Product favorites!

[teeneythebetta]

Many people on the forum are on the lookout for products that are reccomended by us betta keepers. I think this thread would be a good way to share our opinions on different products and what we reccomend. Feel free to post below the products you reccomend, if possible put it in the format shown below (name, link, pros, cons). Here are some of my favorites. What are yours?


1. ViaAqua 50-Watt Quartz Glass Submersible Heater with Built-In Thermostat http://www.amazon.com/ViaAqua-50-Watt-Submersible-Built-In-Thermostat/dp/B005440HLO
Pros: Cheap price, works great, adjustable & thermostat feature keep tank at desired temperature.
Cons: Makes a quiet clicking sound when turning on/off, made of glass and therefore must be handled with care.


2. AquaCulture 10 gallon aquarium starter kit http://www.walmart.com/ip/Aquaculture-Starter-Kit-10-Home-Aquarium-1-ct/10312734
Pros: In store price of $30- afforable, includes tank, filter, hood with light.
Cons: Filter might need baffled & intake should be blocked to prevent injury to betta.


3. Aqua Culture Regular Gravel Vacuum Cleaner http://www.walmart.com/ip/Aqua-Culture-Gravel-Regular-Vacuum-Cleaner/13424303
Pros: Easy to use once you get the hang of it, does not require using your mouth like some siphons do.
Cons: May be too small for some tanks. (I use it in a 10 gallon tank, it will work for smaller tanks as well)

4. New Life spectrum betta fish pellets http://www.amazon.com/New-Life-Spect.../dp/B0038JTL1Y (also available at petco)
Pros: Healthy ingredients label- first ingredients are meat/protein source, good size for bettas, easy to portion out since they are equally sized pellets.
Cons: A little bit smelly.

5. API Freshwater master liquid test kit http://www.amazon.com/API-FRESHWATER.../dp/B000255NCI
Pros: Accurate results since it is a liquid test kit
Cons: Takes longer to test than using test strips

[Mo]

Atisons Betta pro is far better than new life spectrum IMO. But too bad its not being sold anymore

[tpocicat]

While I like NLS betta fish pellets, my con is that they sink too fast. I prefer foods that float like Atison's Pro :'(
I recommend the Betta Log sold at PetSmart.
Pros: The bettas love resting/hiding in it. Has a hole in the top for breathing and feeding.
Cons: In time the color may wash off.

[LebronTheBetta]

This is great Teeney. :) We can also discuss items that don't work and are a piece of crap. I recommend these items:

Hydor THEO heater - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hydor-THEO-A...tem25727bf34b#
Pros- Heats to your desirable temperature, adjustable, shock-proof.
Cons- Not much really, may take a while to heat the tank, give it 24 hrs.
Top Fin Gravel Vacuum - http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...n=Product+Type
Pros- Siphons water by itself after pinching the suction ball a few times, no need to suck out water and risking fish poo in your mouth.
Cons- Doesn't really siphon to gravel but takes out the waste.
Jardin Sponge Filter - http://www.amazon.com/Jardin-Aquariu...=sponge+filter
Pros- Doesn't suck up fish, provides mechanical and biological filtration. And great for tanks 3 gallons and above.
Cons- Maybe a bit strong but you can buy an airline valve, needs air pump and tubing, took 2 tries to bring it down to the substrate.

Sorry if I took your way of the thread, Teeney. 8P But I recommend all the items listed above.

[teeneythebetta]

No problem LTB, the thread is for opinions! You're free to reccomend any products you'd like!

[Perseusmom]

Prime water conditioner, the only conditioner I know that detoxifies ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate a must have when your doing a fish in cycle !I use the NLS as well.

[teeneythebetta]

Zoo Med Floating Betta log
http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...ductId=3956162
Pros: Bettas like it, has hole in top to allow surface breathing
Cons: Paint chips off

I've had this log for4 months and I just threw it away a few days ago. The paint chipping was driving me crazy! This is what it looked like.. The grey area is where the paint chipped off.

[Shadyr]

My bettas that have them love the Zoomed logs too! They used to be .... I forget either $9.99 or $11.99 but when I got the most recent one it was down to $5.99.

[Perseusmom]

Maybe the price drop is because the paint wears off and yes it did on mine too It was and aweful mess when it first happened and thankful I had a gravel vac to clean it up with. I didnt throw mine away since Perseus really enjoys it but I take it out once in awhile to make sure no more paint is coming off and it hasnt since that first time after having it in his tank for a month and its been 2 months since then.

[teeneythebetta]

Originally Posted by Perseusmom

Maybe the price drop is because the paint wears off and yes it did on mine too It was and aweful mess when it first happened and thankful I had a gravel vac to clean it up with. I didnt throw mine away since Perseus really enjoys it but I take it out once in awhile to make sure no more paint is coming off and it hasnt since that first time after having it in his tank for a month and its been 2 months since then.

Aww yeah I felt bad taking it out but it was making a mess and it was so ugly. lol. im looking into too if theres a homemade alternative... If i cnat find something that floats, I can just use suction cups ;)