New Betta Owner - First time Aquarium

[BettaQi]

Originally Posted by JackisLost

to do quick water changes at work, i think you should try this method.
get about 2 feet of air line hose, cut two small holes in a gatorade bottle, stick the tube in one hole. squeeze the bottle and cover place thumb over 2nd hole to start a siphon. make sure the bottle is lower than the tank.
you don't have to remove the fish but you can't do 100% water changes, maybe 90% but that should be enough.
i usually do this method but with a 1gallon water bottle

Yay for this helpful tip!

Just made one! Woo hoo!

[XizorGetspeed]

okay so I ended up picking up the marineland crescent 3 tank with the whisper filter. I picked up a bag of gravel and petsmart gave me a couple gallons of their aquarium water to get me started (they pulled it from a tank of live plants for sale).

Although it looks very empty and bare... it'd like to decorate it some.

suggestions?

live plants or plastic?

i read that bettas like to hide, what do you suggest for that?

so now with this tank (and its whisper filter) do I need to do 100% cycles? I'm pretty sure no (which is one of the reasons I got this). any suggestions on monitoring water levels and what they should be?

thanks in advance again...

[XizorGetspeed]

oh and regarding a heater, you guys recommend I get this one?
http://www.amazon.com/Hydor-THEO-Sub...pr_product_top

petsmart doesn't seem to carry this brand. they have marina and top fin brands
I can check other stores if this one is highly recommended.

[Dellilah]

I wouldn't go with the petsmart brand (top fin) my husband had problems with his. Essentially if we want to use it we would have to babysit it b/c it doesn't always shut off at temperature. I'm still new to keeping aquariums, so I don't have any recommendations about a good heater, just that this one is bad.

[thekoimaiden]

You are correct in thinking you won't have to cycle the tank. Just do two water changes a week.

For decorating suggestions, I always go with live plant. I love the look, and I don't have to worry about them tearing my fish's fins. But of course it does add another element of taking care of the plants. You can find some really nice silk ones that have almost the same look without the hassle of the added care. Other than that caves seem to be favored by male bettas. Avoid anything with a sharp edge.

I like the Hydor THEO heaters and have a few (including that one) in my tanks both large and small. Amazon and Ebay are going to give you the best prices for them.

[XizorGetspeed]

Okay, will place an order for the Hydor heater.

What about water testing? Any recommendations on products and how and how often to check? And what am I checking?

[Perseusmom]

You need the API Freshwater Master Kit and you are checking the pH of you water, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite levels. I would check your tanks water as soon as you get one and then report back and let someone help you from there.

[XizorGetspeed]

Originally Posted by thekoimaiden

You are correct in thinking you won't have to cycle the tank. Just do two water changes a week.

and when you say two water changes, are we talking 50%, 25%, 100%?

Originally Posted by thekoimaiden

For decorating suggestions, I always go with live plant. I love the look, and I don't have to worry about them tearing my fish's fins. But of course it does add another element of taking care of the plants.

say more about live plants. What is the added care? I'm under the impression that having live plants will maintain water quality better and thus less water changes?

thanks

[LebronTheBetta]

Yes, 1 50% and 1 100% per week. That's a great schedule.

There are like Moss Balls, Java Fern, Java Moss, Anubis, etc. These are the most easiest to take care of. ^^"

[XizorGetspeed]

in terms of taking care, what exactly does that mean. i.e. do i need to trim them down? monitor different water levels for the plants? worry about lighting? special additives in the water?