10/24/2013: The First Day.
So... I live alone, in a 480 square foot apartment. The boyfriend comes in most weekends, but otherwise, it's me and whoever is on the other side of the computer screen while I do homework. I bought two plants at the beginning of the year, and while they make the air feel awesome in such a small space... plants are obviously not interactive (this does not stop me from talking to Anatolius and Anita). I threw around the idea of a pet last year too, but none seemed like a right fit. I went through a period where I thought I was going to end up with a hermit crab, but the molting period would've ruined me, and I was very scared I would screw up the saltwater and freshwater and anyways... lots of stress factors.
Bettas popped up, and slowly I came around. Getting off my experience with goldfish as a child was not easy... I'm generally squeamish about the whole 'capture the fish in a net, scoop it out, clean tank once a week' thing. The net capture always felt traumatic for me and for my fish. Betta care seemed almost too good to be true, and I immediately liked the idea of a siphon system for water changes.
The next issue was money. I take 16 credits a semester and intern, and thus have no time for a job if I want to remotely keep up with the homework and, you know, being able to sleep and breathe and stick my head out of this apartment for more than classes. And while yes, I did just spend $45, I feel it very worthwhile, and I know that my monthly expenses will equal out to not much in the long run (Hello, economics major here, pleasure to meet you).
So, I went to the local pet store, Preuss Pets. First off, fantastic place, lots of animals, all very chatty/active/interested in people. The freshwater fish associates were awesome to talk with, and both were very pleased that I ended up taking the words right out of their mouths about betta care, along with addressing some more complex issues of recommended tank size versus internet recommended tank size, nitrates and cycling water, etc. (Let it be known I do nothing without copious amounts of research). Feeling comfortable in the environment, it was time to go ahead and figure out what was going on and who was coming home with me.
I admit slight guilt (and pressure) about tank size. Tycho is living in a one gallon tank right now, so I mount my present defense. The tank I got came as a full set up, with beta friendly plastic plants (for hiding and relaxing in; he already has a favorite in the corner), the gravel, and a small decoration in it. With that set up, you got half off the fish as well. If the two gallon tank I had my goldfish in still exists in my house at home (it might not; Dad is purging in preparations for selling), I plan on hauling it back here, and likely in some timely manner, upgrading Tycho's tank. If it does not, well... poor college student, and I do intend on a tank upgrade once I get a full time job out of school. Also, again, in a 480 square foot apartment, the counter space is only kind of adequate at best, and room for spacious digs, I have not.
My apartment is heated by an old steam system. This means that even when the heat is not on, the residual heat is on. In fact, I'm having trouble keeping the apartment cool enough when I want it cool. I have a small thermometer sticking on the back of the tank that reads a pleasant 76 degree water temperature. So at the moment, I'm going heater-less (also, the budget thing).
With the siphon system, I plan to do a 50% water change once a week. That is adjustable to more if needed, though never less, this I vow.
Now, onto Tycho himself. I let him pick me (I always let things, or in this case, the fish, pick me). He flared up when I gently held a finger up to his container to see how he reacted, then he followed my finger around attentively. He was the only fish to do so, instead of continued flaring. This is cool with me, I'm okay with a slightly more mellow male. He really stole my heart when he blew a bubble for me though. He came from the store-bred/imported section of the store, so he was on the more pricey side (even with the half off discount because of the tank), but he's a real beauty.
He's a delta tailed dumbo betta. I'm on the struggle bus when it comes to describing his coloration. He's an evenly patterned mottled cream and dull red on the body, with dull red leading out to the creamy color on the fins, but when he catches light, all of it shines a beautiful Aurora Borealis-esque green. He's very understated, until he's breathtaking. If anyone has a clue what color combination that could be described as, I would love to know, so go ahead and drop me a PM.
I swore the whole way home, because even though I buckled him in, PT Cruiser suspension plus Lansing roads = almost like offroading. The bag-to-tank transfer was a little nerve wracking too, as he followed slightly behind the water in the bag (AUGH!), but I sat there and watched him wander around the tank for a good ten minutes before I dared take eyes off of him, just to make sure he was feeling okay.
He's an active little bugger! Occasionally he'll stop and rest, go almost completely still for a couple of minutes (he already has a favorite spot down at the base of one of the plants), but for the most part, he's cruising about at a relaxing pace, occasionally doing a wriggle and dart across the way.
I wanted to make sure he got the perfect name to suit him and his personality, so I spent two hours reading off names to him, while watching him swim around and react to what I was saying. Tycho was not a choice by me; it was a choice by us. He darted about quite happily to Tycho, and I appreciate the way it sounds, and how it suits him. It's regal enough for his breathtaking understated good looks and charm, and still feisty enough for... well, him.
Now, I feel I've rambled long enough. Throwing a picture up. Here's to a happy and healthy betta partnership, Tycho! I love you.
