Can Betta fish live in tap water is a frequently asked question. In some cases, Bettas can survive for a while, but not long and only if the water is conditioned. Some people tend to use spring water or distilled water which is not a good choice but also most owners go with tap water because it is always available and the cheapest. It also contains some minerals and nutrients that Bettas need in order to thrive. On the other hand, tap water contains chemicals such as chlorine that kills bacteria and makes water safe for us humans, but it can harm your Betta’s health drastically.
In general, Bettas are easy fish to take care of as long as you provide certain conditions. We will point out ideal water parameters for Bettas. As long as you stick to this no trouble will arise. The water temperature range is rather wide and they can handle from 75 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. This doesn’t mean that Bettas will tolerate sudden jumps in temperature. Sudden water temperature changes are bad for Bettas and cause stress so do avoid them.
As for he water quality, the level of nitrite and ammonia should be 0ppm, nitrates from 10 to 20 ppm, GH 3 to 4 dGH, KH 3 to 5 dKH and the PH of the water can be from 6.5 to 7.5. If you hold to these parameters your Betta will most certainly enjoy at least in therms of water quality.
In this article:
How To Use Tap Water in A Betta Fish Aquarium
When the time comes to preparing water for your newly arranged tank or doing a water change, you need to be well informed before you do it. Water is everything for your pet. It needs to be well prepared before you let your Betta in. Before you do that read this through and check what are the elements you need to eliminate from the tap water before you let your Betta swim in it.
Chlorine and chloramine are almost always present in your water because they work as an oxidizer to the water but they can severely harm a Betta and even kill it. It is very easy to remove them with a water conditioner. It contains de-chlorinators that neutralize these chemicals.
These water conditioners are the fastest and safest solutions for you and we recommend the top five of our choice. Our number one is Seachem Prime because it does the best work when it comes to detoxifying ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and de-chlorinates the water. The great choice is also API Stress Coat Water Conditioner, Seachem Betta Basics, Tetra AquaSafe for Betta’s and API Betta water conditioner.
Each of these is a great choice and they are not expensive. They are easily available, easy to use, they last long and do a great job. You will have the water ready in no time, just follow the set of instructions and guidelines set by the manufacturer. It will remove all the chemical compounds and make the water completely safe for your Betta pet.
How to make tap water safe for fish without a conditioner?
There are many ways you can make tap water safe for your Betta without using a conditioner. Some people are using UV light or vitamin C treatment to make the water safe for their Bettas, they boil the water or perhaps reverse the osmosis system but all of this sounds a bit complicated. Doesn`t it?
The easiest and cheapest way is to just let the water sit for 24 to 48 hours and it becomes safe without any special effort.
Another magical thing is an activated carbon filter that is well known for absorbing all the chemicals while the water passes through the filter and letting out chemical-free water. These filters can cost a bit more but if you are ready to spend some money to be completely safe, you should go with it.
You probably remember that babies are given boiled water and it could also be a choice to do when preparing the water for the tank. It is easy, cheap and it takes only a little time. The boiling process and the heat will make chlorine evaporate. You only need the patience to cool the water down to an acceptable temperature for your Betta.
The treatment with vitamin C can also be a solution to the problem. Using a lemon or vinegar is not the key but using ascorbic acid will remove chlorine and chloramine. You need to buy the one especially used for tanks and use one teaspoon per gallon of water. Before pouring into the tank, you need to test the PH level.
UV sterilizers can be a good choice and they are not even that expensive. You bomb the tap water with UV rays and the chlorine is removed after a while. This works the same as sunlight and heat.
How long does it take for tap water to be safe for Betta fish?
In most cases, it takes 24 hours. After that, it is considered for tap water to be safe for your Betta. Fill a bucket of tap water and let it sit for 24 hours. Occasionally you can stir it. After a day it is safe. Sometimes after 20 minutes in the sunlight, harmful elements like chlorine are eliminated but the presence of another chemicals is still possible.
Is tap water conditioner safe for Betta fish?
Some people are asking if it is safe to use a water conditioner. And our answer is yes. There are plenty of conditioners on the market that are inexpensive and of high quality and are safe for your Betta. You just need to choose the right one that will prepare the water, eliminate toxic matters before you let your Betta swim.
Final Thoughts
Now when you know all these things – do not add your Betta to the tank straight away. Be patient and wait at least 24 hours before you do that. We point out two main reasons why you should wait for a while:
The first is to allow chlorine that is already in the water to evaporate. It is good if you use water conditioners because they will remove chlorine, heavy metals and chloramine from the water. That way your Betta will be safe when you add it to the tank.
The second reason is that those 24 hours allow outgas of any nitrogen. Those small bubbles that you notice are formed by saturating with nitrogen and are stuck on the side of the glass. They will dissipate after some time and it will be completely safe for your Betta to enjoy new, clean water.
If you haven’t got the time to prepare the water in an old-fashioned way, use a water conditioner. We have presented the top five that you can use for your Betta and they are cheap, easy to purchase and completely safe.
And remember – the water should be free of all toxic elements, change a third of the water once a week, provide a good filter, if possible, with active carbon, keep the water at proper parameters (PH, nitrates, nitrites, ammonia) and within the preferable temperature range and your Betta will be just fine.