Betta fish are very beautiful and smart pets and easy to care for. However, like other living things, betta fish also eat and excrete. Therefore, the aquarium needs to be cleaned regularly. The cleanliness of the aquarium must be maintained properly so that the betta fish stay healthy and happy.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Preparation Stage
Step 1. Wash your hands thoroughly
Make sure there is no more dirt on your hands. Do not let any germs transfer from your hands to the aquarium.
If you wash your hands with soap, make sure your hands are thoroughly rinsed. Soap can make your betta sick
Step 2. Before starting, unplug all heaters, filters or lamps
All electrical equipment must be unplugged and removed before the aquarium is cleaned. Do not let these electrical equipment fall and drown.
Step 3. Gather all the materials and tools
Before washing the tank, you will need to transfer the fish to another clean and safe container. Use a bowl or jar and fill it with water from the aquarium. Give enough water so that the fish can swim in the container. You will also need some equipment to clean and change the aquarium water.
You'll also need a sink, a plastic cup (to pick up fish and water), paper towels and a brush (to clean the inside of the aquarium), water conditioner (available at an aquarium or pet store), a strainer (to clean aquarium rocks), and a spoon. Plastic
Step 4. Sip the water out of the aquarium
Take about 50-80% of the water from the aquarium in a plastic cup. Put it in a container so the water can be reused later. The aquarium water should not be completely replaced as this will startle the fish. The collected water will be reused after the aquarium is cleaned.
- If it's your first time raising a betta, start by changing 50% of the tank's water, and gradually increase the portion until it reaches 80%.
- Most of the dirt is in the rocks at the bottom of the aquarium. If water is drawn from the top of the tank, most of the dirt will be removed when the aquarium stones are cleaned.
Step 5. Take the fish from the aquarium
After some of the aquarium water is drained, take the betta fish in the same plastic cup. Take it slowly and try to put the fish in the water so that when the fish is in, you just lift the glass straight up. Be careful with fish fins.
- Put the fish in a container or bowl that already contains aquarium water.
- Be careful not to let the fish jump while being moved. Close the container used to hold the betta fish.
Part 2 of 2: Cleaning Betta Fish Aquarium
Step 1. Empty the aquarium
Drain all remaining water from the tank with a strainer or sink. Thus, no aquarium stone is wasted.
Take all the decorations in the aquarium. Just put it with the aquarium stones
Step 2. Flush the aquarium rocks with warm water
Rub the stone with your hands to get rid of all the dirt that has stuck to it. Do it thoroughly.
Step 3. Flush the aquarium and its decorations with warm water
Use a soft brush to brush the aquarium glass. Dry the aquarium decorations with paper towels and leave them in a safe place.
Do not use soap to clean anything in the aquarium (including the aquarium walls). The remaining soap will hurt the betta fish
Step 4. Refill the aquarium with water
Put the stones and decorations back into the tank before filling with water. After that, pour new water into the aquarium and adjust the conditions. Follow the instructions for use on the water conditioner package.
- Use a plastic spoon to stir the water. Make sure the conditioner dissolves into the new water well.
- Leave room to put the old water into the tank. Pour the old water that was previously collected into the tank after the new water has adjusted to its condition. Stir again until mixed.
Step 5. Wait until the water calms down and is at room temperature
The water temperature should now be the same as before (around 18-37 degrees Celsius). Betta fish WILL die from stress if the temperature changes too drastically.
It took a while for the water to return to room temperature. Wait for half an hour and then check the temperature of the water with a thermometer. If the temperature is not yet at room temperature, wait another half hour and then check again
Step 6. Put the fish back into the aquarium
Submerge the fish tank in the tank and allow the betta to swim out. Tilt the container slightly so that the fish can come out easily. Be careful not to damage the fish's fins.
Watch your betta fish. Your betta will start exploring the tank once it's out of the container. So, set the aquarium settings as before and enjoy the sight of your fish swimming happily
Tips
- You don't really need a heater, but keep the water temperature at 28 degrees Celsius. Keep the aquarium water at room temperature, if you don't have a heater.
- There should be no hard plastic in the tank as it can tear and hurt the betta's fins. Try rubbing your plastic plant against stockings. If your stockings tear, the plant will also tear the fish fins. Use silk plants or live plants to decorate the contents of your aquarium. Live plants will also provide oxygen to the betta's aquarium water.
- Make sure the aquarium size is larger than 9.5 liters. If the tank is too small, the fish will bite their fins out of stress.
Warning
- Always be careful when handling betta fish. Fish can be in pain if you work carelessly.
- Don't leave your betta fish for more than three days. Ask a friend or relative to replace you by feeding and changing the betta's aquarium water.
- Do not place the aquarium near windows or vents or other areas that are prone to dust. Sunlight will encourage algae growth and dusty and windy areas will add dirt to the tank.
