Hi everyone...I previously kept a 10g freshwater aquarium for years, then stopped after my last fish died. Then got into saltwater aquariums back in 2008. I currently have a 125g fowlr (fish-only-with-live-rock) tank, and will probably upgrade it to a reef by the end of this year.
I always loved Bettas, and had a pair for 2 years. Knowing now what I've learned in saltwater, I realized that if I got another betta, I'd have to think about its habitat more closely. The pair I had were in large vases with plants, but were not heated nor filtered.
I thought I knew enough. But after I got a 1.5g cube w/ hob filter and led lights, my 11 year old daughter said she wanted one for her room. So she used her gift cards that she collected, and got the same set up. We also got each cube a mini-heater. Only after I read on this site about 2.5g did I realize I shot too small for tank size. I had already filled the tanks and put in a hidey hole decorations, plants, and sand, so I didn't think I could return the cubes for a larger one. I will set up the 10g but probably not for a while. I'll have to find a nice place to put it, plus get a stand.
For now, the 2 guys seem to be doing ok. Very active swimmers, very personable, always fluffy, and eat heartily. Both are also actively making their bubble nests even after they disappear with water changes. I've been doing 25-50% water changes every other day, and temp's been stable at 78F thanks to the mini heaters, and parameters are all 0 after the cycle. We're feeding them a mix of Hikari pellets, dried bloodworms, and I just got some frozen bloodworms as well. Feeding just a small amount (size of their eyeball as I've seen suggested).
Here's my crowntail, Squidworth (the first one is from when we first got him, and his cube was divided while my daughter's tank finished cycling):
My daughter's spadetail, Patrick:
(we took these when we first transferred him, so he's not as fluffy yet, but he's been doing great now)
I got rid of that hydor one. I didn't realize they don't have auto shut offs on them! Her tank at one point sored to 90F! So I took it out and replaced it with a regular cylinder heater, which shuts off automatically.
I always loved Bettas, and had a pair for 2 years. Knowing now what I've learned in saltwater, I realized that if I got another betta, I'd have to think about its habitat more closely. The pair I had were in large vases with plants, but were not heated nor filtered.
I thought I knew enough. But after I got a 1.5g cube w/ hob filter and led lights, my 11 year old daughter said she wanted one for her room. So she used her gift cards that she collected, and got the same set up. We also got each cube a mini-heater. Only after I read on this site about 2.5g did I realize I shot too small for tank size. I had already filled the tanks and put in a hidey hole decorations, plants, and sand, so I didn't think I could return the cubes for a larger one. I will set up the 10g but probably not for a while. I'll have to find a nice place to put it, plus get a stand.
For now, the 2 guys seem to be doing ok. Very active swimmers, very personable, always fluffy, and eat heartily. Both are also actively making their bubble nests even after they disappear with water changes. I've been doing 25-50% water changes every other day, and temp's been stable at 78F thanks to the mini heaters, and parameters are all 0 after the cycle. We're feeding them a mix of Hikari pellets, dried bloodworms, and I just got some frozen bloodworms as well. Feeding just a small amount (size of their eyeball as I've seen suggested).
Here's my crowntail, Squidworth (the first one is from when we first got him, and his cube was divided while my daughter's tank finished cycling):
My daughter's spadetail, Patrick:
(we took these when we first transferred him, so he's not as fluffy yet, but he's been doing great now)
I got rid of that hydor one. I didn't realize they don't have auto shut offs on them! Her tank at one point sored to 90F! So I took it out and replaced it with a regular cylinder heater, which shuts off automatically.