March 15

Sarah Robertson

How Long to Wait After Adding Betta Water Conditioner?

Adding water conditioner to your betta's tank is an important step in keeping your fish healthy and happy. But how long do you need to wait before adding your betta to the tank?

 Most betta water conditioner recommend waiting at least 24 hours after adding the conditioner before adding fish. This gives the conditioner time to work its magic and make your water safe for your betta. However, if you're in a hurry you can add your betta to the tank after only 12 hours - but be sure to monitor the water closely for any signs of stress or illness.

It is critical to provide your betta the best possible care in order for it to survive and thrive happily and healthily for as long as possible, which is usually not less than three years. One of the ways to look after the betta is to guarantee that the water quality is appropriate for him or her to live comfortably.

A betta fish can survive in small bowls or aquariums due to their ability to withstand stressful situations. However, they do well in water temperatures of 76-82 degrees Fahrenheit, regular water changes, and a small aquarium with not less than two gallons of water.

There are few things to remember before adding bettas to a new tank. It's always best to acclimate it first. The fish may be susceptible to stress and shock from the rapid physical changes that occur when adding it straight from the transportation bag to the aquarium. The betta's body might be startled by the abrupt shift in water and temperature. Water conditioners may help to acclimate bettas to their new surroundings.

If you bought your betta at a pet store, you should have received a water conditioner made specifically for bettas. If you were not given one, you'll need to buy one yourself. Conditioners may be found at any pet shop and are also easy to obtain online.

The amount of conditioner you use will be determined by the size of your fish tank. Follow the label's instructions for the quantity of conditioner to use and how long to leave it in water before it's safe for your fish.

If the water in your area is not chlorinated, you may not require a conditioner. However, some conditioners contain chemicals that remove heavy metals, so you can utilize it if necessary.

How Long Does It Take for Betta Water Conditioner to Work?

The time it takes for a water conditioner to dechlorinate your fish tank is determined by the type of conditioner you choose. However, the majority of these treatments will be efficient in about 20 to 30 minutes. In this amount of time, most high-quality water conditioners will remove both chlorine and chloramine.

After conditioning your water, you must cycle it with the filter running and plants if this is a new aquarium. Before refilling the aquarium with water, you should add water conditioners; it works immediately and will not harm the fish. It neutralizes the chlorine and chloramine chemicals that may be found in tap water, making it suitable for fish.

How Long Should Water Conditioner Sit?

The goal of allowing the water to rest for 24 hours is to give time for the chlorine and chloramine chemicals to leave the water. If you're using a high-quality water conditioner, the chlorine and chloramines are gone after 20-30 minutes of adding it.

Basics of Betta Fish Water Conditioner

Water conditioners are available in a variety of forms and brands, but there are a few things to consider while shopping. You can't add any sort of treatment solutions or chemicals to your betta tank, as you would in a non-betta aquarium. These items most likely will result in the death of your betta.

The water conditioner will eliminate the hazardous microorganisms in a betta tank. Not all water conditioner products are going to be the same. Some will be designed to carry out extra responsibilities in your aquarium.

This is not a bad thing. All of the water conditioner products remove chlorine and chloramines from the tank. If you're not sure if your water supply is completely free of chlorine, use the water conditioner always.

Some of the water conditioners also have additional features, in addition to removing chlorine and chloramines. Our tap water is naturally contaminated with minute particles of heavy metals such as zinc, iron, and copper from corrosion or natural sources. These heavy metals can cause stress and even be fatal to your fish if they are not detoxified. Some of the water conditioners also detoxify these metals.

Water conditioners can also remove the ammonia and nitrates that are in your betta tank. A lot of the water conditioners do contain aloe vera. This is going to promote a healthy slime coat on your betta fish. The slime coat protects your fish from bacteria, viruses, fungi, and being infected by parasites. If your betta is recovering from an injury or illness then you should look into products that will boost the slime coat.

