is my new betta at the top of the tank?

[Taverna]

Hey Rizen, I can help you figure out the size of your tank. To calculate the gallons, you need to multiply the height, length, and width of the tank, then divide that number by 231. It's pretty straightforward.

[aquanaut]

I just got my new male black orchid betta and I'm beyond excited, but also super nervous. Yesterday was a disaster - I brought home this adorable tiny veiltail female betta, but she didn't make it past an hour. I'm pretty sure it was my fault, so I double-checked my heater and filter today, and I even got my water tested at PetSmart. They helped me figure out the issue with my water's pH level and taught me how to fix it and introduce my new betta to the tank. I followed all their advice and everything I've learned from the betta community on tumblr.

I'm still really paranoid, though - I fell in love with that little female betta, and it broke my heart when she didn't make it. I'm determined to give my new betta the best home possible and catch any potential problems before they become major issues. This is not going to be a trial-and-error learning experience.

My new male betta seems healthy and strong - he's been responsive to light changes and my finger near the glass. However, he's been hanging out near the surface of the water for a couple of hours now, and I'm getting a bit worried. I read online that low oxygen levels might be the culprit, so I'm hoping adjusting the placement of his waterfall filter will help. If that's not it, I'm stumped. He's not even looking at the log I got for him - is this just his personality, or should I be concerned?

This is actually my first time being solely responsible for a fish, and I want to make sure I'm doing everything right. I chose betta because I've heard they're pretty hardy, and we've had them before when I was younger. Any tips or advice would be amazing - even if it's just reinforcing what I've already heard.

First off, you absolutely need a test kit, and you need it now. I'd recommend the API Master liquid test kit - many of us swear by it. You can find it in stores, but it's usually cheaper online, like on eBay. It's around $30, but trust me, it's worth every penny. It'll last you months, and when it comes to your fish's health, it's priceless.

Now, about cycling your tank. There are two ways to do it: fishless or fish-in-tank. A fishless cycle is when you add ammonia to the tank to simulate the bioload of a fish. You'll need to test the water every day until the ammonia and nitrite levels peak and then drop back down to zero. Then, you'll do a water change to bring down the nitrate levels, and you're good to go. This process usually takes anywhere from 2-6 weeks, but you can speed it up by increasing the temperature to 30°C. However, you'll need to keep a close eye on the ammonia and nitrite levels to make sure they don't get too high.

A fish-in-tank cycle is different. Since you already have a fish in the tank, you don't need to add ammonia. However, this means you need to prioritize the fish's health and safety. Ammonia and nitrite are toxic to fish, so you'll need to do daily water changes to keep the levels under control. Seachem Prime can help, but it's not a substitute for regular water changes. You'll need to change around 30% of the water every day, or more if the ammonia or nitrite levels reach 1ppm.

Tetra Safe Start can help by giving you a head start on building up the beneficial bacteria in your filter. However, it's not a magic solution, and you'll still need to do daily testing and water changes to ensure the fish's health.

If you're not sure what to do, I'd recommend doing some more research and talking to the experts. But one thing's for sure: you need to get that test kit ASAP and start monitoring your water levels. Your fish is counting on you.

[florap]

I would highly recommend going back to the fish store and asking if they can help you switch to a bigger tank, it would be a huge relief for both you and your betta. If the staff aren't being helpful, please don't hesitate to ask for a manager. Explain to them that you were given incorrect advice and would like to return the tank for one that's better suited for your betta's longer fins.

I've also heard that bowls can be really disorienting for fish, so it's definitely worth considering a different option. Another option would be to just go ahead and get a 5-gallon tank, set it up, and then transfer your betta to the new tank. Once that's done, you can clean and dry the old tank and take it back to the store for a refund. I don't think they'll give you any grief, especially since you'll be upgrading to a more expensive tank.

Trust me, getting a bigger tank will make a huge difference, not just for your betta, but for you too. You'll love watching him swim around in his new home and getting exercise by diving for pellets. It's definitely worth the investment. When you're setting up the new tank, consider getting a kit that includes the tank, internal filter, and lid with lighting. Just remember you'll still need to get a heater separately.

[Snout]

If the bowl is indeed only 1.7 gallons, maintaining a proper cycle is going to be extremely challenging, if not impossible. In this case, I would recommend doing 100% water changes every 2 days to ensure the water quality remains stable. It's crucial to dechlorinate the new water before adding it to the bowl to prevent any harm to your betta. While a bigger tank is undoubtedly the better option, I understand that it might not be feasible at the moment.

To confirm the volume of the bowl, I would suggest using a measuring jug to get an accurate measurement. This will help you determine the best course of action for your betta's care.