People love to have Betta fish in their houses because of their size and color variations. They look very different and fill the house with positive vibes.
For the Betta fish owner, a common question that arises in their mind is, ” Can a Betta fish survive tap water?” No, Betta fish can’t survive in direct tap water. Still, if you condition the tap water, it will be a worthwhile living environment for them.
The main reason they can’t survive in tap water is because of the cleaning process, which makes an unstable and unhealthy environment for the Betta fish.
You should be aware of further information on the use of tap water for Bettas. In this article, you will find every detail about using tap water for Bettas. So please stay on the page and gather more information about it.
Can a Betta Fish Survive Tap Water?
Tap water has various uses in our life, for example, cleaning, cooking, and drinking; we use it in every aspect of living. Even our cats, dogs, and other pets also drink this water.
So the obvious question arises among Betta’s owners, ” Can a Betta fish survive tap water?” The answer is straightforward, “No.”
Though we use tap water widely, this is not safe for your little Bettas as the tap water contains Chlorine and Chloramines.
Chlorine and Chloramines are very harmful to fish as they lead their life in water and breathe into it. Still, these chemicals build a barrier to healthy living.
Reason 1: Chlorine
Chlorine helps to sterilize the tap water, and it prevents bacteria growth and also kills them. This little Chlorine doesn’t affect other animals or us, but it doesn’t; the same goes for Betta fish.
Betta fish are tiny creatures, and they do everything in the water. Though chlorine concentration doesn’t bother us, Betta’s little body can’t take this small amount of Chlorine.
It’s entirely like a bleach bath for them. The toxicity of Chlorine has an impact on their physique from the inside as well as the outside. The concentration of Chlorine in tap water harms their gills and organs. Also, it causes their fluctuations and lack of energy, making them swim less in the water.
Also, Chlorine kills beneficial bacteria, which is very important for Bettas as those bacteria help to do biological filtration in the water.
Reason 2: Chloramines
The toxicity level of Chloramines is more than Chlorine because it releases ammonia into the water.
Chloramines are also used to sterilize tap water. Still, it not only releases ammonia but also remains in the water for a few days, which is a death note for your Bettas.
If your tap water contains high levels of Chloramines, your Bettas will die immediately because of suffocation in the aquarium. As a symptom of suffocation, you may notice that Betta is just swimming here and there or gasping to breathe in the aquarium.
If the levels remain low, then your Bettas will not die immediately. But the low concentration of Chloramines will cause them distress living in the aquarium. After some time, it may cause several problems for your Betta to live, and they could die.
How Long Can a Betta Fish Live in Untreated Tap Water?
If you put your Betta fish in untreated tap water, they can’t live for long because that is something that harms them.
They will feel suffocated because the tap water contains Chlorine, which is very dangerous for them.
For the weak ones, it will take a week or less than one week to kill them. For the other, it may take longer for them to survive in this untreated tap water.
Even if they live into it and look normal to you, it will decrease their general lifespan. They become weak and less active because of this tap water which affects them continuously.
So you never put your Betta in the untreated tap water if you want a healthy life for them.
What Kind of Water Does a Betta Fish Need?
Many of Betta’s owners prefer tap water as it’s easy to get and use. But before using any water, you should know what type of water is safe for your Betta fish.
The perfect kind of water for Bettas contains a proper pH level, gentle temperature, nitrite level, nitrate level, GH, and KH. When the water parameters are perfect, you can put your Betta fish into it.
Before adding water to your Betta fish aquarium, you check out the below facts:
- Bettas can’t live in hard water; for living, they need neutral water. The neutral water contains a pH level between 6.5 to 7.5 highest.
If the pH level is less than 6.5 or greater than 7.5, the water becomes acidic or alkaline, which is harmful to Bettas.
- 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit are considered to be the best range for Betta fish.
- Nitrate concentrations must remain below 20 ppm.
- Nitrite and ammonia concentrations must be below 0.5 ppm. As this hugely affects the water.
- General Hardness ( GH) level should be between 50ppm to 66ppm.
- Carbonate Hardness (KH) affects the water ability, so the reading of KH should not be less than 3dKH.
Before adding tap water into your Bettas aquarium, you must check out those readings as your Betta can’t live in the usual water.
