honestly i love the look of natural tanks… i had put natural driftwood (cleaned) in my 40g and i don’t see that as a problem, it lowers my ph levels and i keep up with it enough so my water doesn’t turn that yellowish brown. Their gracefulness and shining colors make them a favorable choice for a pet fish. Let the water cool overnight then it will be safe. This includes glass with sharp edges, or painted glass, objects or decorations with sharp edges. Can I put 2 female bettas in a 5 gal tank with a filter. Can you put to much water conditioner into a tank? I came across this blog when searching what can make your tank more basic. Can you put Sea Shells in a freshwater fish tank? It works a treat dimming the light into the tanks, and the vinyl silk isnt in the water. Driftwood is fine to add and is a nice addition to an aquarium. It really depends where it was mined. Fishkeeping world was created by a school of fish fanatics. Thanks, Robert, Could I use silicon plants to decorate instead of plastic plants from the aquarium store… are their any other types of material that is safe to use for plants. But that said Betta do well in a tank with a Ph of 6.8 -7.6. If not, I would avoid adding it. I bought a flower that’s made of foam, but I don’t know if it’s different than regular craft foam. Thanks, Robert. They are so well loved due to the many different shapes and colors which they can be found in. Aside from the food you provide your fish, no other consumable objects should be placed into your tank. There is also evidence to suggest that lead is present in some pottery which is a health hazard for both humans and fish alike. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'fishkeepingworld_com-box-3','ezslot_2',110,'0','0']));If you’re at the stage where you’re ready to set up your fish tank, you’ve probably done a lot of research. You can even keep several females together in a sorority if you have enough room! But you can’t just put un-treated wood into your aquarium. Hi Dorothy, I wouldn’t advise putting shells in a freshwater tank because it might add calcium to your tank. We use a water softener for our hard water which we were thinking is the issue. The betta fish, also known as the Siamese fighting fish, is a freshwater fish from Southeast Asia.It can measure up to 2 inches in length and can live up to 3 years. Variety of iving plants are always better…research type of plants bettas lay their eggs in. The fish will nibble on the algae growing on the plastic/silk plants. Make sure you know all the side effects off adding things to your tank, there are even some plants which are harmful for fish so do your research thoroughly.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-2','ezslot_9',115,'0','0'])); Many of the wooden ornaments that you find in pet shops have been treated, so they are fine to include. I’m nervous about gravel substrate changing the pH, so I’ve found some manufactured sea glass gravel so no sharp edges, pretty and neutral colors, and not painted, but will I get a good bacteria bloom with it? We advise that you make the fish tank as similar as possible to natural habitats and avoid plastic when possible. Your email address will not be published. He is also a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America and the Nature Conservancy. Would the shells be enough to give consistently high alkaline levels? Hello, Thanks for your question. I'm worried please help! We’re thrilled to have you as part of our community. Some of my decorations are sharp but my betta seems fine with it. By entering this site you declare You cannot put untreated seashells in a freshwater aquarium. Whilst most people do not use a filter, it will be easier to look after your tank if you include one. As the food breaks down it affects the water chemistry, even more so in a smaller tank. Thanks, Robert. thank you! Paint can flake off objects and poison your fish. Will the lead seep out of the crystal? I’m interested in making some foam decorations for my Betta but I can’t find any information on whether it would be safe or not. It will also alter your ph level so you should keep that in mind. Is it going to cause chemical changes in the water. It seems he highness at his favorite, bloodworms, but doesn’t quite eat it. They look like real shells too. Forget about the look of … And many ppl said tea tree, though strong, is milder than cajput oil in melafix). Poor guy is in a gallon atm, but I’ve tried to put a lot of thought and research into what I should be doing as a new Betta owner. Over time it can lower the pH in your tank and if you leave it for too long no matter how well … I’ve been looking at the biorb decor, but the plant bases and sculptures seem to all be ceramic. Sea shells are one of the things used to change the parameters of water THAT is why you see them in tanks on video. I’m not sure what it’s made of and would like to know if it is safe to keep with my Betta fish. If you are going to do it, you will have to rinse it a TON to get rid of the salt, like a lot a day for a couple of weeks. A filter will also encourage good bacteria growth in the filter media. They rest tilted in pebbles so make a nice hiding place for the fish as I don’t put plastic items in. Betta fish water change. You can check out their range and offers here. Good luck with your Betta. Also, how many rocks do you have to have on the bottom of the tank. It is fine to put your hands into your fish tank as long as they are not contaminated. Just make sure that they are specially made for fish tanks and don’t contain any substances that may be toxic for your fish. Hi Lauren, this happens all too often, as most pet stores are keen to sell you fish quickly. what do you suggest?? Yes artificial plants are fine as long as your thoroughly rinse them before you put them in the tank. I’ve see some people put shells in their own tanks, and they say it’s fine. web browser that Thanks you! Transfer the betta fish into a bag full of the old fish tank water, and set it into the new fish tank. Welcome to Fishkeeping World. Thanks, Robert. Please don’t breed snails in a betta fish tank! The tank comes with a filter, so I’m good there! To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a