Will my betta be safe if i do this?

Question

My betta has a new ten gallon tank with a undergravel filter but the water is all murky (a whiteish color) right now, he is floating in a bowl with newly conditioned tap water that is in the tank. the tank is three days old, but the filters have only been working since 9oclock last night. will he be safe if i let him swim in the ten gallon tank or is it too dangerous. i want him to be happy

Answer 1

The filter is the perfect area for beneficial bacteria that break down fish poop to "hang out". When you put the water in the tank, there isn't enough of a bacterial establishment to break down all the fish poop, so it has to grow at very fast rates. The cloudiness you are seeing is a bacterial bloom, classically associated with newly setup tanks. You will have to bear with it and keep the Betta in there. It will take about a month for it to fully "cycle", and then you will have clear water again. During this time, try to siphon poop out of the gravel twice a week (removing 15% of the water) or do a 25-30% water change once a week.

Let the bloom go, it isn't harmful to the fish, but you will need to keep the tank clean until it finishes the cycle process. Usually, the bacteria starters are dead and uselss, but a live culture from an already-running filter would be PERFECT to help start the nitrogen cycle. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Soop Nazi

EDIT: This is ridiculous. NO fish likes dirty water. That is just an ignorant thing to say. Also, NO fish likes a small tank. Bettas are indigenous to the rice paddies of Thailand which are acres and acres of water that hovers around 80* all the time. The rice plants are constantly consuming the toxic substances from fish poop, and while it may be muddy water, it isn't dirty (it is EXTREMELY clean). Also, tap water is fine for fish as long as you treat it with dechlorinator (also called water conditioner, which you are using). Dechlorinator/water conditioner removes not only chlorine, but also chloramines (which more and more water companies are using). Chlorine will evaporate over a day, but the HIGHLY toxic chloramines will remain in the water.

EDIT 2: They may not "care" in the sense that they aren't thinking, "hmm... if I had a bigger tank, I'd put this plant there, and have the filter over there...", but they will be much more active, more colorful, and much healthier in a larger, filtered, heated tank. A 4"x4" container is a disgusting home for any fish.

EDIT3: I'm sorry, you kept a LIVING fish in a 4"x4" container, but I'm being dumb? Did I miss something?

Answer 2

Betta fish are very hardy. I don't really think the water condition matters that much, whether if it's cloudy/murky/cold, they pretty much adapt to anything.


*Edit*
Soop Nazi,
We had a Betta fish for almost 8 years that lived in a 4 inch x 4 inch jar in the window of our kitchen and lived off of flies...His water wasn't exactly what you would call clean, yet he lived there for many years. To be honest, I don't think a fish would really care how big their living container is. Their brain is so tiny, I'm sure they don't really care. All they do is simply exsist...
They aren't like Nemo, who deeply think about what to do, how to do things, and how they wish they had a bigger tank or clearer water...Lol.
Yes, you do need to take care of your fish, but I don't think that they're too picky when it comes to their living conditions...

Soop Nazi...Why are you making such a dumb arguement about this? Seriously, chill out.
Lol..

Answer 3

Betta's actually do better in bowls with out filters or anything. If you read up on them, they are used to stagnant, tropical water. They breathe 'air' from the top of the water and sometimes a filter with the air bubbles gives them too much air.

Answer 4

Yes it is safe the murkiness will be gone by tomorrow. it is harmless to the fish. If you want to guaranty success get some additive to start the bacteria cultures. with only one fish getting the bacteria up and running will take a long time best to " jump start it "

Answer 5

I would go ahead and let the filter cycle for another day before adding him. Did you clean the gravel before putting it in the tank?

Answer 6

Tap water isn't good for fish at all. it needs a days settled water . But Betta's love dirty water so no need to worry about that. Maybe u need a smaller tank to one fish doesn't need that much space and if u are afraid its gonna die Betta's don't die easily.

Answer 7

LOl i consider ssafrass... yet there especially.. DONT breed them you will finally end up withlike 500 and in the event that they dont get rehomed they'll die and be depressing. in case your doing it for exciting just to be sure them make little ones or watever DONT DO IT!! for sure i will tell your no longer a professsional breeder.. SoOO YEah DONT do it for the sake of your fish and the little ones!!!!! :)

Answer 8

Well bettas need frsh water