Need a little help please

LauraJoe · October 26th, 2009

Ok, I'm gonna run to Walmart and check out their tanks & prices for bettas.

I all ready have the bettas. I've been a bad betta mommie and I'm tryin' to correct that.

I'm gonna go read the betta care guide but I'd like to know... what do I do first after I unpack the tank(s)? LOL

I need details... I confuse easily.

I'll be back...... Thanks for any help you can give me.

P.S. What's the best thing to put in the bottom of the tank? Gravel?

I used the search. It seems that just glass rocks (marbles, etc) will work.
WOOHOO! Give me a cookie for using the search.

Tony G. · October 26th, 2009

What i do whenever i get a new tank, is i just rinse the tank with warm water. Then, i rinse filter/media/gravel/deco, etc.

Add the gravel, place bowl, add water to about 50% in the tank, add other decorations, add more water, add the heater, top off the tank, and add water to the HOB filter. They, i plug it in, and let it run. After the first day i start the cycle, just to make sure everything runs ok...

OH, btw, you can use the edit button at the bottom right hand corner of your previous post if you want to add information

LauraJoe · October 26th, 2009

Thanks for the info Tony!

Things didn't go exactly as planned at Walmart, but $200.00 later I ended up with... 3 ~ 3 gallon (didn't have 3 ~ 5 gallon) I got some gravel for the bottom and a few plastic plants (UGH), heaters, etc.

I do have questions about the cycle. My bettas live in *gasp* "bowls". Well, I need to clean the bowls and usually I do a 100% water change and rinse the rocks and everything. This probably isn't correct, but with them being in "bowls" with no filter, etc. I thought it was best. So my question is... since I do all that... is it ok to just go ahead and move them to the tanks? Would it actually be worse than what I've been doin? Would it be better to go ahead and use the new tanks with heaters, filters, etc than cleaning the bowls and puttin' them back in those?

Sorry I'm such a ding dong. I'm tryin' to get better.

Lucy · October 26th, 2009

I've merged your posts, you can use the edit button to add to a post.

Congrats on upgrading your bettas homes.
I'd suggest you cycle the tanks first. Here's Four Methods of Fish Less Cycling
or if you can find Tetra SafeStart, you can add your fish at the same time as that. Be sure to acclimate them slowly in case there's any different in temperature, pH ect.

Oh and here's your cookie

chocolate_chip_cookie.jpg

peacemaker92 · October 26th, 2009

Hi Laura and WELCOME TO FISHLORE!

Great info and advice above. Congrats on buying new tanks for your bettas. It's a great step you're taking to give your bettas a better home and life. There are a lot of betta lovers here so I'm sure they'll love what you're doing to help your bettas.

IMO, when acclimating your bettas, take it slowly and at least acclimate them for about an hour plus. Add a cup of their new tank water every 5-10 minutes. Or you can just check out this link:
http://www.fishlore.com/acclimating-tropicalfish.htm

Best of luck and hope to see photos along the way

LauraJoe · October 27th, 2009

Okie dokie! Thank you all for the great advice! Thanks for the cookie Lucy! Chocolate chip is my fav!!!

So, here's the plan. Gonna get everything rinse, find some place for the new homes and set up. Gonna run out and see if I can find the SafeStart. That's where the plan ends, cause it depends on if I can find it. LOL

The fishie store was closed yesterday... so I think I'm gonna run out there.

I want happy fishies... like yesterday! LOL

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