Ryan McVay/Stockbyte/Getty Images Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, are a good choice for beginners because they are hardy and easy to care for. Your main duty in keeping a betta fish will be to keep its tank clean, removing accumulated food from substrate and performing water changes. About Betta Tank Gravel Betta fish (Betta splendens) are known for their colorful fins, and they are often kept in tanks decorated with colorful gravel. Gravel serves two purposes in the betta tank. It provides decoration as well a surface on which beneficial bacteria can grow. Beneficial bacteria regulate biological filtration, the cycle through which waste products such as uneaten fish food are broken down in a process that produces ammonia. Beneficial bacteria then convert the ammonia into less harmful substances such as nitrite and nitrate, thus improving the water quality in your betta tank. If beneficial bacteria do not work to remove these substances from your tank, they can eventually poison your betta and cause him to become sick or die.

What is a Gravel Vacuum? The easiest way to remove uneaten food from your betta tank gravel is to use an aquarium gravel vacuum. Gravel vacuums are often available at your local pet store or from online aquarium suppliers. These tools create a siphon effect to suck up debris such as uneaten food that has accumulated in your tank gravel. Place the head of the vacuum into the gravel at the bottom of the tank and put the end of the tube in a bucket. The vacuum will siphon debris from your tank gravel, along with some water. Replace the water lost with freshly dechlorinated tap water. Manually Cleaning Tank Gravel If you don't have a gravel vacuum, you can also clean your betta tank's gravel by hand. This task is best completed when the aquarium is empty and the fish are in a temporary tank. To clean the gravel, remove it from the tank into a large plastic bucket and fill the bucket with warm water. Agitate the gravel by hand to release accumulated debris then drain the water, using your fingers to keep the gravel in the bucket.

Repeat this process of rinsing and draining until the water runs clear, then return the gravel to the tank and refill it. Frequency of Cleaning Keeping the water quality in your tank high helps your betta fish remain healthy. The more time you let pass in between cleanings, more ammonia can build up in your tank. ver fish tank online gratisIdeally, you should clean the gravel in your betta tank once a week. wholesale aquarium fish in kolkataDuring each cleaning, use the gravel vacuum to siphon out about 15 percent of the tank water from the bottom where the most debris has accumulated. cheap bio fish tanksOnce a month, perform a large-scale cleaning to remove about 25 percent of the tank water. aquarium fish online in india

After each cleaning, replace the water you removed from the tank with fresh dechlorinated tap water at the same temperature as the water in your aquarium. References Seriously Fish: Betta SplendensAnimal Planet: How to Clean Fish Tank GravelFirst Tank Guide: Cleaning Your Aquarium Photo Credits Ryan McVay/Stockbyte/Getty Images See More Animals Can Goldfish Eat Betta Food? fish tank siphon youtubeHow to Take Care of Japanese Fighting Fish What Does It Mean If Your Fish Isn't Eating? betta fish tank preparationHow to Get Rid of Goldfish Smell in a TankSetting up your new AquariumSo you have all the gear but no idea? Before you start anything It is important that you carefully choose where you want to place the tank, make sure it is even ground and will support the tank's filled weight. Slanted floors can result in undue stress and crack the aquarium glass.

Hard, flat surfaces are ideal. Cabinets are popular and are a requirement for larger, heavy aquariums. For smaller aquariums (30 gallons or less) any sturdy, reinforced furniture with a flat surface can suffice.Be sure that the chosen aquarium location can support the electrical requirement (lights, filter, and heaters). Is there a PowerPoint nearby? If not, is it possible to conceal an extension cord? The less electrical wires, the better. Water and electricity do not mix well together. Keeping your setup simple with a single power board and powerpoint is ideal.Below is an aquarium equipment check list. You may have purchased none or all of the items below. We will cover each of the items in further detail down the page, including recommended products.Equipment Check List AquariumAn aquarium of at least 20 Gallons is recommended for beginners. Larger aquariums are generally more stable. Aquarium gravelGravel should be course enough to allow water flow but fine enough to encourage nitrifying bacteria.

Creek Stones, coarse sands, and glass gravel are excellent choices. Avoid calcium & limestone based substrates. Aquarium filterYour aquarium filter should be rated to turn over at least 3-5x the aquarium volume every hour. Use the Volume Calculator below to work out the required GPH. For smaller aquariums, Hang-on-back filters are perfect. I recommend the Marineland Penguin Power Filters for their higher flow rate, reliability & ease of use. Replacement filter mediaEnsure you have plenty of replacement filter cartridges. They will be replaced more frequently in the early stages of your aquarium. They will keep your water clear and debris free. HeaterA heater is essential to limiting disease. It also allows the keeping of tropical fish. EHEIM Jager heaters are widely regarded as reliable heaters at an affordable price point. Use the calculator to determine your required wattage and read down the page for more information. Other decorations (such as fake or real plants) Aquarium Water Test KitA good quality test kit is very important.