Boy using ammonia to cycle his brand new aquarium

How to Use Water Conditioner for Betta Fish?

Here are the steps to use water conditioners to keep an aquarium or water bowl clean for the betta;

Create a Schedule to Change Your Betta’s Water

The first step is to make a cleaning schedule for how often you will be cleaning it. It should not go more than a week without being changed, especially if it's in a bowl. An aquarium, with a water filter can go more than a week. Make a note of the date on your calendar so that you can adhere to the plan. A sudden water change might raise the stress level of the betta, lowering its immunity to illnesses.

Prepare the Water the Night Before

It's critical to keep the temperature of the water you add to a bowl consistent with that of the bowl. Set aside one of the bowls of water, allowing it to rest overnight in the same room temperature.

If you have an aquarium with a heater, be sure the heater is powerful enough to heat up the water after switching it. This is to ensure that the water temperatures remain constant for the betta fish, preventing stress or injury.

Treat the New Water

Although you may prepare the water you will use for the aquarium or bowl overnight, the conditioner should be added on the day you intend to change the water. The correct amount of conditioner should be added to the stated quantity of water as directed on the water conditioner container. Adding extra conditioner to the water can harm the betta's health.

Siphon Out the Water

You may use two distinct methods to treat the water. To begin, remove about 50% of the water from the aquarium or bowl before adding treated water. Use a special siphon or gravel vacuum, available in pet shops, to ensure that gravel and aquatic plants are not drawn out while removing the water.

The second approach is to take the betta out of the bowl and put it in a new one with treated water for a while. When putting the fish in a different container, you can use a fish net. It's critical to make sure all water needs are satisfied in the temporary bowl to keep the betta healthy, happy, and comfy.

Dispose the Old Water

You can now drain out the old water from the tank after removing your betta from the bowl or aquarium. Clean and rinse the gravel and aquarium decorations in order to get the best results. To get the best outcomes, use hot water and special aquarium cleaning solutions.

However, it is better not to use soap or detergents for cleaning the aquarium as it results in illness, stress, or even death of betta. To minimize the risk of poisoning, purchase all of your cleaning supplies from a pet store. After cleaning, place the gravel and decorations to the aquarium or bowl and allow them to cool back down to normal temperature.

Add Conditioned Water

After cleaning, fill the container with conditioned water to the desired depth. Check the temperature of the water in the bowl with a thermometer. If you have a heater for your aquarium, turn it on to bring the recommended water temperature for a betta fish.

To protect your betta from being frightened or stressed, make sure the water temperature is the same as the previous water and the temporary water in which the betta resided while you cleaned his bowl or aquarium.

Place the Betta in the Conditioned Water

When you are finished treating the water and ensuring it is safe for your betta, return the fish to its bowl or aquarium. To retrieve the betta in the temporary bowl and replace it in its usual fish tank, use a fish net, which can be found in any pet shop.

Keep the water conditioner handy for the next water change. It should be kept at room temperature, as specified on the container. It's also critical to remember that bettas enjoy leaping about. To prevent mishaps, keep the bowl or aquarium covered with a lid while leaving some space for oxygen.

best betta water conditioner

Ways to Condition Aquarium Water Without Conditioners

While water conditioners simplify the removal of toxins, there are ways to condition water without using these products. For instance:

  • Waiting: You may eliminate chlorine by leaving the water to sit. The stuff is inherently unstable. As a result, it will dissipate over time due on its instability. In many situations, allowing water to stand for 24 hours can reduce dangerous levels of chlorine by half.

