Betta Questions??
- Thread starter DoN_WoN
- Start date
It would be cheaper to pay for bottled water from someone like a Culligan or any number of home delivery services if someone were to pay for water in that manner.
I would also ask, why not just boil gallons at a time and let them cool overnight? Wouldn't that work?
i think i read about people using playground sand, 3M sand, etc. and the LFS do appear to sell some as well so i've noticed. Me? i'm a cheap SOB, so i'd probably take a ride to the shore and take a bucket home and boil it until the water was clear.
just to be 100% sure about this before i fill my 5 gallon, CAN I USE PUBLIX BRAND SPRINGWATER????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
i have too either use springwater or distilled cause my tap stinks!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ill ask our LFS this weekend when i come over Smartdog...here are some stuff that i found about springwater
Springwater---You can use bottled spring water. Distilled water has too much of the minerals and stuff removed for long term use.
Distilled water---I do not recommend using distilled water EVER. Yes, distilled water is “pure” in the sense that it does not have any harmful chemicals in it. Matter of fact it has NOTHING in it. And that is the problem. See, bettas need some essential minerals which they get from their water. And distilled water provides none of that. It is also way too soft and acidic and not suitable. It is also expensive. If you are currently using distilled water for your jarred betta, please switch him to something else
Springwater------Bottled water, if the PH is within the betta range (see below) does not need to be treated with much of anything, since it has no chlorine. It also contains minerals, which is good. Store it in the room housing your betta so its temperature is the same as the betta’s jar. It makes it safer when you change his water. If you only have one betta, bottled water might be a good way to go.
Distilled water----NO! Betta fish, like all other fish, use their gills to absorb oxygen out of the water that they live in. In doing so, however, they also absorb certain trace minerals and other nutrients that are in the water, much like we do when we drink it. Distilled water contains no trace minerals or nutrients; it is completely sterile, and therefore has a lesser capability of harboring oxygen molecules (the molecules have nothing to "cling" to), not to mention trace minerals and such. Humans should not drink distilled water because of its' utter lack of mutrients and electrolytes, so think of it this way: if you can't drink it, your fish probably can't live in it. He'll almost certianly die if you make him live in distilled water, especially if it's free-standing water and doesn't have a filter/water pump.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_spring_water_be_used_in_a_beta_fish's_tank
Unlike tap water or spring water, distilled water has gone through a process that strips it almost completely of all minerals. Like RO water (reverse osmosis), it is essentially pure and no longer contains any of the trace elements that would be found naturally in water. Fish kept in distilled water over a period of time may show signs of lethargy or color loss. Most aquarists choose to use tap water because it is very inexpensive and if treated with a good aquarium conditioner is safer and healthier for your fish then distilled. If you have tested your tap water and found that it isn't suitable for fish (extremely high or low pH for example) you could buy bottled spring water. Spring water has not gone through the distilling process and still contains the minerals bettas need. It is considerably more expensive then tap water but usually less expensive then the distilled water.
That's what I've been saying all along. I'm glad you did some more extensive research.
Distilled/RO water is great for saltwater, because when you add salt you add the mineral and trace elements needed for saltwater fish.
Distilled/RO water is great for saltwater, because when you add salt you add the mineral and trace elements needed for saltwater fish.
As far as what to house bettas with, it really depends on each fish. I've had a male that I tried in my community tank and he bullied all the other fish. I know others have done so successfully. Right now I have 3 unrelated female betta in my 55g community tank. They are a beautiful addition. I also now have a 29g with 3 betta sisters, another unrelated female betta, a female molly and 2 mystery snails. I had one more unrelated female in the tank at fist but she was too bossy and had to be moved. You just never know what you are going to get until you get them home so you need to have an available plan B if they don't do well in the mix.
