potter

So...I rescued my first and second betta from Wal-Mart and then I say to myself that is enough BUT I end up with 4 more from Petsmart, some rescues, some I just fell in love with them. I have also rehomed one rescue and he is doing well and happy in his new home so now I have 5. Oh no....I feel like I am losing it each time I go to look at the bettas I would just keep bringing more home! I have one in a big critter keeper right now as I ran out of tank.

I also saw 2 bettas with SBD and am contemplating on bringing them home but I seriously do not know where to house them.

pinkfloydpuffer

You can never have just one betta.... I'm sitting at a nice 7 right now, and may be getting more soon.... I admire anyone who can keep just one

Shawnie

although alot of us have a huge huge soft spot for the bettas and their treatment, having a proper home for them is important once we make the decision to get them...check out craigs list (im not sure if there is one in canada or not? ) they are having a ton of tanks from ppl spring cleaning ..and they are cheap!! bettas need heat, filters, and room to grow out their amazing fins...share some pics of your kids when you can!

Amanda

Yeah...I started with one...I'm up to 11!

agabr123

lol, same here! :P

MaddieLynn

I only have 2... for now...

Lucy

Good point Shawnie.

You people are betta crazy
I only have 2.

haedra

I told myself in January when I got Devo (my first fish of any sort) that he would be my only.

In 2 weeks I was on the phone with my rental office to see if bigger tanks were allowed; hence in February I ended up with the 10 gallon.

I am now up to five bettas....

Shawnie

they are just like a potato chip..and we know how that goes LOL

haedra

That would be cheese balls for me...I can't stop on those until I want to vomit.

tress29

I've been spending way too much time on here! Everyone keeps talking about their new bettas, and I haven't had a new fish in a looooong time. I think I deserve a new fish, don't you?

So... I went to my LPS at lunch today. They had a white delta male, it reminded me of Patron, one of MM's babies. I had him in my hot little hands, but I just couldn't do it. I just couldn't put down the dusky lavendar crowntail I was toting around!! With the gold gourami for the tank at work, I just didn't have enough hands! What's a girl to do?

I'm getting two 20 gallon tanks this weekend. I asked if anyone had a 10 gallon on my freecycle list, and a gal offered a 20 with a stand. She sent a picture, it looks great! Then, I started telling a gal at work about asking for one, and she offered up a 20 gallon w/ stand that she has sitting in her garage! I'm gonna take both and see which one is in better shape. Her stand will hold two tanks, so I'll probably gonna keep that one. I think I can put the gecko's 20L on the bottom! I originally asked for a ten, to put a divider in for my sons' bettas. Something tells me there is a small community tank in my future!

So anyway, now we are up to 3 bettas. I'd like to get another female once the guys are all settled. Nothing has caught my eye yet...

Theresa in Indy

potter

Congratulations on your new bettas! Too bad you are in US otherwise you can sell me the other 20 gallon that you do not want!

I currently have 2 tanks running, one is a 5 gallon divided for 2 bettas and a 10 gallon divided for 2 bettas, both heated and filtered although I use a corner box filter for one of them since I have an air-pump sitting around. I might divide the 10 gallon for 3 boys and put the 5th boy in or just get a 2.5 gallon for the 5th boy in the critter keeper right now or just upgrade to a 20 gallon for all 5 of them but I dread that if any of them get sick, I have to medicate all of them but that way I don't have to manage different tanks. I have been looking at Craigslist and Kijiji but the offer for the tanks aren't very good since I think I could get a new 10 gallon for about Cad$20, not sure if that is a good deal though. And I will need a stand for a 20 gallon and I don't have one. I do have a TV stand, will it be strong enough to hold a 20 gallon aquarium? It looked sturdy though. Any ideas on what to do? I will appreciate some suggestions. 2 tanks is good but 3 hmm...another set of heater and filter is kinda expensive.

I am holding back on getting 2 more that I saw that has SBD because I feel like I have my hands full for now since we just moved and all. I will post pictures shortly.

COBettaCouple

The betta bug can really get you. We started out with 1 and quickly found ourselves with 8.

tress29

Well, water weighs 8.3 lbs per gallon x 20 gallons=166 lbs. Add the weight of the tanks, substitute some water for garvel and toys...

I guess it depends on the TV it was built to hold!

Theresa in Indy

potter

I am gonna post some pictures..Here comes Sushi, Wasabi, Unagi, Ebi and Sake. I named them after Japanese food not because I want to eat them but I love love love Japanese food and Japanese names.

The first picture is Sushi, my first rescue and my first betta in many many years. I think he is a DDR? And he was a rescue from Wal-Mart before I knew what a DDR is! His personality is what encourages me to get more bettas. I love this guy! Second picture is Wasabi, not sure what colouring he is I just fell in love with him. He is pretty skinny when I got him. Third is Unagi, I also fell in love with this guy and his fin were literally falling off or maybe he chewed them off while he was in his cup. He is also very skinny. Fourth is Ebi which was just beautiful but has been in the store for quite some time but no one bought him not sure why coz he is beautiful. The fifth is Sake with some fin issues but has now made a full recovery.

