Abouttina quiao Expertise I can answer all questions about chemistry of water and I would say, I am familiar with almost all diseases of fresh and saltwater fish. I have had my 125 tropical salt and 45 agressive for yrs. I managed a petshop for five years and I am a petcare specialist for a large petchain now. I love my animals. I love this kind of work. Helping people keep their fish sucessfully is so rewarding to me.
Experience I managed a petshop in Bridgeton called Petpourri for about 5 years...I am a petcare specialist for a large pet chain. I have 2 African greys, a Nandey conure,a potbelly pig, 2 rats and a hamster. Oh and did I mention a 125 tropical salt and a 45 agressive salt. I have had brakish and fresh. I am very familiar with disese and chemistry of your tank. I also have 2 senegul chameleons and the anoles that live in the bottom of their 37 high tank. We keep tons of reptiles at the store and keep a couple as pets love them all. I have worked in the pet business for yrs.....along with taking care of all of mine.
Expert: tina quiao Date: 1/18/2008 Subject: tank cleaning
Question I have recently bought my 2nd betta (first one died in 2 months) and I am really trying to get it right this time but I am confused on tank cleaning. I upgraded to a 2.5 gallon tank but it doesn't have a filter. I have been told and read everything from change 25% of the water every 2 weeks to empty and clean out the whole tank once a week. I've been told to clean the substrate and to never clean the substrate. Help, I really want to take good care of this little guy.
Thank you!
Answer Colleen, This is the nitty gritty. You never know how old a betta is when you get him or her. They usually only live for about 3 yrs though I have had some exceptions over the yrs. In a 2 1/2 gal tank you should only have to clean it maybe once a month. I recommend putting him into a glass and cleaning everything with water putting it back together, adding some betta plus or another water conditioner to take out the chlorine and refilling it as close to the water he is waiting in and just put him back in. The big thing is ph go get a 5.00 test kit make sure he is at 7.0. Feed him betta bits or frozen blood worms and not flakes. This way you can see how much he eats and adjust accordingly. Once a month squeeze a frozen pea in there to prevent swim bladder infection like a day or two before you do your water change and you should be more successful. Good Luck,Tina
