Acceptable fish & plan for my tank

[saffikeagan]

Anyone else start doubting their ability to differentiate colors when staring at the color strips and the test tubes on the testing kit? I haven't spent so much time trying to figure out which two colors are the same since pre-pre-k.

Thanks for the filter idea, Just. If it looks like Sammie thinks the current is too strong, I will definitely try it. Right now he is having fun exploring the various items I'm putting in his Tupperware lodgings to keep him occupied. He enjoyed exploring the glass maison jar, now he's got a coffee mug and a round hoop to swim around and explore. I know, I need to go back to the fish store and buy some actual fish toys.

I do have one other concern, though. I live in the land of Air Conditioning and 100+ Weather. At night my apartment cools down to 76-78ish, but during the day, it can get up to 85+ in my apartment. His water probably is not experiencing as much of a swing, but I'm still concerned that this can stress him out. However, I really can't do much about the fact that I live in a sauna. Any suggestions? Is this something I need to worry about?

[marchmaxima]

Originally Posted by JustOneMore20

If the filter proves to be too strong and you have a hang on back type, you can cut a water or small soda bottle to put over the outflow and slow down the flow. Here is a link with pics: PetFish.Net Articles And Reviews / Filter Currents: A Betta's Worst Nightmare

I use this on tanks with HOBs and alot of plants so they don't get uprooted. I've used it with Bettas as well.

So simple, yet brilliant!

[Purrbox]

Originally Posted by saffikeagan

Anyone else start doubting their ability to differentiate colors when staring at the color strips and the test tubes on the testing kit? I haven't spent so much time trying to figure out which two colors are the same since pre-pre-k.

There are certain kits that simply give me fits trying to read, and it's even worse for those that have some form of color blindness. I'd love to get one of those meters that gives you a digital readout of the results, but unfortunately they cost a pretty penny.

[new2betas]

The test kit I use (API) also has hard to read cards at times. Sometimes the colors are so close that I can't tell which reading to go with....

[saffikeagan]

I have the API too, and the Nitrate and the Ammonia are extremely difficult for me. I've finally given up trying to be 100% correct and just settled on writing 2-4ish for the ammonia as it really doesn't matter at this point in my cycle if I'm more accurate than that.

[SpeedEuphoria]

Originally Posted by saffikeagan

I have the API too, and the Nitrate and the Ammonia are extremely difficult for me. I've finally given up trying to be 100% correct and just settled on writing 2-4ish for the ammonia as it really doesn't matter at this point in my cycle if I'm more accurate than that.

I found the same thing as I'm new and have an API kit. It also seems that the nitrite blue would stain the test tubes a little, so if I used that one for ammonia it would be slightly green with a known zero ammonia source. I need to get some of those little test tube pipe cleaners or something to clean them with.

[CatatonicBug]

Originally Posted by SpeedEuphoria

I found the same thing as I'm new and have an API kit. It also seems that the nitrite blue would stain the test tubes a little, so if I used that one for ammonia it would be slightly green with a known zero ammonia source. I need to get some of those little test tube pipe cleaners or something to clean them with.

I have not seen any staining at all with any of the test reagents. The test tubes are glass, and designed to not absorb the chemicals, so rinsing after each test has proven to clean mine perfectly. I figure that by the time I run out of testing chemicals, I will have to buy a new kit anyway, so that will force me to swap out the tubes and caps. The caps are the only real concern to me, but only because I have had them leak on me while shaking the Nitrate test. I have determined that those reagents are not a happy mix with my skin...