Well,I got a betta for my mom a month or 2 ago-right now for buisness,she's staying in Mt.View Ar-and when she was visiting a few days ago I asked her to bring the betta-rainbow.Well,the params were not so good so I switched him to fresh water and a 1 gall hex tank.Well,I just did a 50-75% water change yesterday-python took to much in at once- and now I just checked the params.The amonia is a 3-4.Well,I'm not sure exactly what to do.I'm also wondering how much sponge filters cost.The tank has an airstone btw.And can someone tell me what I should do to make him happier?

Thanks

I'm no expert, but you might want to try testing your tap water to make sure there is no ammonia in it, if there is, you will need a tap water conditioner. I have my betta in a 2.5 gallon hex tank with a small Whisper filter, that combined with the water conditioner keeps the water quality really good.

From what I've read here, Bettas like really still water, so the air stone might be stressing him out. A bigger tank will make him grow more. They also like to have hiding places, so you might want to get him a plant or two - make sure they are silk though, the plastic might tear his fins.

Thanks for the reply.the airstone is in a tube so the water isnt really fast.I need to put a plant in there.I've been waiting for my mom to bring the plastic plant she has with Rainbow last.I have never seen silk plants here though.I'm trying to get him a 5 gall.And I've tested my tap before.No amonia.
Hmmm...I have to try to get a tank with a filter

Hey, first of all, that's a really toxic amount of ammonia in there, you need to get the betta out of that situation, and quick. There shouldn't be any traces of ammonia in tap water, especially if it is drinkable tapwater, but if you've got a testkit you may aw well check. I know it's stressful on fish to do a 100% waterchange, so maybe do an 80% change and wait for a day and then check it again, just make sure the new water temperature is the same as the tank.

Little one 78 is correct, bettas don't really like water currents, in nature they occur in stagnant ponds, so you might want to ditch the bubbles. Cant help you with costs of filters, I'm not from the US.

If you've already got an aerator you can buy a little box filter (old fashioned clear plastic one that sits in the corner that you can put filter wool and charcoal in) for minimal $$

Thanks-And i know the amonia is really bad I'm trying to work on it.

Being that it's uncycled,there is no problem at all in completely changing out his water.It's best if you can let the new water stand at room temps over night,but if you can't then use Dechlorinator,and evenly match the new water with the water that he's in now.That is very important.That level of ammonia will kill him far faster then the stress of putting him in fresh evenly matched temp water. More regular water changes & gravel Vacs will keep those levels from going so high.

Well,I did a vaccum and 80% change and then the readings were...


Amonia-0.5-1
Nitrite-0

if its only a 1 gallon, i would dump the whole thing once a week... I never bothered to cycle my 1 gallons... (just me... but what do i know!)

but my boys have done well.. I had Spike for 4 years...