Basics
Betta fish may appear to be an easy pet to care for, but they, like any other animal, require proper care and maintenance. Cleaning up after betta fish requires some practise and the necessary gear, which is not as straightforward as cleaning up after a dog or cat.
Why do we need to clean the betta fish tank?
Nutrients/minerals, wastes, and gases are constantly imported and exported in natural aquatic habitats via the flow of water, sediments, evaporation, precipitation, and the interaction of various plants and animals.
In our little fish tanks, however, the only thing that enters the system is what we introduce, and what exits is normally filtered out by media or absorbed by aquatic plants.
How frequently should you clean your Betta tank?
Do a 25% water change once a week and a full cleaning once a month as a general rule. A tank with a high-quality filter, on the other hand, can last longer without being cleaned.
The frequency with which you change the water in your aquarium is determined by several factors, including its size, filtration system, the number and type of fish you have, their feeding habits, and others.
While some hobbyists may be able to keep their tanks running with just one significant water change every month, we advocate this technique mainly for larger, well-established tanks. The ecology of a nano tank or any aquarium that is less than a year old is not stable enough to tolerate substantial water changes on a regular basis, so water changes are more frequent.
Cleaning a Betta Fish Tank
You will need a metallic algae scrubber, a gravel vacuum, a razor blade, water conditioner solution, a container for your decorations, a toothbrush and gloves for this task.
To begin, wash your hands and put on gloves. This will keep impurities from getting on your hands and will keep you from harming your betta. Then take the decorations out of the tank and set them away to clean later, and turn off everything.
Step 2: Using an algae scraper, remove all algae from the tank. If the scraper does not remove all of the algae and dirt, you can scrape it off with a razor. If you have an acrylic tank, make sure to use a plastic razor to avoid scratching it. Use a conventional razor if you have a glass tank.
Step 3: Now that you’ve eliminated as much algae as possible from the tank, clean the gravel with a gravel hoover. This will aid with the removal of detritus, fish droppings, and uneaten food. It can also assist you in getting some water out of the tank. When washing gravel, some water should be eliminated. You should drain 10 to 30 percent of the entire water in your betta tank, depending on its size.
The general guideline is that the smaller the tank, the more water you must remove. This is possible with a gravel hoover cleaner.
process 5 is an easy process. Simply make sure your decorations are clean and clear of algae or grime before re-hanging them every few months. You may easily clean them with a toothbrush and heated or boiling water.
The final step is to clean the filter if it is dirty. If you clean your filter at the same time that you clean your tank, you may kill some beneficial bacteria.
Final takeaway
Regular tank maintenance is critical to the pleasure and health of your Betta fish.
Cleaning frequency varies for different betta fish tanks; all you need to do is follow the following instructions and practise; weekly cleaning simply requires water changes, while deep cleaning is recommended once a month.
