Received A Fish As A Gift.

Let me just start off by saying I have never owned a fish or taken care of one. I received a 3-gallon fish bowl with 5 fish in it and 2 ghost shrimp as a gift 3 days ago. I realise this is a small bowl so I ordered a 10-gallon fish tank that has a filter. The tank will not be here until Friday. I also ordered tubing and the air pump because they do not come with the tank. I need help, but I've never owned a fish. I have already fallen in love with these fish and would be very sad to see them die. Last night I changed the water in the fish bowl because it was mercy. In the bowl, there is a betta fish, mixed fruit tetra, a serpae tetra, 2 small ghosts shrimp, and a neon tetra. The water has been conditioned and I have only been feeding them small amounts in the morning. Where do I go from here? I don't have much money left after buying the tank, pump, and airline tubing. I'm worried about my fish and feel overwhelmed. Can I just put the fish in the tank after it arrives? I know the temperature have to be around the same to keep the fish from being hurt. Whenever I changed the 3-gallon fish bowl I had to put the fish into a 1-gallon bowl of water that I treated and waited a few hours for the water temperatures to feel the same because I didn't have a thermometer. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am sorry if I have offended anyone with my lack of knowledge but I came here to get help so please don't be too judgemental.

 

First off, wow! I have a feeling that this is not gonna end well.

Take a deep breath, please answer the following questions:
1. Where did you get this from? How long did that person had these?
2. Have you tested for water parameters? What are the numbers?
3. How does the fish look?
4. What are you using to condition the water?

Let's wait for your answers before moving forward. Meanwhile, go and read about Nitrogen cycle.

 

unfortunately that is a lot of fish. I'm not even shore were to start. The fish you have need atleast a 20 gallon. The betta will be fine in the three gallon if you get a filter and a heater. The tetras are a schooling fish and need a school of 6 each. You can't do three schools in a 20 however. For now if you could get a filter and heater for the 3 gallon and a 20 gallon tank setup that would give you time to figure this out.

 

First off, it was great of you to order a larger tank for these fish, and conditioning the water was the right thing to do. In the meantime, is there any kind of larger, plastic tub you can put the fish into, like a Rubbermaid? Three gallons is incredibly small.

I know cash flow is a problem, but you need to buy SeaChem Prime to lock the ammonia that's in your water. Every new tank must go through the nitrogen cycle before it's safe to put fish in. Without going into detail (since others can explain better than I can,) you need to develop beneficial bacteria to break down contaminants that are in your water and harmful to fish. Unfortunately, the beneficial bacteria that the fish need only grows in your filter media, so you can really only do water changes/dechlorinate until your filter comes in. Please pick up a bottle of Prime--it dechlorinates and locks ammonia levels for 24-48 hours, and that is the most important issue at this point.

You're in luck in that Fishlore has some amazing aquarists here, so people will be here to help!

Also--take a deep breath. We're going to throw a lot of information at you, but don't feel overwhelmed. We're going to get you and your fish through this!

 

They were an anniversary present that my wife got a week ago at Walmart. I have not tested any water parameters, how do I do this? The fish all look great to me they are not sluggish and seem in good health. I used the conditioner my girlfriend gave me with the fish (BettaSafe) drops.

 

This kit is recommended for testing your water. It's on Amazon, but your local pet store will probably have it in stock:

 

Ok, so I need the Seachem Prime. It is 12 dollars. I think I can scrounge up the money to order it. I do not think Walmart has this and unfortunately for me, walmart is the only store around. So I will probably have to get it from Amazon and hopefully, it should be here by Friday once I order it.

This kit is recommended for testing your water. It's on Amazon, but your local pet store will probably have it in stock:

I don't have a pet store anywhere close. I never saw this at Walmart either. After I get the Sea chem and the test kit I will only have 10 dollars left in my bank account so I'm crossing my fingers there won't be anything else I have to buy. Or if there is maybe I can build it or something.

 

Good on you for caring about the fish and trying to do your best for them. Honestly though, I would take all the tetras back and keep the Betta and shrimp in the larger tank. I mean this kindly, but if you are struggling to find 12 dollars you are going to end up spending more than you have to give these poor fish a decent life. You don't want to know how much my simple community set up has ended up costing. A single Betta (plus/minus shrimp) can be done on a budget.