If anyone has any idea what type of colouring they all are, please let me know! I would love to know more about my boys! Enjoy the pics!

Attached Images

	Sushi.JPG (290.4 KB, 48 views)
	Wasabi.JPG (480.3 KB, 46 views)
	Unagi.JPG (337.7 KB, 45 views)
	Ebi.JPG (388.4 KB, 46 views)
	Sake.JPG (468.5 KB, 45 views)

AquarAdvent

Wow! They sure are beautiful! The only thing keeping me from getting another betta is the thought of annoying my dormmate with all the humming and all the used outlets!

DawnM

a 36in TV stand can support 170lbs.

potter

Oh ya and that too! My husband has been complaining about the bubbler and filter noise because all my aquariums are upstairs coz it is warmer up here in the winter so it is better for them but it is a little hard to sleep hearing the noise sometimes lol. Maybe I'll just get another 2.5 gallon for the 5th boy and not run the risk that if one gets sick, all of them gets sick. I have one more spot for a small aquarium on one of my bathroom counter where I usually groom my dog on and now I have to look for a new spot to groom my dog lol. Would have to sleep on it tonight. Thank you for the TV stand calculation. I need to go check how big is the stand in the basement.

Lucy

Your betta are beautiful

pinkfloydpuffer

Ooooooh I love that blue and white marble! Gorgeous!!!!

COBettaCouple

A great collection of beautiful bettas.

potter

Thank you I really love them!

prairielilly

Having acquired a few (!?) tanks recently, here's what I've found re: prices for new stuff in Canada (well, in Calgary):

- cheapest 10g glass tank (tank only): Petsmart $17.99
- cheapest fluorescent hood: Petsmart (Marineland) $45
- cheapest 10g glass tank WITH HOOD (incandescent) and filter: Walmart $35.99 (the 5g with hood and NO filter is $34.99)
- cheapest stand for a 10g OR 20g: Walmart ~$50 (I put a 10g on it...not sure if I agree it's strong enough for a 20g)
- NEXT cheapest stands for 10g or 20g's: Big Al's $50 - $75, less for metal ones (OR Petsmart wrought iron stand for 10g/20g ~$50)

Yes, in Canada-land these prices are considered CHEAP.

Your bettas are beautiful! Love the colouring on the red/white one's fins!

potter

Thank you! That helped a lot! I think I may just go with another 10 gallon because of the price and divide it for 2 bettas and the 5 gallon for 1 betta so each of them gets 5 gallon of water but buying 3 Visi-Therm heaters would cut a hole in my pocket. I am very paranoid about heaters and fire hazard so I am thinking of getting Visi-Therms since they shut off automatically when out of water.

prairielilly

I've never divided a tank (so someone should likely clarify this ) but from the pics I've seen it seems you can go with one filter and one heater if the divider allows water flow through it, such as the DIY ones made of craft mesh. Or you could go with corner box filters (not pretty but dirt cheap and sure do work great, low water disturbance is awesome for bettas) both run from one air pump, which would really cut down costs in that area, and then spend a little more on the heaters. There's a pic in the link in my sig of my 3g setup with my betta and a corner box filter.

I've got a Visitherm and it does work well (now, had some troublems initially) but I must say I prefer the Stealth, which also shuts off when removed from water. An easy was to put your mind at ease: put the filters, heaters etc all but the lights on a power bar, then when you need to clean the tank just shut off the power bar.

potter

Thanks! That REALLY helped! I have 2 tanks (5g and 10g) divided into two each for 4 of my bettas right now. I am using a corner box filter for my 10g and an Aquaclear 20 for my 5g. Will upgrade the corner box filter to Red Sea mini filter in near future and get Stealth heaters for all the tanks since I am paranoid about safety. I am just thinking of what to do with the
5th betta...Originally, I saw a 2.5 gallon with a small piece of glass to cover the top for Cad$17.99 at Petsmart and I wanted to get that but a 10 gallon without the glass is also the same price but space is really an issue though. I also like my current Hagen 5g with hood, lighting and all. It was given to me by someone and I was thinking I might get the same thing but is like $30+.

prairielilly

Craigslist, kijijji? I never seem to find any deals on them (a lot of folks trying to make a profit more so) but from posts here, some folks swear by it.

I think the red sea nano's really great too, but the box filter holds more media.

haedra

You've got some beautiful fish there.

One thing you should probably accept now, is there will likely always be one question in your mind:

"Now, where can I put another betta?"

I never thought I would succumb, but the addiction has gotten me real good! And I wouldn't have it any other way.

potter

Thanks . I am REALLY thinking of stopping at 5. It is really my max or maybe 6 lol..That will certainly be my max.

prairielilly

yea, yea...that's what I said with tanks when I had 3...now I've got 6