Separate utensils for fish?

Question

I have two betta in two separate tanks. Due to my newness with fish, there was a lot of bacteria from waste in their tanks. One got tail rot and it getting better, now the other has it. I want to know if it is okay to use the same gravel cleaner in their tanks or will that give each other the infection over and over again? I have that expensive Eheim Gravel Cleaner that is battery operated. Do I need to buy two of those?

Answer 1

Washing your gravel siphon between tanks with hot water should be all that's needed to prevent transfering disease. Of course, you could tdo the water changes on separate days and allow everything to dry well between them, that will prevent the majority of disease transfer as well.

Obviously DO NOT put both of your fish in the same tank to treat them. Bettas don't mix with other male bettas. Besides, one is getting well, why risk reinfecting him just to treat the other? Not a sound plan.

MM

Answer 2

"Hello Mia"
Welcome to the aqurium hobby as it is a lot of fun.

It is a good practice to keep separate utensils for the fish hobby. By that I mean, don't use fish utensils for people use. Keeping your utensils clean and sterile is also a good practice.

Instead of using little battery operated gravel cleaners, get yourself a large unit from python - the syphon sucks out the dirt - no batteries needed. To get the syphon going, the hose and tube need to be full of water. I myself purchased the gravel cleaner tube (inexpensive) at a pet shop, and attached it to a rubber hose one uses in motorhomes for drinking water. Don't use a regular garden hose as these are often impregnated with mold killing material, and this would kill your fish instantly. From the garden center at Walmart, Lowe's or Home Depot get some quick connect hose connectors (they snap onto the faucet) and a "Universal" connector to screw onto your faucet. Motorhome hoses cannot be connected to faucet directly without this universal connector - they don't fit.

Clean your gravel monthly, and this way you won't have dirt, rotting food and build up of nasty type bacteria in your tanks.
Remember: there are good (necessary for tank) bacteria and bad ones which cause illness.

Place both of your fish into the same tank and medicate them with Maracyn II. This is an all spectrum antibiotic medication and is available at any good aquarium/pet place

You also need a good aquarium book to read up on the hobby. One of my favorite books is from Alpha books and the title is:
"The complete Idiot's Guide to Freshwater Aquariums"
This is a good one to have because Mike Wickham, the author touches on every detail that has to do with fish keeping. Cost is around $18. Perhaps you can find this book at the Library.

Good luck with your tanks.

****ooooops, I goofed when I said to put both Bettas in the same tank. Sorrry, of course I know better.
I typed the answer at midnight, therefore, I was not thinking clearly.

Everything else regarding cleaning the gravel....is correct.