 

Welcome to FishLore!
I hope all goes well. What you are doing shows how much you like your fish. Once you get it all sorted, you will enjoy fish keeping a lot more.
I am sorry I can't be of much help, but there are more experienced member that will offer their advice.
I just wanted to say welcome to the forum and to not worry.

 

Never keep a fish in a bowl so your tank was a good call. If there is an overhead light then you should be fine as far as tempurature goes, but I'd still keep a thermometer. Also what ever you do don't buy a tetra filter they're garbage. I'd also use prime conditioner with ph 7. If I were you I'd use spring water from the store but if you use tap water put the conditioner in before. I'd recommend you cycle the tank but because of how urgent this is I'd just put the ph 7 and prime in and let everything run for a day or so before letting your fish in. I'd also put them in a bag and let them float for fifteen minutes. Then put some of the tank water in the bag and let them float for fifteen minuetes. Then pour your fish in a net and put them in the tank don't let the water from your fish bowl mix with your tank water

 

Never keep a fish in a bowl so your tank was a good call. If there is an overhead light then you should be fine as far as tempurature goes, but I'd still keep a thermometer. Also what ever you do don't buy a tetra filter they're garbage. I'd also use prime conditioner with ph 7. If I were you I'd use spring water from the store but if you use tap water put the conditioner in before. I'd recommend you cycle the tank but because of how urgent this is I'd just put the ph 7 and prime in and let everything run for a day or so before letting your fish in. I'd also put them in a bag and let them float for fifteen minutes. Then put some of the tank water in the bag and let them float for fifteen minuetes. Then pour your fish in a net and put them in the tank don't let the water from your fish bowl mix with your tank water

What is cycling the tank? So once the Prime and the Ph kit arrive all I need to do is (1) Fill the Tank, (2) Condition the tank with Prime (3) Let the tank run for 24 hours (4) Put fish in a bag and let them sit for fifteen minutes (5) Put some of the tank water in the bag for 15 minutes (6 ) Release the fish into the aquarium.

Ok so after I do all that then what.

What daily, weekly, or monthly maintenance is needed? Also can you please prove complete A-Z steps for the maintenance or any or recommendations.

Thank you I wan't to do my best for the fish and for you all.

What is cycling the tank? So once the Prime and the Ph kit arrive all I need to do is (1) Fill the Tank, (2) Condition the tank with Prime (3) Let the tank run for 24 hours (4) Put fish in a bag and let them sit for fifteen minutes (5) Put some of the tank water in the bag for 15 minutes (6 ) Release the fish into the aquarium.

Ok so after I do all that then what.

What daily, weekly, or monthly maintenance is needed? Also can you please prove complete A-Z steps for the maintenance or any or recommendations.

Thank you I wan't to do my best for the fish and for you all.

Also, I don't have a tube for gravel cleaner or a heater for the tank but my house is always 75 degrees, but I can order them within 3 weeks. Would this be ok???

 

Hey GearsMan, welcome to fishlore. There is so much nowadays that goes with fishkeeping, but the folks here will walk you through it.

Let's do things the old fashioned way for now.

First, for the fish's healthy, lets get them into a better situation.
Leave the betta in the 3 gallon with the shrimp. Scrounge up something about 5-10 gallons for the tetras, buckets, used and well washed litter bucket, rubbermaid type totes. You don't have to spend a lot of money on these.

Now, you are going to spend a lot of time water changing until you can get a tank with a filter. Change the water in the bowl and the emergency tank twice a day, you can use your finger to guage the temp to get it pretty close. Always use a dechlorinator, the Betta Safe is fine until you can get the Prime. Change 50% of the water at a time.

Feed sparingly, add a small pinch, wait to see if any of it is hitting the bottom. When one piece hits the bottom, stop feeding. And every other day is fine, they can handle it.

When you get the 10g, you can set it up and add the tetras to it. Continue with 50% water changes every day but since you have them in a larger volume of water, you can cut back to once a day. You can go without gravel and plants until you can afford it. Put the airstone and pump on the 3 g with the betta and shrimp. Now you can take a really deep breath. With daily water changes, you are going to manually remove the ammonia.

What you are doing is setting up a natural nitrogen cycle with fish-in. People do use things like TetraSafeStart Plus to make it quicker, but you don't have to. It just is a matter of water changes. If you take out old water and add fresh, dechlorinated water, you are removing the ammonia so that your fish don't get sick.

