betta tank.. should i wait like my fish shop said?

T

timme278

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Sep 7, 2008
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heyy... i have had my 3 gallon tank set up for 3 weeks now.. i got my water tested today to see if it was ready for a betta.. my nitrate and amonia was realy high, they said do 50% water change so i did

they told me to wait another 7/10 days and get my water tested again before i get my betta fish.. should i wait and they said bettas are fragile when i thought they were realy hardy ... so im confussed

can anyone help me pleaseee :)
 
timme278 said:
heyy... i have had my 3 gallon tank set up for 3 weeks now.. i got my water tested today to see if it was ready for a betta.. my nitrate and amonia was realy high, they said do 50% water change so i did

they told me to wait another 7/10 days and get my water tested again before i get my betta fish.. should i wait and they said bettas are fragile when i thought they were realy hardy ... so im confussed

can anyone help me pleaseee :)
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More infomation is needed in order to help you.

What do you have in your tank now?
 
Your ammonia needs to be 0, your nitrites need to be 0, and your nitrates need to be around 20 or less before you add fish. In order for this to happen your tank needs an ammonia source. I will let the "pros" tell you how much to add for such a small tank. I have never dealt with one so small.
 
Yes, please wait - read the sticky as HN said, your tank needs to finish its cycle before you add the betta. Your ammonia and nitrite should be 0 and nitrate around 20 or less. Bettas are not super delicate fish, but high ammonia and/or nitrites can kill even the most hardy fish. What were you adding as an ammonia source? There had to be one if your ammonia and nitrites are "really high". I'd also advise you get your own liquid test kit (API is recommended).
 
Adding a cheap stem/bunch plant would help remove some of the nitrates. (plus the betta would be happier) You could also use a bacteria booster which are sold in a lot of fish stores now. I used to not believe in em but they've worked out extremely well.

Unless there's a specific betta you had your eye on and they're in one of those cramped betta cups, I wouldn't go and get it. If they are in a cup then it doesn't really matter if the cup is the store or at your house, as long as its not in your tank. I would probably just wait and start looking at some plants/decor in the meantime. Could also start looking for a snail friend.
 
rite... added stuff

i did have plants but they malted and made my tank have floty green leafs

the fish store is quite good they are iin like small tanks that are filtered (some how with a pipe in one end and the other end and flows through all 6 of the betta tanks) but probs about 5" x 5" x 5"

umm the fish shop gave me some used (For ages) filter material which i out with my filter spong to help with benifical bacteria

i dont have any fish in my tank rite now because im waiting to get my betta... i also dont have any plants atm but im gonna get some when i get my betta

the amonia test was at 6.0 which was the highest it marked it on :(

hope this info helped
 
There has to be an ammonia source if your reading is off the charts. You are not adding ammonia to the tank?
 
I'm confused as to why you are getting ammonia and nitrite readings if you have no fish in the tank. Are you adding ammonia? What is your source? Kudo's on your LFS for telling you to wait. You need to wait until the water holds a 0 for ammonia and nitrites and 20 or less for nitrates.... with stability... meaning.... when it is at 0 daily after adding an ammonia source of up to 5 ppm for a week.
 
im not adding amonia soo i donno where its coming from..???



i think ill just leave my tank like 2 weeks and then go and get it re-tested

i would rather wait and my fish live

thanks for all you help :):):)
 
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