Blub

So, which do you want to hear first? Bad I guess...

Well, recently I moved Malachai to the 7.5 gal... (Or rather, I moved the 7.5g to Malachai! It was in the same place as Mal's old 3g) I used Malachai's old filter in the 7.5 because that was fully established, and kept it at the same temp as his old tank. So, the other day I notice him behaving weird. Water test? Yup, there was 0.6 ammonia! So, I commence with a 2 50% water change a day schedule. One in the morning, one in the evening. 2 days into this, I can't find Mal. Then I notie his fin in the cave. 'He's just resting, better leave him be' I thought, and did a WC. Next day, Ammonia test says 0 - but Malachai is in exactly the same position in the cave. I take a look, and, well... It wasn't the first thing I wanted to see. His gills looked Blood red - so I blame that evil, evil Ammonia! I can't believe it... I was basically just crying my eyes out. Poor, poor little Malachai... If only I had seen that Ammonia sooner!

So, good news? I'm getting another betta! I want either a Royal blue HM, or a Cambodian VT! Got to go!

angelfish220

I would keep that water perfect clean. like no nitrates or anything. Overdose the prime in water changes to keep it good.

Yeah more bettas

Is malachai in the calander? I dont rememeber seeing him there?

Martinismommy

I don't think I received a photo of him...

Congrats on the new Betta! I love the royal blues!

Lucy

Oh poor Malachai! Is he still with us?

I know you're good to your fish, so don't be too hard on yourself.

Congrats on the new betta. I'd get every color and kind if I could.

chickadee

I think Malachai is not with us anymore from the sounds of it. I am so sorry to hear it and I hope that you plan to cycle the filter again before adding a new fish. I know you are good to your fish and would not have hurt Malachai at all so please do not beat yourself up over it.

Moving from one tank to another is tricky and very hard especially if you move a filter. For some reason sometimes a filter that is perfectly cycled in one tank with gravel and decorations covered with bacteria gets overloaded and cannot handle a new tank without the extra bacterial beds to support them. This is why sometimes when we upgrade to larger tanks it is a good thing to get a sponge filter to cycle in the tank to move with the other one to help to support the move.

All my little guys and myself send our sympathies and hope you are okay.

Rose

shellbell4ever

I'm so sorry to hear this
Good luck with your new Betta,Don't forget we love pic's

COBettaCouple

We're sory that you lost little Malachai.

Blub

Well I just had a 3/4 day (I can't really remember now...) camping trip to take my mind of it a bit... The day before I left I just threw in a ton of fish food (Malachai was dead - I wanted to keep that filter as live as possible!) and turned the timer off so my hornwort (I have tons of the stuff...) would die and produce bacteria food. I keep thinking he's still with us in his little tank - I have an Anthurium (A flowering house plant with attractive and large crimson blooms; highly recommended plant and a good compliment to a peace lily) next to his tank and the reflection of it's luxurious flowers look like little red Bettas on the glass!

I'm hoping to get my Betta really soon. A recent test revealed 0 ammonia... Threw in more food, testing it in half an hour. See if we are still cycled or no.
I suspect it was lack of bacteria on decor and gravel - the only decor that I kept was the coconut cave. Pics of my new Betta will be taken the day I get him!

Mal didn't have a really good set of pics - so I didn't submit any to the calendar.

pamd

I'm so sorry Malachai didn't survive. I hope you're feeling a little better by now and looking forward to getting your new betta.

For some peace of mind, you might want to consider a Seachem Ammonia Alert.

Several Fishlore members have reported that it's reliable, although I personally wouldn't let it replace the need for occasional ammonia testing with the AP test kit. I don't know if you can get one in England. If not, and if you're interested, I'd be willing to pick one up for you and mail it so you could avoid exorbitant shipping costs. I'd want you to reimburse me for my costs, of course: $8.50 (includes tax) + $3.80 US Postal Service First Class International (for 4 oz. package -- weight is just a guess).

Blub

Thanks for the offer Pam - but like you I'm fine with my master test. It doesn't take to long. Thanks anyway!

I'm hoping to go check out what a few LFS have in stock in the way of Betta today. I have an excuse to go at least! The tank is looking good. I'm thinking of playing around with the aquascape a little bit. Right now I have this Iwagumi type scape, (Well, not really Iwagumi but similar) which features a LOT more gravel than usual, as it slopes in the sides, with the highest point being the back 2 corners of the cube. In between the 2 sides at the back is the coconut cave, and the most striking feature of the whole scape are the large, upright stones that resemble little mountains... I' hoping to get dwarf hairgrass going in the background, HC in the foreground and Java moss/a Dwarf anubias on the rocks. I think I'm going to add more rock and see what it looks like for a week. Either way, Iwant to make this tank a Betta place! (Oops, sorry Dave!)

Blub

So, yesterday I go check out the local LFS for Bettas. High score! I find just the Betta I'm looking for - a lovely Lavender/Cambodian type male who was just giving me puppy face after pppy face. Happy with my find, I leave the fish are to go find mum and tell her the good news. Well, Mum and my Sister LOVE him! Mum decides to go look for b'day prezzies for my sister... I come back to buy the Betta. And... Where is he? We go over to the fish guy, and I literally almost fell on the floor and died... They sold *MY* Betta - in the 5 minutes I was not there! I'm just crying my eyes out and biting myself so hard one of my teeth tuns wobbly... My Betta... The one who just wanted to come home with me - sold - to some owner who puts him in a tank of tetras and angels and wonders why they rip him to shreds... Poor, poor Betta... (And poor poor me - I have to spend months looking for a Betta who likes me...)

Phoning up 2 LFS's today who said they had Bettas in now. See if I can score a Cambodian/Lavender!

joycey1221

aw man! that stinks. but look on the bright side, you may find an even better betta in the future!

Blub

Well, I did have a few laughs while phoning various LFS. When I said I wanted a Cambodian/Lavendar "A what?", I tell him a veiltail will do - I'm not into Halfmoons "You don't get veiltail in Bettas, you can either have a high-fin (I wasn't listening, I knew it was pointless so I didn't hear the other fantasy fin type...) etc. etc., and for that sort of Betta you will need a really clean set up with extra filtration... etc. etc. Well, obviously you need a filter! Good news though - a FISH shop says that they are getting an order in on Tuesday, and I can come and check them out, and reserve one so I can pick it up when he's had his QT. Cool! Just pray I can get a Lavender... I love Lavender Bettas! Now, I just have to finish that Betta wallpaper montage thing for my desktop...