A lot of people use the water test kit to stay on top of the amounts of ammonia and nitrites and nitrates. In the beginning this is helpful as it shows where your cycle is and it shows when you definitely need to do a water change. This can be done without a test kit. You are already in the tank, no point in stressing and adding more steps to it.

Like I said, lots here can walk you through it, you CAN be successful and your fish CAN be happy and healthy. I started with less than optimal circumstances too, now I have 5 tanks with happy healthy fish and they are a blast!!

 

Reading about the nitrogen cycle, and especially "fish in" cycling is what you'll need to focus on. The nitrogen cycle is at the heart of every aquarium. Until your tank cycles, you'll need to dose with Prime and do water changes.

When you get your test kit, you'll want to test for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. Essentially, you'll need to get to the point where you have 0.0 PPM of both ammonia (NH3) and nitrite (NO2), and roughly 10-20 nitrates. Normally, people will do "fishless cycles," by using pure ammonia to get the cycle started. In your case, you'll be doing a "fish in cycle," so the fish you have will provide the ammonia for you in the form of waste.

 

minervalong Thanks for taking the time to write this walk trough. I am sure it will be very helpful for GearsMan and others.

 

Ok I just talked to my mom and she is going to order these things for me and I will just have to pay her back. I hate borrowing money but for the fish, it is worth it.
(5) API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT 800-Test Freshwater Aquarium Water Master Test Kit
(4) Tetra 26447 Submersible Aquarium Heater, 50-Watt

(3) AODE® Digital LCD Fish Tank Aquarium Water Terrarium Probe Thermometer

(2) Seachem Prime 500ml
(1) Genuine TERAPUMP Aquarium Cleaner Aquarium Fish Tank Gravel Sand Cleaner with Long Nozzle N Water Flow Controller - BPA Free (model: TRFTCLN)


The best I can do for the Tetras is a 5-gallon bucket. I will leave the betta like you said in the bowl. and do 50 percent water changes on the bowl and the bucket each once a day. Is there anything else? My mom has not placed the Amazon order yet, but she is about to. So everything can be here by Friday. If you can please tell me any changes I need to make to the Amazon list so I can place the order ASAP!

 

Also, I don't have a tube for gravel cleaner or a heater for the tank but my house is always 75 degrees, but I can order them within 3 weeks. Would this be ok???

So the heat will be fine for now. You could sit the betta bowl by a lamp you can get pretty close to the side of the bowl, this will add heat.

You don't HAVE to have a gravel cleaner, you can use a net, wave it over part of the gravel to stir up the mulm and then either use a hose to siphon it out or just dip it out with something during a water change.

Eventually you will need a siphon hose. You can do two ways with DIY, either cut up an old water hose and clean it really well with water and vinegar, or get vinyl hose from a hardware store. Either way, you can cut the bottom out of a plastic soda bottle and duct tape it to the end of the hose. This serves well as a siphon hose. the reason for the bottle is that it will allow the gravel to settle back into the tank while taking the dirty water out.

Ok I just talked to my mom and she is going to order these things for me and I will just have to pay her back. I hate borrowing money but for the fish, it is worth it.
(5) API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT 800-Test Freshwater Aquarium Water Master Test Kit
(4) Tetra 26447 Submersible Aquarium Heater, 50-Watt

(3) AODE® Digital LCD Fish Tank Aquarium Water Terrarium Probe Thermometer

(2) Seachem Prime 500ml
(1) Genuine TERAPUMP Aquarium Cleaner Aquarium Fish Tank Gravel Sand Cleaner with Long Nozzle N Water Flow Controller - BPA Free (model: TRFTCLN)


The best I can do for the Tetras is a 5-gallon bucket. I will leave the betta like you said in the bowl. and do 50 percent water changes on the bowl and the bucket each once a day. Is there anything else? My mom has not placed the Amazon order yet, but she is about to. So everything can be here by Friday. If you can please tell me any changes I need to make to the Amazon list so I can place the order ASAP!

You can cut the gravel cleaner, (see below post), and the thermometer, get a cheapie 2$ one, they work fine. As for the heater, that is up to you, but with money tight and this is a borrowed funding, I'd get a gooseneck that you can beam into the side of the betta bowl. Like I said, 75 degrees will be ok for the tetras for now. The test kit is up to you, it will cut down on water changes but won't make your tank cycle any faster.