So... I live alone, in a 480 square foot apartment. The boyfriend comes in most weekends, but otherwise, it's me and whoever is on the other side of the computer screen while I do homework. I bought two plants at the beginning of the year, and while they make the air feel awesome in such a small space... plants are obviously not interactive (this does not stop me from talking to Anatolius and Anita). I threw around the idea of a pet last year too, but none seemed like a right fit. I went through a period where I thought I was going to end up with a hermit crab, but the molting period would've ruined me, and I was very scared I would screw up the saltwater and freshwater and anyways... lots of stress factors.
Bettas popped up, and slowly I came around. Getting off my experience with goldfish as a child was not easy... I'm generally squeamish about the whole 'capture the fish in a net, scoop it out, clean tank once a week' thing. The net capture always felt traumatic for me and for my fish. Betta care seemed almost too good to be true, and I immediately liked the idea of a siphon system for water changes.
The next issue was money. I take 16 credits a semester and intern, and thus have no time for a job if I want to remotely keep up with the homework and, you know, being able to sleep and breathe and stick my head out of this apartment for more than classes. And while yes, I did just spend $45, I feel it very worthwhile, and I know that my monthly expenses will equal out to not much in the long run (Hello, economics major here, pleasure to meet you).
So, I went to the local pet store, Preuss Pets. First off, fantastic place, lots of animals, all very chatty/active/interested in people. The freshwater fish associates were awesome to talk with, and both were very pleased that I ended up taking the words right out of their mouths about betta care, along with addressing some more complex issues of recommended tank size versus internet recommended tank size, nitrates and cycling water, etc. (Let it be known I do nothing without copious amounts of research). Feeling comfortable in the environment, it was time to go ahead and figure out what was going on and who was coming home with me.
I admit slight guilt (and pressure) about tank size. Tycho is living in a one gallon tank right now, so I mount my present defense. The tank I got came as a full set up, with beta friendly plastic plants (for hiding and relaxing in; he already has a favorite in the corner), the gravel, and a small decoration in it. With that set up, you got half off the fish as well. If the two gallon tank I had my goldfish in still exists in my house at home (it might not; Dad is purging in preparations for selling), I plan on hauling it back here, and likely in some timely manner, upgrading Tycho's tank. If it does not, well... poor college student, and I do intend on a tank upgrade once I get a full time job out of school. Also, again, in a 480 square foot apartment, the counter space is only kind of adequate at best, and room for spacious digs, I have not.
My apartment is heated by an old steam system. This means that even when the heat is not on, the residual heat is on. In fact, I'm having trouble keeping the apartment cool enough when I want it cool. I have a small thermometer sticking on the back of the tank that reads a pleasant 76 degree water temperature. So at the moment, I'm going heater-less (also, the budget thing).
With the siphon system, I plan to do a 50% water change once a week. That is adjustable to more if needed, though never less, this I vow.
Now, onto Tycho himself. I let him pick me (I always let things, or in this case, the fish, pick me). He flared up when I gently held a finger up to his container to see how he reacted, then he followed my finger around attentively. He was the only fish to do so, instead of continued flaring. This is cool with me, I'm okay with a slightly more mellow male. He really stole my heart when he blew a bubble for me though. He came from the store-bred/imported section of the store, so he was on the more pricey side (even with the half off discount because of the tank), but he's a real beauty.
He's a delta tailed dumbo betta. I'm on the struggle bus when it comes to describing his coloration. He's an evenly patterned mottled cream and dull red on the body, with dull red leading out to the creamy color on the fins, but when he catches light, all of it shines a beautiful Aurora Borealis-esque green. He's very understated, until he's breathtaking. If anyone has a clue what color combination that could be described as, I would love to know, so go ahead and drop me a PM.
I swore the whole way home, because even though I buckled him in, PT Cruiser suspension plus Lansing roads = almost like offroading. The bag-to-tank transfer was a little nerve wracking too, as he followed slightly behind the water in the bag (AUGH!), but I sat there and watched him wander around the tank for a good ten minutes before I dared take eyes off of him, just to make sure he was feeling okay.
He's an active little bugger! Occasionally he'll stop and rest, go almost completely still for a couple of minutes (he already has a favorite spot down at the base of one of the plants), but for the most part, he's cruising about at a relaxing pace, occasionally doing a wriggle and dart across the way.
I wanted to make sure he got the perfect name to suit him and his personality, so I spent two hours reading off names to him, while watching him swim around and react to what I was saying. Tycho was not a choice by me; it was a choice by us. He darted about quite happily to Tycho, and I appreciate the way it sounds, and how it suits him. It's regal enough for his breathtaking understated good looks and charm, and still feisty enough for... well, him.
Now, I feel I've rambled long enough. Throwing a picture up. Here's to a happy and healthy betta partnership, Tycho! I love you.