How Do I Make Tap Water Safe for Betta Fish?
Fish owners widely use tap water as it’s a common choice. There are several advantages to giving Betta fish tap water.
Tap water contains minerals and nutrients, which is beneficial for Bettas, but you can’t use direct tap water; you must condition it first.
If you want to use secure tap water for your Betta fish, you must dechlorinate it first. There are a few tactics you can apply to dechlorinate tap water.
1. Leave the Tap Water for 1 Day
You can take the appropriate amount of water in a bowl and leave it for one day. In the daylight, the Chlorine will be vaporized from the water. After that, your tap water is completely safe for your Betta fish.
The tap water is filtered with a small amount of chlorine to make it sterile. In the daylight, this tiny amount also vanishes.
2. UV Sterilizer
A UV sterilizer is also a great device to neutralize Chlorine from the tap water. The UV sterilizer device is mainly used to protect water from harmful things and removes Chlorine from the water.
When you leave your water in a bowl for a day, you can put the UV sterilizer into it to ensure no chlorine is left in the water.
3. Water Boiling Method
This is the easiest and quickest method to dechlorinate the tap water. You don’t need any other tools because the things you need for this already are in your kitchen.
Just boil the water on a stove for 10 to 15 minutes and when you see water bubbles rising, stop the stove and give it some time to cool.
This process will vaporize all the Chlorine from the water, and you will get the purified water within an hour. Don’t forget to cool it because Betta can’t live in high temperatures.
4. Adding Vitamin C
People utilize this strategy a lot, and it is also straightforward. It would be best if you bought any vitamin C tablet or powder and put it in the aquarium water. Wait for some hours to work this out.
A study shows how vitamin C helps to neutralize Chlorine from tap water which is very easy to do. It is not only used for aquarium water but also used in swimming pools or hot tubes.
5. Water Conditioner
A water conditioner is another way to dechlorinate your tap water. You can buy it from any super shops or online shops.
But it’s better not to use water conditioner as it contains other chemicals which can affect your Betta fish. You can use different natural ways to make safe tap water for your tiny Bettas.
If you want to know more or know how to use a water conditioner, I’ve attached a short video for you.
Conclusion
Having Betta fish in your house makes you worried about their safety, and you must wonder, ” Can a Betta fish survive tap water?” No, a Betta fish can’t survive direct tap water because:
- Both chlorine and chloramines can be found in tap water.
- It causes them several organ damage.
- Suffocation.
- Fluctuations.
- Interrupt the biological filtration in the water.
- Decrease their lifespan.
But if you condition the tap water, then it will be the best water for your Betta fish to live.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does tap water need to sit before adding betta fish?
After measuring all the water parameters, you must wait at least 20 minutes.
Before adding your Betta fish into the water, you must check the pH level and temperature of the water. If they are not okay, then adjust it first. Then set your tap water for 15 to 20 minutes. That’s how the Chlorine will be vaporized, and your Betta will get a pleasant home to live in.
2. Can Betta fish live in bottled water after?
Suppose you want bottled water in your aquarium. In that case, you can use it because your Betta is entirely safe with bottled water.
Betta fish can survive in bottled water as long as the water’s parameters are properly maintained. But this kind is expensive for long-term use, so you can use tap water after purifying it for your Betta fish.
3. Can Betta fish live in distilled water?
No, Betta fish are unable to live in distilled water. You should avoid distilled water because it has no minerals, chemicals, or nutrient value.
To live a healthy life, your Betta fish must need minerals and nutrients which they can get from the water. But distilled water is empty of necessary nutrients, making Betta less energetic and lifeless.
4. How often should you clean betta water?
If you have a Betta aquarium, you must clean it regularly.
If your aquarium has plants or other things, It needs to be cleaned once every week. Because having an aquarium with fish and other objects makes the water dirty quickly.
But if there are no other objects in the aquarium and you just have the Betta fish, then you can clean the water twice a month.
5. How long can Betta fish live without a water conditioner?
If you have a better water tank, your Betta fish can live longer than three weeks. But if the water filtration is not much good, it will be hard for Betta to live for more than one week.
Even if your Bettas survive without a water conditioner for a week because of a sound filtration system, that makes them weak, and they will die. So, having a water conditioner in your Bettas tank is better.