Will something bad happen to the water if I put the shell in there? Snails are hardier than Betta fish. You’re article helped me as far as what to not put in it. Neon Tetras. If you use a bigger aquarium, then it is better for betta. Is that okay to put into the tank with my Betta fish? Surprisingly, there is a wide range of fish and invertebrates that you can keep in a tank this size. Just make sure you rinsed it enough to remove all the salt. If I were you I’d return the fish to the pet store and say you’ve researched how to cycle a tank properly and the process takes much longer than two days. Once these levels are very low, you can move your betta fish into the new tank. The only way to do it is to seal them with a non-toxic varnish completely. The crayfish does this too, but I believe he is consuming the plant also. Fish chew and bite a lot. Robert. No matter what water conditioner we use the test strip doesn’t get lower than 8. If it were me, I wouldn’t use it. This is just as important, if not more important than knowing what things to include in your tank. Personally, I wouldn’t put plastic in my tank unless it’s marked as food grade safe. If you have things like cichlids that like hard water, sure go ahead. PH balance with Betta really is not a problem since betta are air breathers. Hi, this depends on may things – the type of metal, whether you’ll use a filter etc. It is widely coveted due to their spectacular fins and bright colors. You therefore want to reduce any other stress as much as possible, and the smoother the transition, the easier it will be on the betta. Betta fish are among the most loved fish species for an aquarium. If you can, I’d put him in a bigger tank and carry out larger partial water changes rather than 100% changes daily, whilst this is OK for healthy fish, it may stress him out more whilst he is recovering. If you are an aquarium hobbyist, you should know that Betta fish can withstand a lot because they are hardy aquatic animals. About 6 months ago, I bought some Scallops in shells from a supermarket and saved the shells to use in the aquarium with our guppies, platys and clown loaches. Will it peel off due to the light as one has to be face down facing the water as the tank lid is tight and the light rests on the trap itself. The only shell safe that I can think of are, decors that are made with fish tank safe material. If there is a big difference with the alkalinity of your tank AND the alkalinity of your replacement water it can be a serious problem when doing water changes. And how often should I try to feed him? Hi Robert- Setting up a new tropical freshwater 10 gallon tank (second time in 8 days, fed the fish too much, water got cloudy and all died but 2) The pet store says fill the tank with tap water, put in the correct amount of water conditioner, run the filter for 24 hours, put the heater in near the end of 24 hour period and your good to go. can i put golf balls as decor in a betta’s tank? When you’re ready to combine betta fish with other fish in a community tank, take the same precautions you would before adding any fish: Ensure they are free of disease and parasites hi, thanks for all the useful information. I would hate to have to remove it because my plecto loves it and is eating it. I have been removing a lot of very small pieces of plant floating on top. Most shells will raise the alkalinity of your tank. One cut to your fish could lead to infection if not quickly treated so best just to avoid anything sharp altogether.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_20',121,'0','0'])); This is perhaps an obvious observation to those who are more experienced, but it is one that must be covered. There are a few exceptions to this rule, for example, we can eat of copper glazed ceramics, but they would be harmful to shrimps, and other species. The leaching salt will kill freshwater fish. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. but just a couple would be fine. They are saltware creatures and the salt water acts as a preservative for their shells and skeletons. Thanks for your question, Robert. Best 5 Gallon Fish Tank: Buyer’s Guide, Stocking Suggestions and More…. If you have ever heard anything about betta fish, you have probably heard that they must be kept alone, as they are called "Siamese fighting fish" for a reason. You can then go back and collect the fish once your tank is properly cycled. You can pick brightly-colored or red fish for your aquarium if you want. Can you put gold fish/coys in a metal horse watering container? By this, we mean, hand soaps and creams should be thoroughly washed off. Pretty sure the bigger tetras nipped a number of his fins off, though it could have been our gourami. Often the plastic toys you can purchase from fish stores are painted, and the paints may not have been sealed. Getting ready to order some decor now! Robert. These 1-inch, red-orange tetras make a lively, colorful addition to any aquarium that is … Breeding snails with Siamese fish. thanks. You will probably also want to boil it to kill any bacteria and parasites. It’s also going to provide places for your betta to hide and swim through, and if you have any other fish they can hide in it as well. Hey, I have a toy octopus. Thanks, Robert, Hi, We are setting up a fresh water 10 gallon tank. You’ll learn about 68 different tank mates that can live with your betta, as well as fish to avoid. Learn more: The 9 Best Plants for Betta Fish (Easy to Grow & Care for) You can also put other decorations inside the tank, like caves, treasure chests, or those little haunted mansion figurines you see at pet stores. There are plenty of foam lotus’ that are designed specifically for aquariums, I recommend choosing one of those. Is it safe to put in the tank? I just want to ask if I can put any artificial plants purchased at my local shop in my tank. When plastics are left in water for long periods of time they can release potentially toxic chemicals into the water, so they should be avoided in fish tanks at all costs.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'fishkeepingworld_com-box-4','ezslot_3',134,'0','0'])); There are a number of exceptions to this, if the plastic has been graded food safe.