock on wood. plants help a ton with water quality.

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Gonna try the salt and double-check my filter flow. Appreciate it!

swiftfox wrote: ↑Sat Sep 06, 2025 7:04 am my betta's in a 10-gallon with live plants and a hang-on-back filter. i do 20% changes every week and use stress coat. never had issues, knock on wood. plants help a ton with water quality.

Live plants are excellent for stabilizing the tank. They absorb nitrates and provide hiding spots, reducing stress. If you're not into live plants, consider adding Indian almond leaves—they release tannins that have antibacterial properties.

yo, almond leaves are legit. my fish chills under 'em all day. also, if you're using tap water, make sure you're conditioning it. chlorine's a silent killer.

true that. i use seachem prime, works like a charm. and yeah, plants are dope. my betta loves swimming through the java moss.