Greetings,
I'm new to care taking for Bettas, and was hoping this experienced and knowledgable community would be as so kind as to give me a critique in regards to my current care and future considerations.
I'm afraid I don't have a lot to offer yet in regards to contributing to the community (I only have experience raising fancy rats and large dogs) but in time I hope to give back.
Betta
I have one half-moon, mostly black Betta male. His name is Luna, and I've had him for nearly two weeks now. He was purchased from Petsmart and seems a bit smaller than the other Bettas on display (still young, maybe?) He's active, has a healthy appetite, constantly looking outside the tank, has built a bubble nest.
Current Tank Set Up
I wasn't intending on buying a Betta when I went to the store, so his current set up is rather minimum. Here are his current specs:
Maintenance
As I don't have a lot of experience with Bettas, I bought a book and read through it. From talking to others in the group, I've discovered that putting a half a tsp of salt in the water is a no-no, despite the book claiming that they have a reasonable salt tolerance. This is part of what's prompt me to get this critique.
Here's the current care regiment:
Future Plans
I'm interested in investing in a filtered, 5 to 5.5 gallon aquarium for my next paycheck. Here are the tanks I've been considering:
http://www.petco.com/product/12788/...pse Hex 5 Fully Integrated Aquarium Kit-12788
or
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11459461&f=PAD/psNotAvailInUS/No
And, although expensive, I hear nothing but rave reviews about this particular heater:
http://www.petco.com/product/113622...aters.aspx?CoreCat=RecentlyViewed-_-Product_1
I have no idea what to look for as far as filters; I'm hoping the filters that come with the two kits listed above will suffice. I'm also going to be doing some research in regards to plants. My little fish enjoys hanging out above his heater like a perch, so I'm also thinking about buying him one of these for the bigger tank:
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3956162&lmdn=SHOP+FOR&f=PAD/psNotAvailInUS/No
Thank you all for your time and feedback, I really appreciate it!
I'm new to care taking for Bettas, and was hoping this experienced and knowledgable community would be as so kind as to give me a critique in regards to my current care and future considerations.
I'm afraid I don't have a lot to offer yet in regards to contributing to the community (I only have experience raising fancy rats and large dogs) but in time I hope to give back.
Betta
I have one half-moon, mostly black Betta male. His name is Luna, and I've had him for nearly two weeks now. He was purchased from Petsmart and seems a bit smaller than the other Bettas on display (still young, maybe?) He's active, has a healthy appetite, constantly looking outside the tank, has built a bubble nest.
Current Tank Set Up
I wasn't intending on buying a Betta when I went to the store, so his current set up is rather minimum. Here are his current specs:
- 1 gallon desktop tank
- No filter
- Marina C10 Submersible Aquarium Heater (10 W, heats up to 2.5 gallons)
- Stays within a temperature range of 74-78 degrees.
- White gravel substrate
- 1 hammock leaf
- 2 live moss balls (was one, but broke off into two)
- Adhesive thermometer
Maintenance
As I don't have a lot of experience with Bettas, I bought a book and read through it. From talking to others in the group, I've discovered that putting a half a tsp of salt in the water is a no-no, despite the book claiming that they have a reasonable salt tolerance. This is part of what's prompt me to get this critique.
Here's the current care regiment:
- He gets 50% to 60% water change every week with the gravel vac pictured below
- I get a gallon filled with conditioned water every two weeks from the petstore, that's what I use as oppose to water conditioner
- I use a glass thermometer to make sure that the water is a good temperature before the change
- He gets fed roughly 3 times a day; one to two flakes or blood worms each feeding
Future Plans
I'm interested in investing in a filtered, 5 to 5.5 gallon aquarium for my next paycheck. Here are the tanks I've been considering:
http://www.petco.com/product/12788/...pse Hex 5 Fully Integrated Aquarium Kit-12788
or
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11459461&f=PAD/psNotAvailInUS/No
And, although expensive, I hear nothing but rave reviews about this particular heater:
http://www.petco.com/product/113622...aters.aspx?CoreCat=RecentlyViewed-_-Product_1
I have no idea what to look for as far as filters; I'm hoping the filters that come with the two kits listed above will suffice. I'm also going to be doing some research in regards to plants. My little fish enjoys hanging out above his heater like a perch, so I'm also thinking about buying him one of these for the bigger tank:
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3956162&lmdn=SHOP+FOR&f=PAD/psNotAvailInUS/No
Thank you all for your time and feedback, I really appreciate it!