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Product favorites!

4K views 34 replies 17 participants last post by  katydidmischief 
#1 · (Edited)
Many people on the forum are on the lookout for products that are reccomended by us betta keepers. I think this thread would be a good way to share our opinions on different products and what we reccomend. Feel free to post below the products you reccomend, if possible put it in the format shown below (name, link, pros, cons). Here are some of my favorites. What are yours? :-D


1. ViaAqua 50-Watt Quartz Glass Submersible Heater with Built-In Thermostat http://www.amazon.com/ViaAqua-50-Watt-Submersible-Built-In-Thermostat/dp/B005440HLO
Pros: Cheap price, works great, adjustable & thermostat feature keep tank at desired temperature.
Cons: Makes a quiet clicking sound when turning on/off, made of glass and therefore must be handled with care.


2. AquaCulture 10 gallon aquarium starter kit http://www.walmart.com/ip/Aquaculture-Starter-Kit-10-Home-Aquarium-1-ct/10312734
Pros: In store price of $30- afforable, includes tank, filter, hood with light.
Cons: Filter might need baffled & intake should be blocked to prevent injury to betta.


3. Aqua Culture Regular Gravel Vacuum Cleaner http://www.walmart.com/ip/Aqua-Culture-Gravel-Regular-Vacuum-Cleaner/13424303
Pros: Easy to use once you get the hang of it, does not require using your mouth like some siphons do.
Cons: May be too small for some tanks. (I use it in a 10 gallon tank, it will work for smaller tanks as well)

4. New Life spectrum betta fish pellets http://www.amazon.com/New-Life-Spectrum-Betta-Formula/dp/B0038JTL1Y (also available at petco)
Pros: Healthy ingredients label- first ingredients are meat/protein source, good size for bettas, easy to portion out since they are equally sized pellets.
Cons: A little bit smelly.

5. API Freshwater master liquid test kit http://www.amazon.com/API-FRESHWATER-MASTER-TEST-KIT/dp/B000255NCI
Pros: Accurate results since it is a liquid test kit
Cons: Takes longer to test than using test strips
 
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#3 · (Edited)
While I like NLS betta fish pellets, my con is that they sink too fast. I prefer foods that float like Atison's Pro :':)cry:
I recommend the Betta Log sold at PetSmart.
Pros: The bettas love resting/hiding in it. Has a hole in the top for breathing and feeding.
Cons: In time the color may wash off.
 
#4 ·
This is great Teeney. :) We can also discuss items that don't work and are a piece of crap. I recommend these items:

Hydor THEO heater - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hydor-THEO-...87?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25727bf34b#
Pros- Heats to your desirable temperature, adjustable, shock-proof.
Cons- Not much really, may take a while to heat the tank, give it 24 hrs.
Top Fin Gravel Vacuum - http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11123493&lmdn=Product+Type
Pros- Siphons water by itself after pinching the suction ball a few times, no need to suck out water and risking fish poo in your mouth.
Cons- Doesn't really siphon to gravel but takes out the waste.
Jardin Sponge Filter - http://www.amazon.com/Jardin-Aquari...&qid=1345835603&sr=8-4&keywords=sponge+filter
Pros- Doesn't suck up fish, provides mechanical and biological filtration. And great for tanks 3 gallons and above.
Cons- Maybe a bit strong but you can buy an airline valve, needs air pump and tubing, took 2 tries to bring it down to the substrate.

Sorry if I took your way of the thread, Teeney. 8P But I recommend all the items listed above.
 
#5 ·
No problem LTB, the thread is for opinions! You're free to reccomend any products you'd like!
 
#7 ·
Zoo Med Floating Betta log
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3956162
Pros: Bettas like it, has hole in top to allow surface breathing
Cons: Paint chips off

I've had this log for4 months and I just threw it away a few days ago. The paint chipping was driving me crazy! This is what it looked like.. The grey area is where the paint chipped off. :roll:

 
#8 ·
My bettas that have them love the Zoomed logs too! They used to be .... I forget either $9.99 or $11.99 but when I got the most recent one it was down to $5.99.
 
