Transfer from non-filter to filtered...

[Cheeseburrito]

Hey,

So, Pita has been in a 1/2 gallon, no filter tank from the start (about 2 months). Yesterday, I was able to purchase a 1 gallon tank with a filter. (I know, I know: 1 Better = 2-10 gal tank. Unfortunately, I cannot afford a bigger tank at the moment.)

Right now, he is still in his original tank because I am letting the drops and the filter do their thing for 24 hrs before I place him in his new home; which brings me to my question: How the heck do I do this? I've never had a fish before let alone a fish tank with a filter so I know close to nothing about transferring a fish from a non-filtered home to a filtered home.

Will transferring him to the filtered environment be too stressful for him?

Tips and advice and any kind of help is appreciated.

Thanks!

[BettaLu&Meg]

Ok what your doing for you little guy is definitly a plus! letting the tank cycle before placing him in a what you have to do, and seems your doing it right. Are you using water conditioner? Now for the transfer of your betta to its permanent home, what you don't want to use is a net, Nets are very stressful for them and taking them out of the water to place back in new water can cause shock for them. What i do, is Take a Deep Soup Spoon and get him in that. I breed and a breeder from japan taught me this, and it lessens the stress tremendously! Doing this also keeps them in the same water, same temp when transferring. When the new tank is ready, Place the spoon gently in the water and let him swim out. I own 10 adults and a tank full of fry(babies) and this his how i remove and replace mine!

Now for your betta, Being in a new home will get him to act, sort of not himself, He will be curious, probably ignore you and food, to get used to his surroundings. This is normal, Within a couple of days, your betta should be flaring and eating normal.

Also check out my thread on betta care to prevent sicknesses and proper care for bettas
[Registered users only can see links. ]

[bettalvr]

Cheeseburrito, please check out the links on Fishmomma's posts regarding the Nitrogen Cycle. This will help explain what BettaLu is referring to in his post about cycling your tank. It does take more than 24 hours - to be safe. Check out these sites and then check back if you have more questions.

Your betta is going to be so happy is a larger tank with a filter! Good for you!!

[Oscar Betta]

He will be fine for a while. Maybe wait to the next water change and transfer him.

[wiccansinger]

i have found when there is a filter they get more energertic. i use plastic cups for my bettas i place 1 piece of food inside the half emersed cup wait for the betta to go in and then slowly lift him out. then i have him in the water for 10 mins equaliising (incase of temp difference) then pour them in. i agree with luis, i have a net but have found they take a while to recover from it, i dont think its good for them.

good to hear that you are cycling the tank, always a good thing to do!

[Cheeseburrito]

Thanks, all, for the replies! I've decided that since it's a Friday, I will wait until Monday to transfer him. Even though, I'm really anxious to just go ahead today! I'm nervous that if I do it today and the weekend goes by, when I come in to work on Monday, he'll no longer be Pita - but a mere fishstick So, at least by transferring him on Monday, I can keep a better watch on his health. I don't want to stun and shock him too much.

[Cheeseburrito]

Originally Posted by BettaLu&Meg

Ok what your doing for you little guy is definitly a plus! letting the tank cycle before placing him in a what you have to do, and seems your doing it right. Are you using water conditioner? Now for the transfer of your betta to its permanent home, what you don't want to use is a net, Nets are very stressful for them and taking them out of the water to place back in new water can cause shock for them. What i do, is Take a Deep Soup Spoon and get him in that. I breed and a breeder from japan taught me this, and it lessens the stress tremendously! Doing this also keeps them in the same water, same temp when transferring. When the new tank is ready, Place the spoon gently in the water and let him swim out. I own 10 adults and a tank full of fry(babies) and this his how i remove and replace mine!

Now for your betta, Being in a new home will get him to act, sort of not himself, He will be curious, probably ignore you and food, to get used to his surroundings. This is normal, Within a couple of days, your betta should be flaring and eating normal.

BettaLu - Yes; I am using a water conditioner. It's called BettaPlus from Nutrafin. My mom has suggested using a styrofoam cup to scoop Bettas out from their water when doing water changes (and in this case a tank transfer) - is this okay? I have a net, but more and more I am hearing from people that nets can cause damage so I'd like to go about that process better.

Thanks, again, everyone for all the tips

[BettaLu&Meg]

the cup will work, i would still try to get a soup spoon of somesort to get him from underneath, but ff you have a better success doing so with a cup, more power to you! .

I tried a cup and my bettas i guess were scared of it and swam for there lives! lol
but if so, definitly go from under them and get them from underneath. Let me know how it turns out

Great you got the conditioner, seems like your doing the best you can for your betta! also check out my thread for [Registered users only can see links. ]

[bettalvr]

Oh Cheeseburrito, how I can relate to having a new tank all set up and can't put a fish in it! It's hard. You may want to add some of the water from your established tank to help with the bacteria. The weekend really isn't enough time for new bacterial growth and you may experience lots of pH spikes over the next week(s) or so. Keep a close eye on the pH as it is an indicator something is 'off' in the water. I hope all goes well and I'm sure Pita is going to LOVE it! Good luck and resist that urge to move him throughout the weekend. . .

[BettaLu&Meg]

Definitly keep us posted on how the little fella likes his new home!