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Post by stevenp on Jul 3, 2005 13:37:58 GMT -5
I just purchased a Betta and I thought I'd post a picture to introduce myself. I had a Betta when I was younger but he didn't live long, probably because I kept him in a bowl. The tank is a 5 gallon AGA with a Penguin 125 filter and 15watt PC bulb. I use RO-DI water due to the high TDS level in my area and plan to let the tank cycle out. I'm running topless because I feel it helps with the gas exchange to keep a stable PH. I may put a piece of egg crate over the top, even though he doesn't seem like a jumper. I've kept fish for as long as I can remember. I have a reef tank in the family room but wanted something for my home office, so I chose a Betta! Steve  |
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Post by ickyfishywishy on Jul 3, 2005 15:20:41 GMT -5
i looove ur tank and ur betta!!! he looks exactly like my perrywinckles! i lost him last week  but hes gorgus i love how u set up his tank! post some pix of ur reef tank id love to see it  and welcome to HB! |
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Post by amanichen on Jul 3, 2005 16:59:11 GMT -5
Welcome to Healthy Betta.
Nice tank you have there. I'm glad to hear you're giving him the royal treatment water-wise because that's not something everybody can do =)
You should probably put a cover on the tank, as bettas do eventually jump. I wouldn't worry about the gas exchange on a tank this size that only houses a single fish, especially since it's filtered.
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Post by stevenp on Jul 3, 2005 17:45:18 GMT -5
Thanks for the compliments!
So far it appears that he's enjoying his new home. I've been feeding him 3 pellets once a day which fills him up, but may cut that to every other day. He's still getting used to the current and has found a couple calm places in the tank to rest in between swims.
I'll make a cover on Tuesday since I think the Home Depot is closed tomorrow. Hope he doesn't jump before then!
I'll post a couple pics of my other tank but don't want to get your hopes up too much. It's just a small 20 gallon nano-reef, but to me it's my 20 gallons of joy!
Steve
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Post by ickyfishywishy on Jul 3, 2005 17:52:16 GMT -5
once a day? u should feed him at least 2 or 3 times a day small portions like 2 pellets twice a day and give him a break from food once a week, fast ur betta once a week but u have to at least feed him twice a day. there are many betta feeding threads here, check um out when u have the time |
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Post by stevenp on Jul 3, 2005 18:06:26 GMT -5
Not the best pic... so photo-shopped it just a tad to show more of the true color (crappy camera):  Original pic:  I'm still reading up on proper feeding for the Betta (doing my research  ) Steve |
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Post by ickyfishywishy on Jul 3, 2005 18:09:59 GMT -5
oooh thats verrryyyy preeetttyyy  i started out wanting a reef tank but then saw how it was kinda hard and i had NO clue whatsoever about fish hopefully is another year i might have one too ;D i love ur TANK!!!! |
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bettaamatuer
Junior Bubble Nester
say hello to big eyed, Mr. Smiley!
Posts: 143
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Post by bettaamatuer on Jul 3, 2005 18:11:25 GMT -5
hey cool reef tank. that looks awesome. also welcome to HB
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Post by stevenp on Jul 4, 2005 16:31:12 GMT -5
Well, I just changed over to Caribbean sand as substrate. I couldn't resist since I had some on hand. Here's a picture of the nice sand storm I created... heh... should clear up by night time. BTW, before anyone asks, no the fish is not in the tank If you look at the top of the tank, you can see the cover I fashioned from egg-crate lighting material, like you would use in a drop ceiling. I also added a homade riser to better support the tank.  Steve |
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Post by starlight on Jul 4, 2005 16:47:08 GMT -5
Well, I just changed over to Caribbean sand as substrate. I couldn't resist since I had some on hand. Here's a picture of the nice sand storm I created... heh... should clear up by night time. BTW, before anyone asks, no the fish is not in the tank If you look at the top of the tank, you can see the cover I fashioned from egg-crate lighting material, like you would use in a drop ceiling. I also added a homade riser to better support the tank. Steve Hi Steve, Clarify what you mean by " Caribbean sand "? Does this have crushed coral in it? Is this for marine use? I think people on this board that use sand are using play sand. If that sand has crushed coral/shells in it... it will raise the pH too high. Bettas are best kept around 7.0. I'm hoping the " Caribbean sand " is just a pretty name and isn't really what it sounds like. |
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Post by stevenp on Jul 4, 2005 16:55:34 GMT -5
South Down Tropical Play Sand. It does come from the Caribbean but isn't crushed coral. I hope it's ok?
Steve
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Post by starlight on Jul 4, 2005 17:15:23 GMT -5
Great! Just a pretty name. It's a good idea to check the pH of the water with the new sand before you put the betta in. I notice you have an egg-crate type cover on top. A glass top is a good idea, saran wrap in a pinch is good. I'd lower the water level to at least an inch below the top. (consistent with your filter operating properly) Bettas do best in shallow tanks, most of my tanks are 5-7" of water. Many breeders spawn bettas in 3-5" of water and raise the level when they have fry. This saves the betta energy when he comes up to the surface to breath. You can't judge a jumper by how he acts with you, they are capable of going through the smallest spaces.
I've seen how they do it, it goes something like this.
For whatever reason, a male thinks there might be a pretty female next door or a female decides she's out of there.
They go down to the bottom and come up to the surface at high speed like a little submarine, females are able to really go airborne with this approach. All my tanks are covered with either glass or acrylic.
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Post by stevenp on Jul 4, 2005 17:48:07 GMT -5
Actually, it's not ok. I've done a little research and it's not suitable for FW. Apparantly this stuff breaks down at a low PH. Argh, time to change the sand.. again...
Thanks for looking out and catching my stupid mistake Satrlight! Doh!
Steve
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Post by starlight on Jul 4, 2005 20:18:11 GMT -5
Actually, it's not ok. I've done a little research and it's not suitable for FW. Apparantly this stuff breaks down at a low PH. Argh, time to change the sand.. again... Thanks for looking out and catching my stupid mistake Satrlight! Doh! Steve Well not really, I though if the sand had any crushed coral it would take your pH to the moon. I use it occasionally and that's what happens when the KH is low. Anyway it got you thinking what could go wrong and I'm glad to help. I've been using 100% r/o for nearly four years. If you have a chance why don't you tell us how you prepare it for your betta. If you can put up a post in Aquariums " Water Conditioning, Filtration, and Water Chemistry". We can compare notes. |
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Post by Rachel on Jul 5, 2005 9:54:08 GMT -5
Nice tanks At least it's better to have found out about the sand before you had the betta back in there, even if it was somewhat of a pain switching it around. |
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but hes gorgus i love how u set up his tank! post some pix of ur reef tank id love to see it 
and welcome to HB!
)
i started out wanting a reef tank but then saw how it was kinda hard and i had NO clue whatsoever about fish hopefully is another year i might have one too ;D i love ur TANK!!!!
