Who here has a Betta fish?

[Gailey]

Date: 9/21/2009 1:02:09 PM
Author: MC

Date: 9/20/2009 3:59:57 PM
Author: ecf8503
We currently have 3 bettas - we''ve had as many as 6. They are all in 1/2 gallon tanks with gravel and a small fake plant (they like to hide under the leaves). I use freshwater salt and betta water conditioner in the water, which I mix in gallon jugs and let them sit at room temp; there are no filters or heaters, and they seem to do just fine (although I feel bad that their tanks are so small - maybe if we ever get back to just one I''ll get one larger tank). They eat bloodworms and betta pellets daily, and seem to be pretty darn happy!

Thanks.

I found an inexpensive used 10-gallon tank/stand that I''m contemplating buying. It would be divided with the girl on one side and the boy on the other. They''ll have lots more room. The only problem is that the cost of the heaters and filters will really pile up, so they may still be stuck in cooler water (unless I go with the cheaper style heaters and don''t bother with filters)! Problem also is my husband and I cannot agree on where to put it! It has to be within reaching room of my outside hose and even though our house is 2,400 sq. feet, the layout isn''t that great! Gotta decide by tonight. I told the guy I''d call him and do not want to keep him waiting.

How about getting an extn to the hose or getting the python? Lee Valley Tools sells a 6ft hose extender for $9.50.

When I got my 20 gallon, I got a metal Omar Shelving Unit from Ikea. I have since made stands from wooden packing crates that I sprayed with hammerite.

You are mentioning heaters and filters in the plural. if you have a divider that has holes in it, you will only need one filter and one heater.

Heck, I wish you lived a bit closer than Seattle, I could give you all this stuff, I''ve got cupboard loads of it!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 9/21/2009 2:57:42 PM
Author: Gailey
MC, I hope this doesn''t come across as judgemental, but are we talking about the same husband who has just bought a flat screen TV and is now considering a boat?

It''s not judgemental, but the difference between the purchases/expenses is I stay at home (and both my kids are in school) and my husband works over 50 hours a week, so that kind of explains the reasoning as to why he is treating himself to goodies and I''m hesitating to spend money on hobbies. Though, if I did buy everything new, my husband would be okay, too, as long as I stuck to a budget and didn''t buy a huge tank. Maybe I should take a trip down to Ikea and see what they have because everything at the chain pet stores are too expensive. (oh, and my husband isn''t buying an expensive boat and it for sure would be used.)

The guy who has the used tank set-up lives about 45 min. away and my husband is working 10 hours today, so if he''s too tired when he gets home, then I''ll just research and find a new set up for a reasonable price.

What I''d be getting from the Craig''s List guy for $40.00 is the 10-gallon tank, hood/light, heater, and stand. There are other items like the gravel and net, but I would toss those because of disinfection issues, plus I don''t use nets for my bettas. All I''d have to get is new gravel, some plants and a filter.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 9/21/2009 3:08:42 PM
Author: Gailey
How about getting an extn to the hose or getting the python? Lee Valley Tools sells a 6ft hose extender for $9.50.

When I got my 20 gallon, I got a metal Omar Shelving Unit from Ikea. I have since made stands from wooden packing crates that I sprayed with hammerite.

You are mentioning heaters and filters in the plural. if you have a divider that has holes in it, you will only need one filter and one heater.

Heck, I wish you lived a bit closer than Seattle, I could give you all this stuff, I''ve got cupboard loads of it!

I wish you lived closer too. . .I''d love to see your set ups in person and also it would be nice to have help arranging the plants!

The blue betta seems a bit sulky. Not sure if he''s sick or bored. I held a lego motorcycle up against the glass and he loved it! I''m tempted to place him by the TV and turn the "Planet Earth" series on.