i just got a betta fish!!

[..JaKeY..bOy..]

i just got a knew betta fish today. i have a big golfish tank.... 5 gallons. but im confused because bettas need warm water and i have a big tank and it will cool down faster. if i have a bigger tank do i need a heater? if so what would be the best kind to buy? do i put the water conditioner in before i put the betta in and just wait 24 hours or do i put it in with the betta in the tank? also...... after i change the tank do i have to put the beta in right away or do i have to let it sit for a bit? is there anything else that i need to know? please help, im confused.

[Cody]

Check out the General Betta Care sticky that me and other members compiled together. It should answer most of your questions. If not, feel free to ask again and we will answer.

[MrVampire181]

Try the Tetra 2-15 heater, keeps it around 78F, and is at Walmart for $15.

[dramaqueen]

The water conditioner instantly dechlorinates the water.You don't have to age the water but a lot of people do. I usually let mine sit overnight but not always.There is a lot of good info in the General Care sticky. I'd reccommend reading it, also.

[Red Betta]

Ya put the conditioner in before the betta in. A heater would be good, i don't what to suggest, i guess just shop around. I wouldn't put the betta in just after a tank change because the tempurture may flucuate.

[dawn13]

I just got my betta two days ago. He is acting very weird I think. I woke up this morning and turned on his light and he was on my filter like he was dead. He reallly scared me. I thought he was dead. Has that ever happened to anyone else's fish?

[dramaqueen]

Sometimes they will act a little wierd if they have been in darkness and the light is suddenly turned on. I don't know if it was dark when you turned the light on. If he's acting ok now, I wouldn't worry. Sometimes they get mad when you wake them up. lol

[MrVampire181]

Originally Posted by dramaqueen

Sometimes they will act a little wierd if they have been in darkness and the light is suddenly turned on. I don't know if it was dark when you turned the light on. If he's acting ok now, I wouldn't worry. Sometimes they get mad when you wake them up. lol

That reminds me of this time when I had one betta, Namu (I love whales), well he likes to sleep, so I came up to his tank and found him on his side at the bottom, I turned the light on and he looked up at me and gave me that "I was sleeping" look, he laid back on his side, then all of a sudden he swam as fast his veil tail could make him go up to the top expecting food, is that all these guys think about?

Namu is still alive and well, he like killing other fish in the tank, so far 1 neon and 1 white cloud have died because of him. He is really attached to me, and I love him more than most of my other bettas, he started it all and takes total blame and apologizes to my friends for making me crazy :P

[dramaqueen]

My little Buddy started it all for me. He died a little over a year ago. I rescued him from a neighbor who didn't want to take care of him properly.

[sunkissedinCA]

lol dmhalfmoon, your response made me laugh out loud, it reminds me of me