Change Your Betta Fish Water

One of the most important things to learn when taking care of a betta fish is how to properly change the water in its tank or bowl. Dirty containers are unhealthy and can make your betta sick, but changing its water improperly can also cause the fish harm. There are two methods for changing a betta’s water: a partial water change, and a total water change. The partial water change is usually preferable, as totally new water can shock the fish.

Choose a Method

  1. Partial water change: Do this at least once a week. Small tanks or containers without filters will need more frequent changes.
  2. Full water change: Only necessary if tank is extremely dirty, or if ammonia levels are still high after several daily partial changes.

Steps

Doing a Partial Water Change

  1. Prepare the new water.[1] Fill a large, clean container with fresh water. Leave your betta’s current container alone for now. Use a water conditioner (available at pet supply stores) to remove chlorine and other harmful substances from the fresh water.
    • Follow all directions provided with the water conditioner, and use the exact amount required for your tank or bowl size.
  2. Allow the water to warm up. Putting your betta immediately into water that is a different temperature can harm it.[1] Let the container of fresh, treated water sit at room temperature for an hour so that it will be safe and comfortable for your fish.
    • Alternatively, you can mix hot and cold water from your tap until it is the same temperature as the water in your betta’s current container.[2] If you follow this method, use an aquarium thermometer to make sure that the water in both tanks is the same temperature, and add water conditioner to the new water as instructed.
  3. Remove some water from your betta’s current container. To do a partial water change, you will take some of the water from your betta’s container and replace it with some of the fresh, treated water. Using a clean scoop or something similar, remove 25 to 50 percent of the water in your betta’s current container.[2][3][4] Leave your betta in the container as you remove the water.
    • To be precise, you can measure the water as you take it out. For instance, if you have a twenty-gallon tank, remove up to ten gallons measured using jugs or other measuring containers.
    • You can also Siphon-Water to transfer water from your betta’s container to a bucket or sink. Once the water starts flowing, move the hose so it "vacuums" the gravel at the bottom of the tank, picking up fish waste, old food, and other debris.
  4. Refill your betta’s container. Slowly pour fresh, treated water from the container you prepared into your betta’s current container until it reaches the previous water level.[4][2]If the container is too heavy to lift and pour, use a clean scoop (or similar container) or siphon hose to add the water. It is fine to leave your betta in its container as you add the fresh water, but add the water slowly so that you do not disturb the fish.
  5. Repeat water changes frequently. Most experts recommend changing your betta’s water at least once a week.[1][4][5] If for some reason your betta’s container becomes especially dirty, however, you may need to change it more frequently.

Doing a Full Water Change

  1. Prepare the new water.[1] Fill a large, clean container with fresh water. Leave your betta’s current container alone for now. Use a water conditioner (available at pet supply stores) to remove chlorine and other harmful substances from the fresh water.
    • Follow all directions provided with the water conditioner, and use the exact amount required for your tank or bowl size.
  2. Let the water warm up. Putting your betta immediately into water that is a different temperature can harm it.[1] Let the container of fresh, treated water sit at room temperature for an hour so that it will be safe and comfortable for your fish.
    • Alternatively, you can mix hot and cold water from your tap until it is the same temperature as the water in your betta’s current container.[2] If you follow this method, use an aquarium thermometer to make sure that the water in both tanks is the same temperature, and add water conditioner to the new water as instructed.
  3. Transfer your betta from its container. Using a fish net, remove your betta from its current container to the container filled with fresh water.[1] Be very gentle when moving your fish, as its fins are very susceptible to injury.
  4. Clean the betta’s container.[1] Pour out the old water from your betta’s container. Gently clean the container itself, using only water and a clean, soft cloth or sponge; soaps and other products can harm your fish. Make sure to sift the tank’s gravel to remove waste, food debris, etc.
  5. Begin filling the betta’s container. Take some of the fresh water from the container your betta is currently in, and pour it into its container.[1] Pour enough so that your betta will be able to move comfortably in its container.
  6. Transfer your betta back to its container. Using a fish net, move your betta from the holding tank back to its container, now partially filled with fresh water.[1] As before, be very gentle when moving your fish.
  7. Pour the rest of the water into your betta’s container. Take the rest of the fresh water from the holding tank and very slowly pour it into your betta’s container. If the container is too heavy to lift and pour, use a clean scoop (or similar container) or siphon hose to add the water. It is important to pour very slowly so that you do not disturb your fish.[1]
  8. Repeat full water changes as needed. Most of the time, partial water changes are all that are needed for a betta's container.[1][4][5] Complete a full water change, however, if the container becomes dirty all over.

Tips

  • Contact your veterinarian or aquarium supply store if you have trouble changing your betta’s water, or if you think your fish is sick or not adjusting well to the fresh water.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 http://faculty.etsu.edu/odonnell/2014fall/engl3130/student_essays/Betta_fish_guide.pdf
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 https://www.pijac.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/betta_new.pdf
  3. ↑ http://nippyfish.net/bettas-101/all-about-water/water-changes/
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 http://aquariuminfo.org/betta.html
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 https://www.pijac.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/betta_new.pdf

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