What are somethings you can't live without? Stuff like Aquarium Salt, Tap Water Conditioner, etc. What types of medicines would you keep on hand at all times? I am just really curious.
Aquarium Salt
Water conditioner (Prime)
Siphon
Bucket
Net
Container for fishes
Sponges (for filter)
That's about it that I can think of. I don't have any meds on hand. I would probably say Maracyn 1 and Maracyn 2 would be nice to have on hand, but it's not for serious stuff, i believe?
Prime
Aquarium salt
Test Kit (API Freshwater Master)
Hospital/QT tank
Spare heater
spare thermometer
food
open pore sponge
rubber bands
panty hose
bucket
air tubing
Water Conditioner
Test Kit
Aquarium Salt
Bucket
Gravel Vac
Quarantine tank
Food
Heavy Ceramic Statues
That last item is to weigh down the lid on the filter, otherwise my cat will remove the lid and drink my tank water and inevitably leave her hair in the filter.
Everyone seems to have covered most things... I also like to have a strainer on hand. Very useful for rinsing substrate, not to mention catching all the crud and debris when I pour my old water down the bathtub drain.
And now for some other random items I use all the time:
-A pipette. Basically its like a mini turkey baster. Very handy for feeding live/frozen foods, not to mention taking water samples (I can NEVER get exactly 5 mL by dipping the test tube into the tank). I have gotten them from pet stores but technically they are for use in microscopy (for putting water onto a slide).
-A baby syringe. Very handy for measuring meds, ferts or water treatments when your tank is so small that you are measuring water additives in mL. You can get them at drug stores... personally I get mine from the vet as its what they send my dog's dewormer home in.
-A slurpee straw. You know the ones with a pseudo-spoon at one end? I love them for scooping out uneaten food without getting my hands wet.
-A plastic cup. Either disposable or a cheap plastic cup meant for patio use. I use it to keep my net, pipette, syringe and slurpee straw in
Ha, I almost added this to mine. Yesterday I spilt a bag of water on my desk which flooded everywhere. Luckily, I always keep a designated fish towel nearby and was able to handle it.
Haha thanks guys, I'm glad I'm not the only one. I use so many towels when I do water changes my mom just gives me this look everytime I bring them upstairs to be washed! haha
I have a fish towel.. but I make so much of a mess its hardly ever dry and I have to use my bath towels LOL.. and my roommate wonders why I have to borrow one of her bath towels to shower so often haha.
I forgot fish towels because I don't keep it in my fish box and thats what I glanced in when I posted.
I use sponges to scrub my tanks/heaters/filters and to use as buffers. Rubberbands are to hold sponges/pantyhose closed if I am using it as a buffer. And for keeping bags of stuff closed like aquarium salt, unused gravel, etc.
IMO 1-2 gallon tanks are a good size. Right now my rescues are all in 1 gallon tanks save on who is in a 2 gallon. 2 gallons are nice because you can put an adjustable heater in them without worrying... but one gallons are really easy to change the water out.
Bear in mind that for a tank you are going to be measuring medicine into, smaller sizes are not always practical... of course you don't want to be treating 20g worth of water for 1 betta. That would add up money-wise. But in the same breath, lord help you if you ever find yourself having to divvy up a packet of maracyn powder into 1g portions.
Of course most powder antibiotics can be diluted with water and kept in the fridge but I would never advise refridgerating antibiotics for more than a few days.
Ugh. When I rationed the Maracyn out some months ago for a treatment for Roy Cherry I nearly went insane. I ended up doing it on my desk with a credit card. Made some crack lines, etc.
Not advised, but of course, there are alternative medications and tanks.
Ugh. When I rationed the Maracyn out some months ago for a treatment for Roy Cherry I nearly went insane. I ended up doing it on my desk with a credit card. Made some crack lines, etc.
Not advised, but of course, there are alternative medications and tanks.
LOL! Same here! Good thing my parents didn't walk in or I don't know if they'd accept my explaination.
Worst of all was bringing home Levimasole (sold under the table in Canada) in little ziplock baggies... ON public transit, during the Winter Olympics when security was high. Did you know levimasole is one of the most common 'fillers' mixed in with cocaine? :shock: Had I been searched I wouldna been in custody until the lab results came back!
Unfortunately most antibiotics are sold in powder form to increase their shelf life.
Alternative medicines like healthy water changes. Always the first step! Of course we all probably will use medicine at one point. Maracyn 1 is probably the only one I've ever used.
Like what would I say if a security guard asked to take a look in my purse?
'Oh those... that's umm... dewormer medicine for my pet fish... well actually I was aware that levimasole isn't sold in Canada... I got it from a friend who brought it up from the U.S. I have the reciept!!!'
'Oh those... that's umm... dewormer medicine for my pet fish... well actually I was aware that levimasole isn't sold in Canada... I got it from a friend who brought it up from the U.S. I have the reciept!!!'
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Betta Fish Forum
1.8M posts
105.7K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to Betta fish owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeds, health, behavior, tanks, care, classifieds, and more!