 

A nitrogen cycle I don't know that much about it but you can read about on the forum

 

Ok I am just going to get the prime and the Water test kit then. That way I won't owe her the money. I will just order the rest later so it does not put me in the hole.

 

minervalong Thanks for taking the time to write this walk trough. I am sure it will be very helpful for GearsMan and others.

I started in the same place as he is starting, and I too had few funds at the time. It can be done the old fashioned way and without spending a fortune up front. I was a stay at home mom for years, so money was always tight and I learned how to make do and diy lol.

Ok I am just going to get the prime and the Water test kit then. That way I won't owe her the money. I will just order the rest later so it does not put me in the hole.

There ya go, things can always be added later. And spend your computer surfing time looking at diy for aquariums, there is so much info out there. The King of DIY has a channel that has lots of info.

 

What am testing for and how do I test once the tank is set up and the fish are in it. Like what should all the levels be? Do I need to test it each day? Also what numbers can the levels reach.

 

What am testing for and how do I test once the tank is set up and the fish are in it. Like what should all the levels be? Do I need to test it each day? Also what numbers can the levels reach.

There are 4 vials that come with the kit (I took a marker and wrote on each what that test vial was for). Fill each vial to the line with your tank water. The bottles of chemicals are reactive agents and will change the water color in the vials. On the front of the bottle, it will tell you how many drops of the reagent you need to put in each vial. Really shake up those bottles before you put the drops in, especially the 2nd nitrAte bottle. Get yourself a piece of paper,notebook whatever, so that you can keep a good record of the numbers.

After you have added all of the reagents, you compare the color in the vial to the guide in the kit. You will know the pH of the tank, unless you have some really big issues with your water, this is just to keep an eye on it. The ammonia test will tell you if you need to do an immediate water change, we are always chasing a pure yellow, which means 0 ammonia. In that chase, 0 nitrItes is a goal too, the very lightest of blues. The nitrAte level should be some amount, less than 20ppm is optimum.

So, if you see a green tinge to the ammonia vial, or a darker blue to the nitrIte vial, you need to do a water change. Until the filter has managed to get a beneficial bacteria colony going, you need to test every day so you can decrease the ammonia or nitrIted if needed. If for some reason you have a total of less than 1ppm of ammonia plus nitrIte and can't do a water change right away, you can dose with Prime to protect the fish until you can get a water change done.

I can write a rundown of the nitrogen cycle for you if you like.

 

Yes, I would appreciate that nitrogen cycle run down. I will be testing everyday if it doesn't take very long and once the kit arrives Friday. Thank you very much.

 

Hey!! Wow, so much stress... I was put in the exact same position as you! I got my fishes as a gift also.

First thing I did was googled for help and was brought to this site/forum. And I've never looked back since. You will get some fantastic advise on here and it seems overwhelming at first but bare with it and you'll be loving it and learning more and more before you know it.

There's nothing I can tell you that these guys haven't covered!! They are fab!! But as long as you care your will do Brill!! I had some unfortunate casualties at first but my little community is now thriving . Good luck and welcome to the team x

 

Yes, I would appreciate that nitrogen cycle run down. I will be testing everyday if it doesn't take very long and once the kit arrives Friday. Thank you very much.

it takes about ten minutes tops to test. it is only crucial until your tank is cycled as it makes it easier to know to do a water change.

OK, the Nitrogen Cycle down and dirty lol

Fish live in an enclosed space, they eat and breathe and eliminate in the water. A beneficial bacteria colony (BB) then takes charge. The wastes degrade to ammonia, very toxic. A BB will convert the ammonia to nitrItes, still toxic but less so. A different BB will convert the nitrItes to nitrAtes, toxic is high amounts. You do a water change to remove the nitrAtes, add fresh water with minerals and chemicals that the fish use up.

BB Colony: these live in your filter media. Some small percentage will live in the substrate, water column etc etc but over 90% will be in the media. So what you are aiming for is a colony of the BB's living in the filter media so that they can do all the converting. They occur in small numbers in regular water and will grow to be able to do all of the converting needed. They will only grow to the size that they are fed by the bioload (total amount of waste) in the tank. When everything is running well, you get waste, BB converts it to nitrAte in the end, you change the water and lower the nitrates and boom, you have a cycle.

