Using Dawn

[nancec]

I have two 2 1/2 g betta tanks (6 betta) & have been using Dawn since purchase. 2 more betta are in separate glass containers. Have used Dawn on them also. My oldest betta (Wolfie) was a year in February. Am I really killing my fish??!

[Star_Rider]

what are you using dawn for??

is this the dishwashing detergent?

[nancec]

Yes, it is the dishwashing liquid. I've been using since Jan of 05, with my first bettas.

[nerdyguy83]

If you rinse really well after cleaning I wouldn't think the dawn would have any effect on the fish. I can't think of a time that I have had anything on my tank that just a simple rinse and some scrubbing with a soft sponge wouldn't take care of, so I guess the question is why do you feel the need to clean the tanks so thoroughly?

I used to keep gerbils and when I cleaned their tanks (10 gallon glass fish tanks), I would use a heavily diluted bleach solution. I rinsed it out a ton after scrubbings, and they never once had a problem with it. This is probably a very different situation because an aquarium obviously is full of water that any contaminate will diffuse into, but I just thought I would throw it out there.

[msouth468]

Nah, you should be fine. As long as you rinsed the tank out good a couple of times. If you used a lot of soap you might have some build up. But, if you did your fish would have died a while ago.

It is generally just not recommended to use in case you don't get it all. Vinegar and water solution works just as good and isn't as harmful as soap on your fish if you don't get it all.

[nancec]

I change the water about once a week but don't always use the soap. I also pre-treat the fresh water I use for refilling & keep it in gallon jugs. (I drink only bottled water cuz the stuff around here is horrible!) Besides the soap, am I doing anything else wrong?

[nancec]

Forgot to mention - the fish seem to be 'rejuvinated' after I clean them up. They also look much prettier.

[nerdyguy83]

You probably want to look into some kind of filter (I'm guessing maybe you don't have one since you are doing complete water changes). A Whisper 3i is good for your size tank, and it doesn't create enough turbidity to disturb the bettas. It does run on an enternal air pump, which can be annoying to have to set somewhere. Bettas in bowls or tanks without filtration do tend to look worse off (the ones in the cups at the store make me sad), so doing that will perk them up in a few weeks once the filter establishes. If you get a Whisper 3i, buy a Fluval sponge and cut it to size to fit into the little box (don't replace it, just rinse it lightly). Replacing the carbon will just ruin any progress on your biological filtration, and you'll save some money too.

*Edit: The soap isn't wrong by any means. I don't use it, and I think you'll find that most people don't either. That's mainly just laziness, paranoia about getting any contaminate into the water, and mainly the fact that with anything above a 2.5 gallon pretty much everyone only does a partial water change because its impractical and unecessary to do a full one. If you do use a filter, go with partial water changes. I would say you are going the right thing doing full ones with your bettas right now though.

[nancec]

Was looking at some today & thought maybe I should. (Btw - I also need one for a 10g I'm setting up - considered a Biowheel. Any comment?) Bettas in those tiny cups make me sad, too. I want to buy them all & get them into LOTS of water.

8 betta: Wolfie(b & r), Chopper (orange), Fluffy (ropetailed, b & pink), Cheech & Chong - almost twins (b & r), Chipper - saphire blue. Rufus - ruby. And the newest, brought home today - very pale with pink & lilac. Almost transparent. No name yet.

[nerdyguy83]

I am happy with my Bio-Wheel. Some would reccommend an Aquaclear over it, but the the only real difference is that you have no wheel and more space for other media in the Aquaclear. I like the wheel personally. If you go with either of those, do the trick with the Fluval sponges there too. The Bio-Wheel cartridges are way too expensive to replace twice a month.

[Jericho]

The wheel is great for your bacteria, just make sure the flow isnot too much for your bettas, they like calmer water. You do not need to wash the fish bowl with dawn, you are killing any of the good bacteria that grown on the surfaces of the tank. A good rinsing and a scrub every now and then whould be just fine.

[dorkfish]

Just so you know, bettas need atleast a 2.5g to themselves(maybe with gohst shrimp or snails), and it needs to be filtered and heated, they have the same requirements as any other tropical fish. You may say that they don't need all that room, but you most likely have never seen a full grown betta or one in a properly sized tank.

[Native American]

Bettas sure have a wide range of temperaments (we read this as "personality", I'd reckon).

I've got a metallic tan Betta that is just fine with the 3 ghost shrimp in my big tank...in fact, one of the shrimp latched onto his tail finnage one day, and he just sat there wondering what to do. Once the shrimp took a little munch, he swam away and dumped off his "hitch hiker" friend.

My son's Navy Blue Betta devoured everything that ever looked like a ghost shrimp.

Maybe it's just me, but a 10-gallon tank sure is about right for a Betta. Makes room for ornamentation, plants, etc. Those Wal-Mart kits seem about right.

v/r, N-A

[nancec]

6 of my betta are in the 2 1/2g. 2 are in separate (big) 'jars'. Hadn't planned on putting any in the 10g.

[Genral72]

Woww!! 6 bettas in a 2.5 Your not killing them(directly anyways) they are killing each other. Bettas are uncompatible and need at least a 2.5 gallon alone. Most people don't recommend putting 2 bettas together unless you own a very large tank.

[nancec]

I have two 2 1/2g, with glass dividers. I would never put two males together in the same water w/o. The bettas seem very happy, & are very active.

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

Exactly why are you using soap again? It is totally un-necessary and possibly detrimental... I know it is bio-degradable, but that only means it "breaks down" naturally... Doesnt make it safe. You have no idea how any residue is effecting your fish...