    Adding filters and air stones to your aquarium will help to improve aeration and circulation. Chloramine, on the other hand, will not be affected. Although this technique may work on chlorine, it won't work on chloramine. Unfortunately, the poison is more resistant to deterioration than chlorine.
  • Boiling: If you don't want to wait, boil the water instead. It might take eight minutes to get rid of chlorine from a 10-gallon tank. Boiling, on the other hand, is effective against chloramine. Although it takes longer to work with chloramine, it can be done. While boiling may remove 1ppm of chlorine from 10 gallons in 4 minutes, removing a comparable quantity of chloramine will take 65 minutes.
  • Biological Filter: The use of a de-chlorinator such as sodium thiosulfate is one option. To eliminate the chlorine, add the de-chlorinator to a basin of water. Then connect the container to a biofilter and allow it to convert the ammonia into nitrate.

    On the other hand, because it takes a long time to get results with these approaches, they are not as popular. That is why water conditioners are so popular.

Conditioning Aquariums With a Water Conditioner

You Can Use One of Two Methods to Condition Your Water Using Water Conditioners:

Container: If you usually use a separate container to water the aquarium, make sure the container's water is treated before adding it. Get a conditioner, fill the container with water, measure the conditioner, and add it to the container's new water. It would be beneficial if you took a moment to swirl it before pouring it into the tank.

Hose: You can add the water conditioner to the tank even as new water enters it if you use a hose for water changes. With this hose kit, you must first figure out how much conditioner is required to treat the entire aquarium. Slowly drizzle the conditioner into the water as it flows in, once you've measured it.


You must utilize a water conditioner every time you add water to the tank. To summarize, all new water must be conditioned before it is put in the aquarium.

FAQ:

What Temperature Should a Betta Fish Tank Be?

It should be maintained at a temperature of 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit. The betta's immune system will slow and make them vulnerable to illness if the water is too cold. Hotter water might irritate or damage the betta, since their metabolism will speed up as a result of the heat. A heater is required to keep the temperature steady.

Can You Add Water Conditioner While Fish Is in the Tank?

Many aquarium keepers are aware of the significance of making frequent water changes. The only way to keep the tank free of pollutants and poisons is to do regular water changes. A water conditioners can be used in order to eliminate ammonia, chlorine, chloramine, and any other metals that threaten your fish. 

Since water conditioners are chemicals, some people worry that the products might harm their fish. So, they believe that fish should be removed from the tank before the water is conditioned.

Most water conditioners are safe and do not harm fish. A water conditioner that is dangerous to fish will warn you, so always read the instructions on the packaging. Most of water conditioners will guarantee the safety of your fish.

The best water conditioners, such as API Water Conditioner works instantly. That is why some people condition new water while simultaneously adding it to the tank; they know that these products work in minutes. The conditioners will swiftly neutralize the toxins before they can harm your fish.

Though water conditioners are safe to use, it's recommended that you remove fish from small and densely crowded tanks for at least 15 minutes. This will allow the conditioner to equally permeate throughout the entire aquarium.

Can Too Much Water Conditioner Kill Fish?

Although a large amount of water conditioner might be harmful to fish, not using one is much more likely to kill them. That said, exceeding the suggested dosage of water conditioner is far more likely to kill your fish than not using it. 

How Long Do You Have to Wait Before Adding More Fish?

Depending on the type of fish you're keeping, it might take anywhere from two weeks to two months for your new member to adapt. This gives time for the biological filter to get caught up again. The new fish will also get used to the fish tank at this time, while the older, more established fish will get accustomed to the additional creatures in your aquarium.

How Often Should I Add Water Conditioner to My Aquarium?

You can use water conditioner every time you change the water in your tank. You can use it during partial water changes also. If your fish are sick or your water parameters are not right, you should change the water daily, and add conditioner at that time.

A whole tank of water should be replaced once every week in a 1-gallon aquarium. Only half of the water in a 2 to 3-gallon tank should be changed at once. This should take place once per week.

How Long Can a Fish Stay in a Bag?

Betta fish can survive 9 to 10 hours in a bag (or even a day in some cases). Some fish pet stores will boost the oxygen content in the container, allowing it to survive for up to 48 hours. The fish's survival is determined by how much air there is inside the bag. However, it's best for you and your fish if you keep your fish in the bag for 5 to 7 hours. 

