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Hello and thank you! New, kinda failing, just have to laugh

817 Views 4 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  betta4ever!
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I have a new betta named Gretta. my niece named him. :) He was gifted to me since I’m alone and mostly homebound with disabilities and have been lonely.
I’m glad to find this group. I’ve needed encouragement. I’m doing the best I can and some places I look for advice can leave me feeling judged and like I’m abusing my fish. There so much I didn’t know as a chid when I kept my goldfish Deana alive for 17 years. Thanks to people here for making fish keeping feel more manageable..and enjoyable.
Besides an almost cycled tank leaking, the next one arriving broken, moving from one temporary tank to another placed in the bathroom by the heater vent, having my heat up to the point of my discomfort (it got him up to 75), and now the heater I dared use in a plastic tank not shutting off, this has been fun. 😂
I love how much personality he has, I wasn’t expecting that. He greets me every morning, it’s been a long time since I saw another face daily. I feel like I’m failing him but I don’t know if I’d find someone to take him that would be as invested, I’ll get there eventually I think. I started out exhausted and I finally had to laugh that a tiny fish could take a toll on my mental and physical health. I’m looking to the lighter side of things. I love seeing what others have done and hope to get the hang of it.
I struggle to get out due to disabilities so the next 5 gallon tank will be when I get out in person to be sure it isn’t broken. I’ll have to cycle with him in it, which I feel more I confident about from the stickie here. Water changes are one thing I’m actually good at.
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Thank you for the welcome. I had another hard night but I’m encouraged that it’s not just me hitting some walls as I learn. :)
I spent all last night plugging and unplugging his new heater. Once it hit 82.8 and showed no signs of turning off, I decided to try keeping it around. 79. I have my alarm set to check on temp tonight. I have two digital thermometers and one glass thermometer measuring different spots. It’s the jolly 10 watt the fish store suggested but I see many reviews saying some don’t turn off correctly. I was in too much pain today from not sleeping but hope to return the heater tomorrow and hopefully also pick up a bigger tank. I suppose the smaller size is part of the problem with not getting a consistent heat. Hopefully he’ll be okay in this a little longer before I start over again with a new tank soI can catch my breath. 😂
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