clean tanks, sad betta

Question
QUESTION: Hi Jaymie, we've chatted about Fin before.  I did a tank clean yesterday with a 100% water change to clean the algae off of everything.  I woke this morning to Fin hiding behind a rock, hunkered down on the bottom of the tank.  I used only hot water to clean his rocks, tank and fabric plant and let it all dry in the sun.  I refilled the tank with cold water, turned on his heater and filter (yes, he has both now) and added Nutrafin Cycle water conditioner and Algaefix according to directions for my 5 gallon tank and let the water come to temp over several hours and then replaced Fin.  I even added back a cup of the old tank water.  He ate and explored as usual last evening but is on the bottom of his tank hiding this morning.  Any suggestions?  Did I do something wrong?  This is the second complete tank change he has had, with a more than a month since the last one, needless to say, Fin did not react this way after the last water change/tank clean.
Thank you,
Dana

ANSWER: Dana,

Water changes should be limited to 25% changed out every week. When you clean it out completely, you remove all the beneficial bacteria that is in the gravel and filter. Just get a gravel vacuum and use it weekly during the water changes. Now that the tank has been cleaned, your filter will now start to cycle. Make sure you are doing the water changes often during this time and watch him carefully for any other changes. Is he eating normally? When you placed him back into his tank, was the aquarium water the same temp as the water he was in during the cleaning? If the temp is off even 3 degrees it can stress him out. Never take the fish out of the tank during a cleaning.  I think he is going to be ok once the tank recycles, but like mentioned earlier, keep a close eye on him for any other changes.

edit: You can remove the filter. Betta fish do not need nor do they like the filters because of the current they produce. If you do this, then the tank will not recycle.

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

QUESTION: he ate and behaved normally last night when I put him back in the tank.  he has not eaten today, he just stays behind the rock on the bottom of the tank, kind of on his side.  
yes, the temperature was the same as far as I could tell.
what do you mean my filter will start to cycle?  
the Nutrafin cycle says it establishes a safe biological environment, does'nt that replace the beneficial bacteria, we've been using it for a couple months now, Fin has been really happy.
should I take out the filter to help Fin now, he seemed to like the moving water.  
do I want my tank to not recycle?  
do you want me to change 25% of the water now?

ANSWER: Dana,

There is controversy on whether or not this or products like it work. Because Betta's do not need a filter, cycling the tank is not a priority. With that product, I would not recommend using it while there is a fish in the tank. This product is used to help establish a tank, or cycle, and it is usually done without fish. I would remove the filter for now and see how he does. Do a 30% water change now to try and remove the Nutrafin from his water. No, you do not want the tank to recycle if there is a Betta inside. The rise in ammonia and nitrites will cause stress and possible illness, and make sure his heater is set at 80 degrees.

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

QUESTION: i replaced 30% or so of Fin's water and he has begun to move about a bit, changing places on the bottom of the tank, before he just stayed in on spot and did not move.  he has also risen to the surface and grabbed a gulp of air a few times, though has yet to eat.
should I change out more of the water  tonight or wait until tomorrow to do that?
I have also removed the filter.  I can see nothing else physically wrong with Fin, now that I have seen him move a bit.  his dorsal fin lifts fine when he moves, he just still lays at the bottom of the tank, he no longer greets us enthusiastically.

Answer
Dana,

Sometimes they just kinda get into a funk and then come right back out. Do not change any more water today. Do a 25% change tomorrow and then let me know how he is doing. Now that the filter is out, it is very important that you do the weekly 25% water changes.