Filter media: Your filter will likely come with a "cartridge" and the instructions will say to replace the cartridge monthly. This is hooey, the actual filter is the end point of you paying the company money. If they can con you into tossing a cartridge every month and buying a new one, constant stream of paying the company. Look up supercharging your filter on youtube, it shows ya how to do this. You want to go to walmart or other big box store with a craft department, get a pad of UNTREATED (marked on the front of the package) polyester like for stuffing pillows. It is about an inch or so thick. Go to cleaning supplies and get the little round untreated scrubbies, made of plastic. These will be your mechanical filtration and some BB will take up residence there too. The end point is that you can filter your water, and provide a home for lots of BB really really cheaply.

Care of BB: Every other week, when you do a water change, put some of the old tank water in a clean bucket, turn off your filter, take out whatever you are using for media and give it a gentle swish in the old water. This removes large bits of debris from your media, keeping your flow going from the filter. Replace the media into the filter and you have an intact BB colony, a smooth filter flow and you don't have to pay that company any more lol.

You can make a filter for the betta bowl with an airstone and some of the media by wrapping a length of the media around the stone and tying it off top and bottom (on the air tubing and at the bottom). What this does is the air creates bubbles from the stone, as the bubbles rise they pull water with them creating a current. This current of water will move through the media, eventually you will have a BB colony in the media and boom, a betta filter.

Please watch lots of youtube diy on aquariums, you can end up with a fab setup at little cost. That way you can save your money for a 20 gallon long tank for the tetras.

 

Oh, and you are so welcome. Everybody helps everybody here, there is no such thing as a stupid question, and certainly no such thing as too many questions. You may get differing opinions, but you will have information and knowledge to make a decision that is best for you and your fish.

 

it takes about ten minutes tops to test. it is only crucial until your tank is cycled as it makes it easier to know to do a water change.

OK, the Nitrogen Cycle down and dirty lol

Fish live in an enclosed space, they eat and breathe and eliminate in the water. A beneficial bacteria colony (BB) then takes charge. The wastes degrade to ammonia, very toxic. A BB will convert the ammonia to nitrItes, still toxic but less so. A different BB will convert the nitrItes to nitrAtes, toxic is high amounts. You do a water change to remove the nitrAtes, add fresh water with minerals and chemicals that the fish use up.

BB Colony: these live in your filter media. Some small percentage will live in the substrate, water column etc etc but over 90% will be in the media. So what you are aiming for is a colony of the BB's living in the filter media so that they can do all the converting. They occur in small numbers in regular water and will grow to be able to do all of the converting needed. They will only grow to the size that they are fed by the bioload (total amount of waste) in the tank. When everything is running well, you get waste, BB converts it to nitrAte in the end, you change the water and lower the nitrates and boom, you have a cycle.

Filter media: Your filter will likely come with a "cartridge" and the instructions will say to replace the cartridge monthly. This is hooey, the actual filter is the end point of you paying the company money. If they can con you into tossing a cartridge every month and buying a new one, constant stream of paying the company. Look up supercharging your filter on youtube, it shows ya how to do this. You want to go to walmart or other big box store with a craft department, get a pad of UNTREATED (marked on the front of the package) polyester like for stuffing pillows. It is about an inch or so thick. Go to cleaning supplies and get the little round untreated scrubbies, made of plastic. These will be your mechanical filtration and some BB will take up residence there too. The end point is that you can filter your water, and provide a home for lots of BB really really cheaply.

Care of BB: Every other week, when you do a water change, put some of the old tank water in a clean bucket, turn off your filter, take out whatever you are using for media and give it a gentle swish in the old water. This removes large bits of debris from your media, keeping your flow going from the filter. Replace the media into the filter and you have an intact BB colony, a smooth filter flow and you don't have to pay that company any more lol.

You can make a filter for the betta bowl with an airstone and some of the media by wrapping a length of the media around the stone and tying it off top and bottom (on the air tubing and at the bottom). What this does is the air creates bubbles from the stone, as the bubbles rise they pull water with them creating a current. This current of water will move through the media, eventually you will have a BB colony in the media and boom, a betta filter.

