How Often Should I Clean My Betta Tank? (Everything To Know)

Betta fish are probably one of the easiest creatures to keep as pets.

They require minimal effort in terms of cleaning and feeding.

Even though the fish can live in relatively any sized container, it is humane to keep them in a regular-sized bowl, at least.

Also, the cleaning of the aquarium will depend on its size, even on the amount of food you give them every day and how much they consume and excrete.

It will also depend on whether you incorporated live plants in the aquarium or not.

 

How often should I clean my betta tank?

This is a common question for first-time owners of betta fish.

You will want to clean the betta tank once a week at the minimum to keep good water quality.

If you do not have live plants, feed only 4 to 5 pellets a day, and have a regular-sized or big container, you should only need to clean the tank every two weeks.

But when you are cleaning, you will need to make sure that you clean all the bowl contents.

Be sure to clean any waste build-up in the rocks/gravel that you use.

If you are only planning on changing the water, make sure that you turn 30% to 40% of it.

There are a few things you need to know before you start cleaning the water.

Following these steps will ensure that your betta fish has a long healthy life.

 

Cleaning Your Betta Fish Tank (Step-by-step guide)

1. Have your water ready before changing

Before you start cleaning or even changing the water, you need to make sure that you have the new water ready.

The reason for this is that betta fish that unconditioned tap water can be harmful to the betta.

You will do this by pouring the amount of water you will need into a container and then using a betta water conditioner to eliminate all the chemicals and minerals.

Once you start cleaning the tank, make sure that your hands are clean so that you do not leave any toxic substances.

Also, be sure that the temperature is near or almost the same as the previous water so that you don’t stress the betta.

 

2. Remove the fish from the tank

Before you pour the water from the tank, you will need to keep the betta fish somewhere safe.

The best thing to do is to take some tank water out in a container and shift the betta fish into that water.

Using the previous tank water will ensure that fish is in a safe environment.

 

3. Take out all the décor

Move all the decorations such as hiding places and plants and gravel from the bowl and clean it all separately.

Removing and cleaning them will make it easier to get rid of all the waste in the aquarium.

Once everything is clean, keep it aside and clean the bowl itself.

You can also keep everything in a big bowl and wash it together if that makes it easier for you.

 

4. Take out the tank water

Depending on the percentage of the tank water you want to change, take that much water out and keep it aside so that you can add it back to the tank once you are done cleaning the walls and the décor.

 

 

5. Take out the leftover water

When you have taken out the amount of water that you want to save and refill in the tank, you can dump all the remaining water in the drain.

Make sure that you do this slowly so that the gravel does not fall out with the water.

If you want to do it quicker, then use a sieve for the gravel (pour the water over the strainer).

You can then take out all gravel in the container, which has the rest of your decorations.

 

6. Clean out the accessories

Take the container of all the decorations and accessories and clean them with warm water.

You can use soft brushes or cloths to clean out anything that is stuck on the surfaces.

Do not use any soap or cleaning detergent on the tank or accessories as it can leave the residue behind, which can be harmful to the betta.

Once done, put them on a towel or a paper towel so that the water can dry off.

 

7. Clean the tank

Lastly, you will need to clean the aquarium; the best way to do that is to run it under warm water while cleaning the walls with a brush or sponge.

All the scrum and dirt inside will get wiped off, and you will have a fresh, clean container.

Ensure that you get into the corners as well, and do not use any soap.

Clean it all again with water so that nothing is left behind.

 

8. Place everything back in the tank

Now that the tank is thoroughly clean, you will need to put the gravel back into place and make sure that it is even; after that, you can set the décor and accessories back where it used to be.

As soon as you are done with that, pour the old water back in.

Adding the previous water back into the new water is very important as it contains beneficial bacteria to break down nutrients.

A sudden and complete change to the water makeup will send the betta fish in a shock and may even cause death.

Pour the water slowly so that you do not disturb your settings in the bowl.

Then pour in the new water that you want to use.

Stir it a little and voila!

The job is done.

 

9. Put your fish back in

Everything is now ready, and you can now place your betta fish back into the tank.

Pick up the bowl that the betta fish is in, insert it in the water and tilt, letting the betta fish swim out on its own into the tank.

Be careful that the fish does not damage its fins.

 

Conclusion

Cleaning the tank is essential for a long healthy life of a betta fish; how you do it also plays an integral part.

Cleaning regularly will improve your betta’s lifespan.