Changing Rustys water

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Hi Amber:

Rusty, my Beta lives in a 5-1/2 gallon tank. I took two gallons of water out and added 1 tsp aquarium salt to the new water from the tap.  I made the water a little warm and left it sit for 1/2 hour before adding it back in the tank with Rusty still in it.

You had mentioned that you leave your beta in the tank when you change the water so the beta will not be so stressed.  The only problem I am having now is that the testing stick reads that the Nitiate is 20, Nitrite 3.0, Hardness 300, Alkalinity - High 300 and PH is 8.4.  I read on the testing strip that if the Nitrite is 3.0 the beta is stressed.  Should I keep adding Aquarium salt until the Nitrite lowers?  Or will he be okay if the Nitrite is at 3.0?

Right know I have a bottle of Aquarium salt, API stress coat, PH decreaser and Aquari-Sol.  I have only added Aquarium salt should I be adding anything else to the water?  Should Rusty be out of the water when I add any of the above including the salt?

When I wrote you last time Rusty was having problems with ich.  But I changed all the water and just added aquarium salt and turned the heat to 86 and so far he has recovered and the water was fine when I left it sit for 24 hours.

So should I go back to leaving the water sit for 24 hours to get the Nitrite down and should I be adding anying of the above to his tank also?  You mentioned less is better.

Amber thank you for your time and I will be waiting to hear from you.

Linda    

     


Answer -
Hi Linda-

Sorry this was a little late coming - Busy for Mother's Day!

Glad to hear Rusty's recovered from his sickness!

Aquarium salt is always a good thing to add to the tank.

As for the levels, they're a little high. Next time you add water, try adding a conditioner.

(I use EasyBalance, you can find it at http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com/shop/index.php?page=shop-flypage-10891 )

Until then, try to find a certain time frame that works for you - leaving the water set for 24 hours seems a little long, two or three should be enough if your water quality is a harsh.

Hope this was helpful!
-Amber Worman

Hi Amber,

Thank you for replying so quickly.  The  only thing I did not understand is if I should add more aquarium salt right now and can I leave Rusty in the tank while I add it?

Linda  

Answer
Hi Linda-

If there's already a dose of aquarium salt in the tank, then you don't have to worry about adding more until the next large water change. In the future, I believe it is safe for you to leave Rusty in the tank while you add the salt, but try not to pour it directly on him.

-Amber Worman