Please watch lots of youtube diy on aquariums, you can end up with a fab setup at little cost. That way you can save your money for a 20 gallon long tank for the tetras.

What an amazing answer!! A lightbulb has just gone off in my head... I really get it now, that info should be given to everyone starting up, phrased like that!!

Sorry to jump on your postead:

 

What an amazing answer!! A lightbulb has just gone off in my head... I really get it now, that info should be given to everyone starting up, phrased like that!!

Sorry to jump on your postead:

Glad it helped, I hate gobbledygook answers lol. Just make it plain and simple and I'm good to go. It usually is a starting point for further research and that is what makes the world go around.

No apologies needed, everyone contributes around here, and one answer can raise the next question so it too is a cycle.

 

GearsMan I know you like the fish and I know you want to keep it and I know people here can help you and I know this can work out.

BUT, I would suggest you give the fish away so that it can be happy. You are looking at at least 50+ dollar within a month time. And a lot of time and effort. And maintenance will still cost you regularly. Couple months back, I told my wife I want to get some guppy and promised her I won't spend more than 20 bucks on this. I am already over 120 dollars for a 10 gallon tank.

On a different note, you can order Prime online at walmart, I have seen Prime to be cheapest at Walmart.

 

GearsMan I know you like the fish and I know you want to keep it and I know people here can help you and I know this can work out.

BUT, I would suggest you give the fish away so that it can be happy. You are looking at at least 50+ dollar within a month time. And a lot of time and effort. And maintenance will still cost you regularly. Couple months back, I told my wife I want to get some guppy and promised her I won't spend more than 20 bucks on this. I am already over 120 dollars for a 10 gallon tank.

On a different note, you can order Prime online at walmart, I have seen Prime to be cheapest at Walmart.

Yes, it is possible to sink a whole lot of money into this hobby. Lord knows I have dropped a few C-notes lately, but it was a gift from my mother.
On the other hand, it can be done cheaply in the beginning. DIY things are wonderful and focusing on the issues as they come up. The only ongoing costs are the cost to run the powered units (filters, heaters, lights), a small nudge up in water usage and food. Not likely to break the bank. More things can be bought as either needed or fundage allow, christmas is coming up so there are gifts too.
This was a gift to Gearsman from a loving wife, I want them to know that this gift can be made to work without having to sacrifice any of the fish picked out and without putting a major dent in the budget.

 

Yes, it is possible to sink a whole lot of money into this hobby. Lord knows I have dropped a few C-notes lately, but it was a gift from my mother.
On the other hand, it can be done cheaply in the beginning. DIY things are wonderful and focusing on the issues as they come up. The only ongoing costs are the cost to run the powered units (filters, heaters, lights), a small nudge up in water usage and food. Not likely to break the bank. More things can be bought as either needed or fundage allow, christmas is coming up so there are gifts too.
This was a gift to Gearsman from a loving wife, I want them to know that this gift can be made to work without having to sacrifice any of the fish picked out and without putting a major dent in the budget.

I agree with you. But, I don't want them to suffer or the fish to suffer just because wife chose a hobby for him.

 

I am not sure why no one else mention this but you should focus on either caring for the Betta and re-homing the tetras or keeping the tetras and re-homing the Betta. Personally since you have budget constraints I would keep the Betta and the Shrimps in that new ten gallon with a filter, heater and, light. Re-home the tetras, they are a schooling fish that need at least 6 to feel safe, and need bigger then a ten gallon tank.

 

OK fellas, this is from a female perspective. His wife bought him this gift, we don't know if he had ever expressed an interest in the hobby or not. Maybe it is her that has the itch, or both of them. GearsMan is already invested in these fish, he has taken steps to remedy the issues, he has asked for help in keeping these fish. So by my reckoning, rehoming them now is not a solution.
He has ordered a larger tank for the tetras, maybe not the ideal one, but better. A betta can live comfortably in a 3g, maybe not ideal but once again, better. So, until he/they decide on either a larger tank or not doing fish, the tetras and betta will be ok. If they get really into it, they will ask the questions they need to and do the research they need to do.
He has an outline of how to do the best for them that he can right now. He was even willing to borrow money to do that. So I think both tanks will be ok for a bit.
A smart man does not immediately reject a gift from the wife (especially an anniversary gift) even it it does require some make do and save.

