Post by Red☠Frost on Jan 6, 2017 17:45:13 GMT
LOVE AIN'T EASY WHEN IT AIN'T MY WAY
No we will learn all about my tanks, fish, and the story behind how I got into betta splendens. I hope you're comfortable, cause this might turn into a long post...
Last year, I met my first betta fish. My Reading for Pleasure teacher had brought hers in a wide vase with river rocks for substrate. I was instantly in love with the breed of fish, and had been wanting one since then.
Then, eight months later, I finally decided that I had waited long enough, and went out on my birthday, Nov. 16th, to go get all that I needed. I made the poor mistake of going to the PetSmart near me, and ended up realizing that that store in particular was really crummy. Anyway, I asked what all I should get for a betta, and got a National Geographic single gallon tank, some small plants, and a large plant. I also got a little stone hut for him. Finally, I got the fish food, treats, conditioner, and went to choose a fish.
Sadly, I hadn't done much research. I had just relied on the salesperson to tell me all I would need to know about these fish. I didn't realize that I should choose a lively one, and picked out a sad-looking, blue veil tail. I named him Little Man.
He died that night.
During school the next day, after taking care of Little Man's body and tank, I did better research on the breed. I learned that I needed to choose a fish that was swimming around and flaring at the other males, and that I needed a larger tank, and that the PetCo near me was a better store. At the moment, I could only get a 1.7 gallon tank (Imagitarium Hexagonal Tank) that had a bubbler and LED light on the hood. Then I bought a red, blue, and white halfmoon betta male. I named him Ryu, which is a Japanese dragon.
I changed the water in his tank once a week, fed him, and even left him in the care of my sister for a week while I was visiting my dad in Florida, and he is still swimming on and flaring at any possible fish!
For Christmas, I got a 10 gallon tank for him from my parents. With a floating log, the plants I got originally, and a new dragon bubbler, it seemed a little empty, and I ended up spending another $40 on supplies for his hidy holes and a mystery snail Mango.
Then, a few weeks later, my friend gave me a 5 gallon tank kit. Finally, I could care for a female sorority. I moved Ryu and his supplies over to the 5 gallon and put the blue, pink, and green gravel from the 5 gallon to the 10 gallon. I bought several plants, hidy holes, and another, smaller, floating log for the tank. I let it cycle, and went and got 4 baby girls and a similar-sized crowntail girl from PetCo (I don't have LPS) and named them Padme, Leia, Rey, Jyn, and Artoo.
The white crowntail died overnight. Her fins were fine, so I think she just wasn't fit for a sorority. I wish I had known so that I didn't take her somewhere stressful...
The next day, I went to PetSmart and got a new, smaller dragon bubbler for Ryu and a grown halfmoon blue/green and brown female named Aayla. She seems to tolerate the other girls, except for Leia.
A week after starting the sorority, my grandma gave me money to get a stand and 10 gallon aquarium kit! It's black/white themed and is divided. A turquoise dragon mustard gas delta tail betta male is on the left side. The right is empty for now.
I have found some tips for air pumps, strong filters, and a few things here and there, which I will be posting in the Tips & Tutorials section! There's also one for sororities.
Last year, I met my first betta fish. My Reading for Pleasure teacher had brought hers in a wide vase with river rocks for substrate. I was instantly in love with the breed of fish, and had been wanting one since then.
Then, eight months later, I finally decided that I had waited long enough, and went out on my birthday, Nov. 16th, to go get all that I needed. I made the poor mistake of going to the PetSmart near me, and ended up realizing that that store in particular was really crummy. Anyway, I asked what all I should get for a betta, and got a National Geographic single gallon tank, some small plants, and a large plant. I also got a little stone hut for him. Finally, I got the fish food, treats, conditioner, and went to choose a fish.
Sadly, I hadn't done much research. I had just relied on the salesperson to tell me all I would need to know about these fish. I didn't realize that I should choose a lively one, and picked out a sad-looking, blue veil tail. I named him Little Man.
He died that night.
During school the next day, after taking care of Little Man's body and tank, I did better research on the breed. I learned that I needed to choose a fish that was swimming around and flaring at the other males, and that I needed a larger tank, and that the PetCo near me was a better store. At the moment, I could only get a 1.7 gallon tank (Imagitarium Hexagonal Tank) that had a bubbler and LED light on the hood. Then I bought a red, blue, and white halfmoon betta male. I named him Ryu, which is a Japanese dragon.
I changed the water in his tank once a week, fed him, and even left him in the care of my sister for a week while I was visiting my dad in Florida, and he is still swimming on and flaring at any possible fish!
For Christmas, I got a 10 gallon tank for him from my parents. With a floating log, the plants I got originally, and a new dragon bubbler, it seemed a little empty, and I ended up spending another $40 on supplies for his hidy holes and a mystery snail Mango.
Then, a few weeks later, my friend gave me a 5 gallon tank kit. Finally, I could care for a female sorority. I moved Ryu and his supplies over to the 5 gallon and put the blue, pink, and green gravel from the 5 gallon to the 10 gallon. I bought several plants, hidy holes, and another, smaller, floating log for the tank. I let it cycle, and went and got 4 baby girls and a similar-sized crowntail girl from PetCo (I don't have LPS) and named them Padme, Leia, Rey, Jyn, and Artoo.
The white crowntail died overnight. Her fins were fine, so I think she just wasn't fit for a sorority. I wish I had known so that I didn't take her somewhere stressful...
The next day, I went to PetSmart and got a new, smaller dragon bubbler for Ryu and a grown halfmoon blue/green and brown female named Aayla. She seems to tolerate the other girls, except for Leia.
A week after starting the sorority, my grandma gave me money to get a stand and 10 gallon aquarium kit! It's black/white themed and is divided. A turquoise dragon mustard gas delta tail betta male is on the left side. The right is empty for now.
I have found some tips for air pumps, strong filters, and a few things here and there, which I will be posting in the Tips & Tutorials section! There's also one for sororities.
BUT IT GETS HARD, WHEN YOU AIN'T HERE MAKING ME CRAZY
ulla