#9 ·
Maybe the price drop is because the paint wears off and yes it did on mine too It was and aweful mess when it first happened and thankful I had a gravel vac to clean it up with. I didnt throw mine away since Perseus really enjoys it but I take it out once in awhile to make sure no more paint is coming off and it hasnt since that first time after having it in his tank for a month and its been 2 months since then.
 
#10 ·
Maybe the price drop is because the paint wears off and yes it did on mine too It was and aweful mess when it first happened and thankful I had a gravel vac to clean it up with. I didnt throw mine away since Perseus really enjoys it but I take it out once in awhile to make sure no more paint is coming off and it hasnt since that first time after having it in his tank for a month and its been 2 months since then.
Aww yeah I felt bad taking it out but it was making a mess and it was so ugly. lol. im looking into too if theres a homemade alternative... If i cnat find something that floats, I can just use suction cups ;)
 
#11 ·
Really like these:

Elite Submersible Preset Heater Mini 25W
- I use this in all my smaller tanks, it's adjustable which is great. Should be paired with a thermometer.

BiOrb plants
- These nifty plants sit on weighted spheres so even if you don't have them buried in substrate they stay upright but don't float. They are pricey but their quality is better than cheaper brands.

Jardin Silicone Aquarium Fish Tank Sea Anemone Ornament
- My bettas LOVE these, my big halfmoon boy stuffs himself in between the tentacles to sleep. It's hilarious.

Topfin Aquarium Gravel in River Rock
- WAY better than their other types of gravel! The stones are smooth and I've noticed they give off less dust after an initial cleaning than other types at the same price. They're also not coated in weird synthetic colorant crap.

API Freshwater Master Test Kit
- Has everything you need to test your aquarium, super easy to follow instructions that even a beginner can understand perfectly well.

Seachem Prime Water Conditioner
- The best water conditioner on the market!

Seachem Flourish Plant Fertilizer
- I don't have a substrate in my planted tank, just gravel, and my plants are thriving thanks to this stuff.

Seachem Clarity
- This stuff is fantastic for a cloudy tank. Just be aware that while it will fix cloudiness, it won't fix the underlying problem making the tank cloudy to begin with. It should not be used in place of water changes!

Grindal Worms
- This is a live food that is super low maintenance, you can find a culture online. Live foods provide the best benefits for fish. Grindal worms are small enough to feed to juvenile fry and adults like them too.
 
#15 ·
i have noticed lately when i drop my omega one shrimp pellets my bettas love them and don't really care that they have to chase them to the bottom of the tank. i looked at the ingredients and it looks like a good list.

any opinions on that? is it bad(i have only had bettas for about 6 weeks)
 
#16 ·
The ingredients list doesn't look bad; but it has a lower protein level and some other different % than the betta formula. I would say its not exactly bad but try to avoid letting them eat the pellets- could you cup the bettas while feeding the shrimp?

I would try to avoid letting them eat the pellets and focus on them eating betta food ;)
 
#20 · (Edited)
This is a silk plant that I do reccomend, my fishy's love the leaves on this

http://www.petco.com/product/119026/Petco-Red-Fire-Silk-Aquarium-Plant.aspx







Pro's - big leaves great for resting on, and sleeping in, fills in a lot of emptiness in tanks.

Cons Only for big tanks, unless trimmed, they pull off easily so they won't stick out, after being in the water for a while they change some color, but still looks good.
 
#29 ·
I'm glad you guys are finding it helpful! And I appreciate all the contributions!!
 
#32 ·
The betta hammocks you get at the store are cool!
Pros: Bettas like to rest on them, easy to put on.
Cons: You have to keep lowering the leaf almost every day, otherwise you might end up with a 'beached' betta! The stem of the leaf is metal... So it rusts, making you get a new one every couple of months. OH! And if you have a filter the current might push your betta off the leaf.
 
#34 ·
I was going to get this until I read a couple of reviews
Jardin Silicone Aquarium Fish Tank Sea Anemone Ornament

they said the color comes off in the water which can kill your fish.....actually the comment made was "will kill your fish"...............one other comment was the silicone falls apart....

Has anyone had this decoration for any length of time?
I would love to find some Betta toys.
I float one of my smaller thermometers in the water and my buddy pokes that around....he is fun to watch...
Do you think the plastic on the ping pong ball is toxic? if not, I might try that...
 
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