So, we are learning so much about caring for our lovely betta. We did a TON of research in the past few days since we noticed Sutro's fins looking ragged. I got some advice from myaquariumclub.com!

It turns out our tap water is awfully high on alkaline. So we are using purified water now. We have even started daily water changes just to be sure that his water is free of yuck. Hubby got Sutro a bunch of stuff to help us take better care of him.

We double checked our readings and saw nitrates were present but under 20. Still getting the hang of reading these test strips. We immediately put in his new filter and did another small water change. We bought a test tube ph check as well as an electronic ph tester to reassure. We got some new ammonia test strips as well. Everything looks ok as far as those tests. No ammonia, nitrate is kinda low but present. Bummer about our tap water being a high ph level, but even our ph is at 7.12 now. Also the tank seems a little cloudy but I’m assuming that’s okay?

Other than our water parameters being more what we want to see, Sutro is still swimming around and I saw him flare a couple times! He lounges on his plants and today we fed him a little tiny piece of freeze dried mysis shrimp along with a couple pellets.

I hope we are doing okay.