 

I understand where you are coming from. As much as I hate to part with the tetras I am stuck with them. That is not bad though because I love them. I went to Wal-Mart a bit ago and was just going to keep the beta. They would not take the tetras back, because I didn't have the receipt. It's a blessing in disguise I guess. The guy was really nice there too but said he couldn't help. I tried to do the right thing if you want to call it that but they wouldn't take them. I'm not saddened by this though I'm actually happy it gives me the motivation to try to keep them alive. I don't on know anyone with a Fish or aquarium and I'm also sketchy about just giving them away because I don't know how they will be taken care of.

OK fellas, this is from a female perspective. His wife bought him this gift, we don't know if he had ever expressed an interest in the hobby or not. Maybe it is her that has the itch, or both of them. GearsMan is already invested in these fish, he has taken steps to remedy the issues, he has asked for help in keeping these fish. So by my reckoning, rehoming them now is not a solution.
He has ordered a larger tank for the tetras, maybe not the ideal one, but better. A betta can live comfortably in a 3g, maybe not ideal but once again, better. So, until he/they decide on either a larger tank or not doing fish, the tetras and betta will be ok. If they get really into it, they will ask the questions they need to and do the research they need to do.
He has an outline of how to do the best for them that he can right now. He was even willing to borrow money to do that. So I think both tanks will be ok for a bit.
A smart man does not immediately reject a gift from the wife (especially an anniversary gift) even it it does require some make do and save.

I'm glad you understand. I had to secretly try to return the tetras. Yes my wife would of understood but I know her and she would of been upset at the same time. I tried to do what I thought was the right thing and walmart would not accept them. I'm not too relaxed about just giving them away either. Especially because I don't know anyone that had fish so I would just have to give them to a stranger. I know most people would say oh I've only had them a couple of days but I've been constantly checking on them and getting attached to them.

 

lol isn't wonderful how the universe works out? you and the fish will be fine if you make sure to stay on top of things. And I believe you will keep everything up nicely, after all the wife would beat ya if you didn't right?
just take it slow, do what you can when you can. if after the 10 gallon gets there and you get the tetras in it, and after a while you decide you don't want to do fish, you can always post on craigs list.
I started this time with one murderous crown tail betta because of a grandgirl, but man it gets addictive. I have an order coming for pygmy sunfish tomorrow and I am silly excited about it.

 

I'm sorry I am probably annoying you with so many questions, but I have a few more. As I was sleeping they just kept popping into my head. I reread all of thread and just had a few things I didn't quite get. Let me start off by saying all the fish doing well. I have a thermometer now to help with the water changes. I have been doing the 50 percent changes. My 10 gallon aquarium came in today. I wish I could go ahead and put the fish in it but the Prime won't be here until tomorrow night. The pump and tubing won't be here until then as well. Once I have the tank set up I can just use the Prime and treat the water letting it run for 24 hours, then I can put the fish in. After that you recommended doing a 50 percent water change everyday until the (BB) has colonized in the tank. Everytime I do the 50 percent water change I am suppose to treat the tap water with Prime correct? I am also to continue using the Prime forever on every water change now that I have it and I should use it instead of the BettaSafe because the Prime has more benefits. I should continue doing the daily water changes and logging the water test that I perform. After changing the water for a month or 2, I can stop doing the daily water changes. That is, if I perform the test and no ammonia is detected. Once I reach this point how often does the water need to be changed. Maybe just 30 percent every two weeks? Or does it still entirely depend on the test? Should I just keep doing the daily to make sure all the perimeters are safe then I can decide if I should change the water? once I get to the point where my fish tank is technically cycled.

lol isn't wonderful how the universe works out? you and the fish will be fine if you make sure to stay on top of things. And I believe you will keep everything up nicely, after all the wife would beat ya if you didn't right?
just take it slow, do what you can when you can. if after the 10 gallon gets there and you get the tetras in it, and after a while you decide you don't want to do fish, you can always post on craigs list.
I started this time with one murderous crown tail betta because of a grandgirl, but man it gets addictive. I have an order coming for pygmy sunfish tomorrow and I am silly excited about it.

One last thing I forgot to mention I now have a thermometer. It is slightly used but I bought it off a coworker that said he used to have fish. He said it is practically brand new.

