Kate & the Fishface

[katydidmischief]

I'm such a sucker for an impossible case, so, erm... Say hi to Fawkes.

[teeneythebetta]

Omg! D':
Poor baby!!

[katydidmischief]

He's looking a touch better today, Teeney--the red is coming in on his fins--so fingers and toes crossed!

Michael blew his first bubble nest today! I may have done a little dance when I saw it.

[katydidmischief]

Alas, Fawkes didn't make it. Poor guy was warm at least, and had food and plants to hide in.

After Fawkes passed away, I went to Petco to pick up a few plants to add to the tank for Michael and though I told myself I shouldn't, I looked at the bettas. I went back and forth over a red and gold halfmoon, a blue delta tail, and a red veil tail until I decided that the red guy was totally mine--so spry and full of life--and I fell. (I'm such a sucker for a pretty face.) I waited a few days to name him and decided on Milton Dolce; he settled into the QT without an issue, ate and was merry.

Woke up this morning and tested the water since my ammonia alarm was alerting me. It was too high so I did a 50% change at 5:30 this morning and it's back where it's supposed to be.

[teeneythebetta]

Awe I'm so sorry for your loss :(

Your new boy is a cutie!

[katydidmischief]

Thank you, Teeney. I'd known it was a low chance I could bring Fawkes around, but I'd really hoped he'd make it. I miss him.

He really is and man, is he energetic! He darts everywhere.

[katydidmischief]

It's not fish-related but I have to share that I changed my own tire today.

[katydidmischief]

So I think I'm going to swap over to a sponge filter from the HOB. Granted I love my HOB and it's quiet, but I think the sponge filter would be better for my aquakids in the long run.

I'm planning a large cleaning/rearranging for this weekend that I'm all excited for with more live plants; I managed to find small mopani driftwood pieces at a shop in NH while I was visiting a friend so I will be adding Anubias to them with cotton thread. I also got a new adjustable heater that will be a better option during the winter than the pre-set heaters I'd bought before I'd realized that's what they were. (There's 2 in the 10 gallon and together, they barely heat the tank to 78. I'm not pleased with my ignorance.)

[katydidmischief]

Just a couple of photos showing the new, final tank setup--the driftwood I wanted has been added, my 2 preset heaters replaced with an adjustable (huzzah!), and the plants divided up better. Also, Michael and Milton.

The water is definitely getting colored from the wood tannins and the IAL and I love it. I think it looks so pretty with that tinge and I know it's good for them.

[sareena79]

u defintely have some new fin growth going on there with your red one, good job! the tanks look great. one day when I hit the lotto ima redo all of sushi's stuff but hes seems content for now, hes a pretty spoiled little guy considering mama's budget and all his other "siblings" lol