Betta fish naturally inhabit slow-moving rice paddies, ponds, or shallow streams. Wild bettas, as they are often referred to, are highly sensitive to incorrect water parameters. Bettas bred and raised for aquariums over several generations are adapted to freshwater conditions. However, this doesn’t mean they can thrive in tap water.
Tap water contains additional chemicals and substances for domestic use, which can negatively impact betta health if not properly treated.
In this blog post, I’ll share my 10 years of experience keeping bettas and how to treat tap water for betta aquariums. Let’s get started! Welcome to AngryFishes.
Is tap water bad for betta fish?
It’s not that tap water is inherently bad for betta fish in aquariums. Tap water can be used for betta fish if it’s properly conditioned or treated to meet their water requirements. The confusion about tap water for bettas arises because betta fish have become popular pets, and many of us keep them in our homes where tap water is readily available. This has led to numerous inquiries on social media and betta forums.
The untreated tap water in our homes may contain chlorine, lead, and copper from the sink. The level of chlorination in water depends on the local municipality’s treatment, which varies from place to place.
However, I suggest conducting preliminary treatments on tap water to achieve the required water parameters for bettas. The key is to use tap water for bettas after a simple conditioning procedure, which I’ll address below.
Conditioning tap water for betta fish?
Here is the conditioning process: Before starting, analyze the current parameters of the water using an aquarium water testing kit. Once you have the results, begin the conditioning process. This section deals with conditioning using a water conditioner. However, beginners or those on a budget can follow the below steps for conditioning water for bettas without any conditioner.
- First, acquire a water conditioner for the procedure.
- Then, transfer the tap water to a container and add the water conditioner according to the instructions.
- Allow the water to rest for some time.
- Optionally, add an air pump to the container to enhance dissolved oxygen.
- Adjust the water temperature to 25-28°C, which is preferable for betta fish.
- After 1 to 3 hours, check the water parameters again and compare them with the previous readings.
Note: If the conditioned water has more than 250 ppm or 20 dH of hardness, it is recommended to add Indian almond leaves (also known as catappa leaves) or use driftwood. Both contain tannins, which can help reduce the hardness levels of tap water.
Check for the correct water parameter:
Once you have conditioned the water, it is time for you to check it for the correct water requirements for your lovely betta. Do not blindly rely on water conditioner products. That’s why I suggest you check the parameters manually, which may provide you with additional experience in keeping bettas.
Problems with Tap Water in Betta Tanks?
The tap water we use in our homes is readily made and supplied for domestic use, often containing chlorine to eradicate mosquito eggs and their reproduction. However, when you use this water for your betta, several things can happen.
The chlorine in the water will reduce the dissolved oxygen level, leading to a condition in bettas called Hypoxia.
Bettas may experience difficulty breathing and may remain still at the water’s surface, exhibiting high-stress levels. Additionally, chlorine can affect the gills of betta fish, causing inflammation or irritation in their bodies.
This can result in abnormal swimming behavior and may lead to internal organ damage and death.
So, these are the potential effects of using tap water directly for bettas.
Will tap water kill betta fish?
Yes, if you keep the betta fish in tap water without any water conditioning and no air supply, the betta will suffocate due to the lack of dissolved oxygen in tap water, leading to the death of your beloved betta fish.
However, even if the tap water contains a low level of chlorine and other chemicals such as chloramine, the betta may appear fine initially but will exhibit symptoms such as refusing to eat. In this case, replacing the water with conditioned water may help solve the problem.
Keep in mind that when conditioning your betta for breeding purposes, you should use conditioned water in advance to help set up its metabolism and promote health.
Can Betta Fish Live in Tap Water Overnight?
No, you should not leave your betta fish in tap water overnight. Unless you are in an emergency where you have no other option but to keep the fish with you, then you may take the risk.
Otherwise, if possible, take a small container and pour some aquarium water from your existing tank into it, and then place the betta inside for the duration of the emergency.
If you don’t have access to aquarium water and conditioner, you may take a chance and leave the betta in tap water. Add an air pump and set up a heater. Add some plants inside it or on top of it. Once daylight comes, obtain a conditioner and follow our guide to treat the tap water before transferring the betta to its new conditioned environment.
Treat tap water for bettas without Conditioner:
Here comes the awaited part: treating tap water without any conditioner. This situation often arises for betta fish beginners, so I’m assuming certain conditions, such as not having a water conditioner but having some tank accessories like an aquarium air pump and heater. Now, let me tell you the procedure to treat tap water for bettas.
- Pour tap water into a wide-top container, whether plastic or glass (the aim is to expose more water to air).
- Add the air pump to the container (distribute the air pump to different areas within the container and set it to high power).
- Set up the water heater.
- Leave the water for 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, switch off the air pump and leave it for 1 hour.
- Then, collect the water from the top level and use it for the betta tank aquarium.
By following this method, most of the chlorine will be removed. Even if not, collecting the top-level water will have lower chlorine levels. You can use this method initially, but it may not work well all the time since it takes an entire day. So, it’s better to get a good water conditioner for bettas when you visit an aquarium shop.
Note: If you have an RO (reverse osmosis) system or UV filtration system in your home, you can also incorporate those, as they will quickly eliminate and reduce the process duration.
EndNote:
So, here’s the summary: You can use tap water in emergencies when you have no other options. However, using tap water without conditioning can lead to inflammation and suffocation in betta fish, affecting their internal organs. Therefore, conditioning tap water before introducing the betta is the solution for using tap water with betta fish.
I hope this guide on how to treat tap water for betta fish, with and without water conditioner, helps you in your betta fish-keeping journey. Thank you for staying till the end.
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If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment box; I will be pleased to interact with you and your betta.
Bye for now. Signing off, Thaha.