How to Clean Betta Fish Tank

Betta fish are incredibly charming, intelligent, and easy to care for. However, just like other animals, they eat and produce waste, which makes tank cleaning crucial. While Betta fish don't require regular walks or frequent vet visits, you do need to keep their tank and water clean so they can live happily and healthily.

Wash your hands! Take the time to ensure your hands are clean. You need to make sure you're not introducing any harmful bacteria or dirt into the tank while cleaning.

• If you're using soap, be sure to rinse thoroughly. Soap in the tank can make your Betta sick.

Unplug the heater, filter, or lights before starting. Turning off the power and disconnecting all electrical devices from the tank is crucial when cleaning. Although these devices are designed for aquarium use, you should avoid letting them fall into the tank or become submerged in water.

Prepare the necessary tools and materials. Before cleaning the tank, you need to find a safe and clean place to move the fish to. Look for a cup or bowl that can hold the fish. Fill it with water from the tank, ensuring there’s just enough for the fish to swim comfortably. You’ll also need cleaning tools and water-cleaning products for the tank.

• You'll need: a basin, a plastic cup or net to scoop the fish and water out, paper towels, a brush for scrubbing the tank, water softening products (available at pet stores or aquarium shops), a sifter to clean the tank gravel, and a plastic spoon.

Remove water from the tank. Use a small cup to remove about 50% to 80% of the water from the tank, leaving some to add back later. This is important because completely changing the water could shock the Betta fish. Instead, you should return the old water after cleaning.

• If you're new to fishkeeping, start by changing 50% of the water, gradually increasing to 80%.
• Most of the dirt in the tank settles at the bottom in the gravel. If you remove the water from the top, you’ll still need to clean the gravel to remove all the debris.

Remove the fish from the tank. Once you’ve removed some of the water, gently scoop the fish out with the cup. Be slow and careful around the fish's fins. If you’re patient, the fish might swim into the cup as it’s lowered into the water, and you can lift the cup up afterward.

• Place the fish in the cup or bowl with the water you’ve prepared from the tank.
• Be sure to cover the container to prevent the Betta from jumping out. They are known to jump, so make sure the lid is secure on whatever container you’re using.

Remove everything from the tank. Drain any remaining water from the tank after transferring the gravel to a basin. This will prevent the gravel from falling into the drain.

• Take out all decorations from the tank. You can place them on top of the gravel in the sifter.

Place the gravel under warm running water. Hold the gravel in your palm and sift it back and forth to remove dirt, waste, and leftover food. Scrub it thoroughly with your hands.

Clean the tank and decorations with warm water. Use a soft brush to scrub the glass surfaces. Dry the decorations with paper towels and set them aside.

• Never use soap to clean anything in the tank, including the tank itself. Any leftover soap can harm your Betta fish.

Fill the tank with water. Add the gravel and plants to the tank before pouring in the water. Then, pour fresh water into the tank and treat it to soften the water. Follow the instructions on the product packaging to determine the correct amount of treatment to add.

• Use a plastic spoon to stir, ensuring the treatment and water are mixed well.
• Remember to leave enough space for the old water that was removed earlier. Add the old water back into the tank once the new water is treated. Stir thoroughly.

Wait for the water to stabilize and reach room temperature. The water in the tank should match the temperature of the old water, ideally between 18-26°C. Fish will die from stress if the tank’s temperature fluctuates too rapidly.

• It may take some time for the water to reach room temperature. Check it after half an hour with a thermometer to ensure the temperature matches that of the room. If not, wait another half hour and check again.

Return the Betta fish to the tank. Slowly lower the cup (containing the Betta) back into the tank, tilting it slightly. The Betta will gradually swim out of the cup on its own. Be gentle during this process to avoid damaging the fish’s fins.

• Observe the fish. Once released, it will begin exploring the tank. Place the tank back in its original position and watch the fish swim around, discovering everything!

• If you have an aquarium, it’s recommended to change the tank every week. Betta fish need a larger tank. Do not keep them in bowls or jars as they dislike cramped spaces. The bigger the tank, the better.
• A heater isn’t necessary, but you should aim to keep the temperature around 28°C. If you don’t have a heater, regularly check the water temperature to ensure it’s at room temperature. Betta fish can thrive at this temperature.
• Avoid placing hard plastic plants in the tank as they can injure the fish or tear their fins. If you use plastic plants, test them by rubbing them on your clothing to see if they snag or tear. If they do, they can harm the Betta’s fins and tail. The best option is silk plants or real plants, as the fish can swim around them, and real plants help oxygenate the water.
• Ensure the tank has a minimum volume of 95 liters. If smaller, the fish may become stressed and even bite its own fins.

• Always handle the Betta fish carefully. If you're not gentle, you could cause injury to the fish.
• Never leave the fish unattended for more than 3 days. Ask a friend to feed the fish and change the water in your absence.
• Do not place the tank near sunny windows, vents, or dusty areas. Direct sunlight can increase algae growth, and dusty or windy areas can introduce debris into the tank.

• Container
• Plastic cup
• Paper towels
• Water softener
• Sifter
• Plastic spoon