How Far Should I Fill My Fish Tank?

It's best to fill the tank halfway up the trim since the water column and aeration system will generate bubbles that splash out from beneath. Water may splash outside of the tank if the waterline is too high. Jumping behavior isn't unusual among Betta.

How Often Should I Change Water in Betta Fish Tank?

Small water changes of 10-20% every 7-10 days are ideal for your betta's health. This is also based on the fact that you are using a filter. You may also do water changes of 20-30% once every 2-4 weeks, but smaller water changes are preferable for stable water conditions!

How Many Fish Should You Add at a Time?

If your betta fish tank is smaller than ten gallons, it is better not to add more fish to the tank even if you have the necessary heat and filtration for tropical fish.

Betta males and females should only be kept together for the purpose of breeding when they are ready. You should never keep a single fish in the same tank with a betta fish as they will constantly bully the same individual. Instead, we propose keeping betta fish with species that shoal and maintain a group of at least 5 individuals.

How Long Should I Keep Lights Off for New Fish?

A betta should be exposed to about minimum 14 – 16 hours of light in a 24-hour day. You can buy timers for the aquarium light to ensure that this is well controlled.

Bettas enjoy light so that they can predict when it's time to wake up and sleep in a darker setting. You may have an aquarium light on your tank, and if so, you should turn it on as soon as you get up in the morning and turn it off just before bedtime.

What Does Water Conditioner Do to Aquarium Water?

Water treatments will remove undesirable metals and chlorine, as well as break down chloramines, making tap water safe in one easy step. To be extra sure, add fresh carbon to your filter while this is happening since it will also absorb pollutants. 

How Bad Is Tap Water for Fish?

Tap water is fine for filling the aquarium provided that it sits for several days before adding fish (the chlorine in tap water will harm the fish). It's a good idea to run the filter for a week before adding fish to the tank.

betta water conditioner

What Types of Water Conditioners Should I Consider?

There are three distinct sorts of water conditioners available to you, each with its own set of pros and drawbacks:

De-Chlorinators – These conditioners eliminate chlorine, as the name indicates. They won't remove ammonia or heavy metals. People don't use them as frequently because they prefer treatments that are capable of combating both chlorine and ammonia.

Chloramine Neutralizers – The name of these items is appropriate. They neutralize the chloramine in the water by removing the chlorine and then bind to the ammonia molecules, creating ammonium that does not harm fish.

Complete Conditioners – These chemicals are multifunctional. They will target chlorine and ammonia while also removing heavy metals and copper from the water. You may rely on them to balance the pH as well as protect fish slime coats against infection.

Before you can condition your water, you must first determine the type of conditioners you will use. Depending on your goal, you may use one or many conditioners.

Final Thoughts

Betta fish are bright, colorful, and active. They bring charm to a workplace or home. Despite their ability to withstand stressful situations, it is essential that you look after the betta by ensuring that its habitat is suitable for it.

Other than maintaining the water's temperature and PH level, it's also critical to replace the water in the tank on a regular basis. It is also crucial to treat tap water before using it in an aquarium or bowl if you do so.

The water conditioner aids in the removal of chlorine and chloramine from tap water; this is required before adding the betta to the bowl or aquarium. There are various brands of water conditioners, and you can choose one that suits your budget.

The time it takes for a water conditioner to dechlorinate your aquarium is determined by the sort of conditioner you pick. However, in about 20 to 30 minutes, most high-quality water conditioners will remove both chlorine and chloramine.

The majority of water conditioners don't demand you to remove the fish. When the fish are in the tank, you may fill it properly. However, small tanks necessitate special care to prevent high conditioner concentrations from occurring.

Sarah Robertson


I am a passionate blogger who also happens to be a fish keeping enthusiast. Writing about my hobby is something that I absolutely love to do, and it's no secret that my chosen topic is always centered around fish keeping.

Sarah Robertson

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