Hey guys! Okay, so first off, I'm not exactly "brand new" to bettas, I've had a few in the past that I've given all my love to, but I just recently bought 3 off of AquaBid and I want to make sure I'm doing everything as perfectly as possible. I know there is a large portion of betta care that is opinion based, so that's what I would like some help with.
As of right now, I have a lovely little crown tail boy named Cloud that I rescued during my semester at college. Cloud's been with me through thick and thin, and has toughed it out in a cramped dorm room in a too small tank to a now nice sized critter keeper (I think its either a large or an x-large) with a heater and filter and all the hiding spots his little body can get into.
Anyway, as soon as I discovered AquaBid, I immediately began planning for new tanks and new bettas. So, when the time and money came, I ordered a 5 gallon tank kit, adjustable heater, etc, then went to AquaBid to start "browsing." 3 bids later, I was in need of a new tank. One sketchy ebay deal later, I now have a 16 gallon bow tank to pick up on Saturday. Awesome.
Now, I've been doing some serious research (including hardcore note taking) and countless hours just going through post after post and I think I have a pretty decent amount of knowledge stored away. But my problem is that since most of the items you buy for your betta's are opinion-based, I have no idea what the "best" items would be. And on top of that, the cheapest. I'm still a poor college student, and apparently my idea of being frugal is buying 3 bettas on AquaBid and 2 new tanks. Not awesome, but hey, that's life. No regrets.
ANYWAY, I know you betta lovers are some seriously thrifty people and I could really use some help. And I also have some probably noob questions, but whatever.
First, heaters. Best and cheapest, and where to get them? I have 3 hospital tanks that I'm assuming need heaters, especially if I also use them as quarantine tanks(?). My sketchy ebay deal comes with a heater for the 16 gal. but I have some doubts over whether it will actually work or not.
Second, medicine. I've seen some people who make "medicine cabinets" for their bettas, so is there any meds/vitamins/etc. that I should stock up on and have on hand? Or is it more buy-when-needed?
Third, DIY accessories. I know you crafty betta people are out there and I could definitely use any advice you guys have on making your own plants and caves and all that good betta stuff.
Fourth, cycling. Which tanks to cycle and why?
Fifth, real plants. I decided that for now, the only real plants I will get are moss balls, because I don't really have the money for anything else. BUT, in the future I would love to do some planted tanks, so any advice on what plants and where to buy them cheap would be AMAZING.
Sixth, fake plants. I bought some silk plants from Petco, because I read that they are best, but is this true? And what substrate, if any at all, do you prefer?
Well, super long post over. Any help/advice/friendly small talk would be greatly appreciated and I will send virtual cookies and hugs and all my love. Seriously though, you guys are the best, and I can't wait for my 3 new beauties to get here. Oh the life of a fish parent. Cloud sends his love too (and by love I mean his judgmental stare and sassy flaring. He's a little cocky now that's he's out of that god-awful toilet bowl cup and he thinks he's better than me. Watching me eat pizza and judging me. Brat) But any who, yeah, thanks
As of right now, I have a lovely little crown tail boy named Cloud that I rescued during my semester at college. Cloud's been with me through thick and thin, and has toughed it out in a cramped dorm room in a too small tank to a now nice sized critter keeper (I think its either a large or an x-large) with a heater and filter and all the hiding spots his little body can get into.
Anyway, as soon as I discovered AquaBid, I immediately began planning for new tanks and new bettas. So, when the time and money came, I ordered a 5 gallon tank kit, adjustable heater, etc, then went to AquaBid to start "browsing." 3 bids later, I was in need of a new tank. One sketchy ebay deal later, I now have a 16 gallon bow tank to pick up on Saturday. Awesome.
Now, I've been doing some serious research (including hardcore note taking) and countless hours just going through post after post and I think I have a pretty decent amount of knowledge stored away. But my problem is that since most of the items you buy for your betta's are opinion-based, I have no idea what the "best" items would be. And on top of that, the cheapest. I'm still a poor college student, and apparently my idea of being frugal is buying 3 bettas on AquaBid and 2 new tanks. Not awesome, but hey, that's life. No regrets.
ANYWAY, I know you betta lovers are some seriously thrifty people and I could really use some help. And I also have some probably noob questions, but whatever.
First, heaters. Best and cheapest, and where to get them? I have 3 hospital tanks that I'm assuming need heaters, especially if I also use them as quarantine tanks(?). My sketchy ebay deal comes with a heater for the 16 gal. but I have some doubts over whether it will actually work or not.
Second, medicine. I've seen some people who make "medicine cabinets" for their bettas, so is there any meds/vitamins/etc. that I should stock up on and have on hand? Or is it more buy-when-needed?
Third, DIY accessories. I know you crafty betta people are out there and I could definitely use any advice you guys have on making your own plants and caves and all that good betta stuff.
Fourth, cycling. Which tanks to cycle and why?
Fifth, real plants. I decided that for now, the only real plants I will get are moss balls, because I don't really have the money for anything else. BUT, in the future I would love to do some planted tanks, so any advice on what plants and where to buy them cheap would be AMAZING.
Sixth, fake plants. I bought some silk plants from Petco, because I read that they are best, but is this true? And what substrate, if any at all, do you prefer?
Well, super long post over. Any help/advice/friendly small talk would be greatly appreciated and I will send virtual cookies and hugs and all my love. Seriously though, you guys are the best, and I can't wait for my 3 new beauties to get here. Oh the life of a fish parent. Cloud sends his love too (and by love I mean his judgmental stare and sassy flaring. He's a little cocky now that's he's out of that god-awful toilet bowl cup and he thinks he's better than me. Watching me eat pizza and judging me. Brat) But any who, yeah, thanks