Umm..

[Roxyluvsme13]

I hate to ask more questions, but I just bought some Novaqua for the bettas today... Do you have to use Amquel with it, too...?

[Husky_mom]

i really have no clue on those products since im not familiar with them (we have different brands here ) but i found this on a site

Novaqua can be used with it to fully condition water

heres the site, well its a place where they sell them but it had some specifications

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...on.asp?CartId=

[Roxyluvsme13]

-____- That means I'm going to have to go buy some Amquel, too.. . Stupid me for not reading before I bought it.

[Husky_mom]

weeeell, it says you can use them to fully condition water not that you have to........

[Roxyluvsme13]

Yeah, but I don't think I'll feel safe using just one..

[Husky_mom]

yeah i know what you mean......

[K9soul]

I just use Stress Coat. If I remember right Amquel is to get rid of ammonia in the water if your water tests to have too high of an ammonia level. If it's Amquel Plus, it would do that plus remove chlorine. Novaqua is like Stresscoat I believe, dechlorinates, helps add the protective slime coat etc. Both of my tanks are cycled so I don't have to worry about high ammonia levels.

[Roxyluvsme13]

I don't even think there's any ammonia in our water.. . I'll just use the Novaqua plus and hope for the best.

[K9soul]

Almost all tap water has some level of ammonia, and of course the fish waste creates ammonia. That's why it's important to change the water often, especially if they are in small containers. The ammonia levels can build up and become toxic or cause illness very quickly in small containers. There are ammonia test kits (and nitrate/nitrite etc etc). But again that stuff is not cheap. Fishkeeping can actually be a very expensive hobby if making sure they will have good conditions and live the longest life possible. Unfortunately a lot of people get fish thinking they are "cheap" or "easy" pets. But if a person wants their fish to live longer than a few months, more investment and effort needs to be put into it. Betta fortunately are still easier than most fish since they can tolerate higher ammonia and nitrite levels than many other fish, but they still often get fin rot and other diseases if not in good conditions.

[Roxyluvsme13]

Ok, thanks . I'll just make sure to watch them and change their water often until I can get some Amquel Plus. I normally change it once a week, but would 2 times a week be better? Most are in one gallons, 3 in 1/2 gallons.

[K9soul]

Twice would be good, especially the half-gallons, and also make sure you don't put in extra food that they don't eat because that also converts to ammonia as it breaks down in the water. You are probably fine without Amquel or any other ammonia removing agent as long as you do that. In fact I believe those ammonia removers advise to only use in tanks/containers with filtration. At least I know Ammo-Lock does. Some people recommend every other day even for containers less than a gallon but they could probably get by with twice if they aren't overfed and aren't too messy (it can vary from fish to fish).