It will allow you to test for cycling before introducing fish. It will also alert you to toxic aquarium conditions and save your tanks inhabitants. The Freshwater Master Test Kit is a high quality test kit that allows you to test from PH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Your LFS can test your water but not if they are closed or a distance from your house. Fish foodA quality fish food will result in brilliant, brightly colored fish. Fish should be fed at least twice a day, purchasing in bulk will provide the best value. Use a mixture of color enhancing flakes and frozen foods for more variety. Aquarium VacuumThe vacuum is the heart of your maintenance team. It will clear faeces and debris from the gravel. This will reduce nitrates & stress on your fish. If you are like me and hate spilling water over the floor & carpet get the Python No Spill Vacuum and never look back. Fish netFish nets are useful for removing dead plant matter, excess food and moving your live fish. Aquarium Glass ScrubberThe aquarium glass scrubber is essential.

Always give your glass a quick clean before showing off your aquarium to friends and family. 5-gallon bucketCleaning the GravelOnce you have chosen the tank’s placement it is time to begin setting up the aquarium. Take your purchased gravel and pour it into a bucket. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU WASH THE GRAVEL. Many beginners forget to properly wash the substrate. This can lead to your brand new tank being cloudy for weeks on end.Take a hose with high pressure and spray the gravel/substrate directly in the bucket. When the bucket is filled vigorously wash the gravel by moving your hands in a circular motion. After a few minutes remove the dirty water in the bucket while keeping the gravel at the bottom. Repeat this process 4 to 5 times until the waste water is visibly clearer. Some substrates may continue to cloud the water after cleaning. This is nothing to be alarmed about. Fine and silty substrates will naturally settle in the aquarium over time. The cleaning process is beneficial in removing dust from storage and transport.

Placing the SubstrateGently place the cleaned gravel into the bottom of the aquarium. This will help avoid damage to the bottom glass and stiring any excess finer particles. A smaller scoop or bucket can assist in this process. The substrate should then be smoothed with your hands to create an even base at least half an inch thick. It is recommended to form a slight slant from the back of the aquarium toward the front. This gives the aquarium a nice perspective and the perception of a greater depth.Filling up the AquariumFill up the tank with a hose pipe, (note if it is a small tank or you do not have a tap nearby you will have to use buckets).Use a water de-chlorinator after filling. Although there are no fish, chlorine and chloramines can build up over time. You will need a high quality dechlorinator for the life of your aquarium. It is a sound initial investment as you will need to use it every time you do a water change. Seachem Prime, API tap water conditioner, Tetra Aqua Safe & Kent Detox are all some of the most popular choices and each will do an excellent job.

Choosing the Right Heater & FilterChoosing the correct heater and filter can be difficult. Use this calculator to calculate necessary filter flow and heater wattage you will need for your aquarium. Click Here to use this Calculator to Determine Necessary Filter Flow Rate and Total Heater WattageFilter MaterialGently clean out the filter material under the tap or in a bucket. As they have been stored in a warehouse or shopfront they contain dust and debris you don’t want in your tank. If your filter contains a carbon packet in wool, be careful not to rip this open.Also wash and clean any rocks and ornaments you will be putting into the tank. You will be surprised how much dust and dirt comes off, you don’t want that in your tank.Place the material back into the aquarium filter. If it is a hang-on filter you will need to manually fill up the resovoir to start the filter working. Hang-on filters have a handle on top of which allows changing of its flow rate. For cycling put it at the maximum.

Do the same for a canister filter and ensure the baskets are closely stacked and the top is tightly locked in place to prevent leaks.Heating and LightingTwo heaters are generally reccomended but in a smaller aquarium you can use one if there is a lack of space. A heater that will comfortably fit inside the aquarium is a good choice. Within reason higher wattage heaters are better as they will save power and put less strain on the heater.Stick the heater to the glass in your aquarium where there is good water flow and the least visibility. Turn it on by rotating the temerature knob anywhere between 74 and 80 degrees (23 to 27 celcius). An orange light should turn on while the heating element is active. This will help with the cycling process.Choose an appropriate light for the aquarium. Place the light on or above the tank and set a timer for no more than 8 hours a day.Enjoy your tank as it begins the process of building bacteria to support your eco-community!CyclingAt this point you will have to “CYCLE” the tank.