Who Gives A Fish Forums

What's your weekly tank maintenance routine for a 5 gallon with a single betta? I've been doing 25% water changes every Sunday, but my fish seems stressed after. Using a sponge filter, no tankmates, and keeping the temp at 78F.

25% weekly might be too much for a small tank. Try 10-15% twice a week instead. Smaller changes keep parameters stable. Also, check if your water conditioner has aloe vera, some bettas react badly to it. What's your substrate? Deep gravel can trap waste.

yo i just dump half the water every two weeks and my dude's chillin. but i got plants so maybe that cuts the gunk. u got live plants or nah?

Guard wrote: ↑Tue Jun 03, 2025 1:07 am yo i just dump half the water every two weeks and my dude's chillin. but i got plants so maybe that cuts the gunk. u got live plants or nah?

No live plants yet, just silk decor. Maybe I'll try smaller changes like emerald said.

Mine flares at the siphon every time, drama queen. I do 20% weekly but spread it over two days so it's less shocking. Also, match the new water temp to the tank, not just room temp. Learned that the hard way.

same as riverlynx, temp matching is key. i use a digital thermometer for new water, old school but works. also, u gravel vac? if not, start. waste builds up fast in small tanks.

zephyr8 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 03, 2025 4:26 am same as riverlynx, temp matching is key. i use a digital thermometer for new water, old school but works. also, u gravel vac? if not, start. waste builds up fast in small tanks.

Second the gravel vac. Even with weekly changes, debris settles. For a 5 gallon, a turkey baster works for spot cleaning between vacuums.

tbh i never temp match just kinda wing it and my betta's cool. but y'all got me thinking maybe i'm just lucky. gonna grab a thermometer next time i'm out.

Guard wrote: ↑Tue Jun 03, 2025 5:58 am tbh i never temp match just kinda wing it and my betta's cool. but y'all got me thinking maybe i'm just lucky. gonna grab a thermometer next time i'm out.

Lucky indeed. Mine sulks for hours if the water's even 2 degrees off. Bettas, man.