water changes

Question
QUESTION: Hi Jaymie, sorry to bother you again. I wanted to ask you about water change, previously i forgot to mention that my 5 gallon tank has a filter, how often should i change the water in this case? How can i get the fresh water to the same temperature as the tank one? I have read that adding a bit of salt in the water is beneficial too? at the moment i pour a bucket of room temperature water conditioned with aqua one in the tank every couple of weeks and clean the filter media once a month. I can not use the gravel cleaner as the tank is quite small and the opening is too small to manouvere. Do i need to clean the gravel? you have mentioned that i should remove the uneaten food from the tank but i find it impossible as it lands in the gravel and the betta ends up eating it of the bottom.
My betta is fasting at the moment and looks more active today. He stays at the bottom or on the plants or swims about, but he tends to swim with his tail up, is it normal?

Thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate it.

ANSWER: Karolina,

 Even though you have a filter in the tank, you will still need to do weekly water changes. What I do during water changes is put your hand in the tank. When you go to get the new water, put your hand in it. After you do this a few times it will be easier to get the water pretty close in temperature. I only use the aquarium salt if I have to treat an illness or an injury.You do need to clean the gravel that is in the tank. If you don't you will end up with an ammonia or nitrite spike. This is another thing that will get easier in time. I hope this has helped.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you. I will go to look for  smaller gravel cleaner then. Can i use  wam water from the tap?

ANSWER: Karolina,

Yes you can use warm water from the tap. Remember to add a water conditioner to the new water before you add it to the tank.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Jaymie, thank you so much for all your help so far.
I have bought the thermostat and my water temperature is 77, over night it falls to 75-76 as the heating in the house goes off. The heater i have is programmed to heat the water to a maximum of 78 degrees, it can not be adjusted. Is it ok for the betta? He does seem a lot better lately as he swims about and his belly has gone down, i will feed him tonight. I also have frozwn blood worms, can i use them for feeding? how often should i feed him?

Answer
Karolina,

The heaters that claim they keep the water at a certain temp never work. His water should be at 82 at all times. The heater that works the best are the ones that you can adjust. With the water temp going up and down will cause him to stress and get sick. Frozen blood worms are good for for them. You can give him no more than 4 of them during one feeding. Remember, his stomach is as big as one of his eyes.