I'm sorry I am probably annoying you with so many questions, but I have a few more. As I was sleeping they just kept popping into my head. I reread all of thread and just had a few things I didn't quite get. Let me start off by saying all the fish doing well. I have a thermometer now to help with the water changes. I have been doing the 50 percent changes. My 10 gallon aquarium came in today. I wish I could go ahead and put the fish in it but the Prime won't be here until tomorrow night. The pump and tubing won't be here until then as well. Once I have the tank set up I can just use the Prime and treat the water letting it run for 24 hours, then I can put the fish in. After that you recommended doing a 50 percent water change everyday until the (BB) has colonized in the tank. Everytime I do the 50 percent water change I am suppose to treat the tap water with Prime correct? I am also to continue using the Prime forever on every water change now that I have it and I should use it instead of the BettaSafe because the Prime has more benefits. I should continue doing the daily water changes and logging the water test that I perform. After changing the water for a month or 2, I can stop doing the daily water changes. That is, if I perform the test and no ammonia is detected. Once I reach this point how often does the water need to be changed. Maybe just 30 percent every two weeks? Or does it still entirely depend on the test? Should I just keep doing the daily to make sure all the perimeters are safe then I can decide if I should change the water? once I get to the point where my fish tank is technically cycled.

 

Once I have the tank set up I can just use the Prime and treat the water letting it run for 24 hours, then I can put the fish in.

I would set up the tank and add water (treated with Prime of course) then check the temperature. As soon as the temperature is the same as the 3 gallon I would move the tetras to the 10 gallon.

After that you recommended doing a 50 percent water change everyday until the (BB) has colonized in the tank. Everytime I do the 50 percent water change I am suppose to treat the tap water with Prime correct?

If there is still ammonia or nitrite in the water after the 50% water change do another one. You may have to do a 70% water change one day and 50% the next, it depends.
Yep, treat the new water with Prime every water change.

After changing the water for a month or 2, I can stop doing the daily water changes. That is, if I perform the test and no ammonia is detected.

Once the tank has 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and 0-20ppm nitrates you can stop the daily water changes.

Once I reach this point how often does the water need to be changed. Maybe just 30 percent every two weeks? Or does it still entirely depend on the test? Should I just keep doing the daily to make sure all the perimeters are safe then I can decide if I should change the water? once I get to the point where my fish tank is technically cycled.

Once the tank is cycled (0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and some nitrates) you can start doing water changes once or twice a week. Around 40-60% should be good. Keep nitrates below 20ppm, ideally below 10ppm. In the tank that has shrimp in you'll want to keep parameters perfect (0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and 0-10 nitrate)

Sorry to be harsh but I'd really try to rehome the tetras. For them to be happy you'd need 6-8 of each type in a tank of around 40 gallons+. Even rehoming one would be good as it would mean you don't have to get 5 more of that type. Could you try asking any local fish shops around you? Chain stores often won't take in fish but a smaller, local fish store might.

Sorry if you've already answered this but does the 3 gallon have a filter? And do either tanks have heaters?

 

Thank you for answering my questions. I put the heater I got on the 3 gallon. Neither the 3 gallon bowl or the 5 gallon bucket that I have the tetras in have a filter. I have been performing a daily 50 percent water change on them daily.

 

Nope, not annoying at all. There are no such things as stupid or too many questions.

You can go ahead and set up your tank, using the betta safe and add your tetras to it. It would be no different than having them in a bucket. The prime will help control ammonia and nitrites as they build up when it gets here.

You will do the water changes daily until you get your test kit and prime in. Use the betta safe until it is used up, it will dechlorinate the water.

Right now, until you get that bb colony, you will test every day and react according to the numbers. For a while, anywhere from a few weeks to more than a month, you are going to be doing water changes. Once that colony gets going, the water changes will lessen. Again, according to the numbers.

The general formula is if ammonia plus nitrites is 1ppm or over, do a water change. If the ammonia plus nitrites are less than 1ppm, just dose Prime.

 

Sorry that last reply was so long in getting posted, I was in the middle of writing it when I was called to take my sister to the ER. Totally forgot to hit post lol.

 

You need a filter in each of your tanks, or there will be nowhere for the beneficial bacteria to grow and your tank will not cycle at all. A simple sponge filter will do for the Betta tank; these are very inexpensive.