Hello!
I inherited a betta from my roommie when she moved out.
He's in a 2 gallon glass bowl but has been really unhappy/unhealthy since the cold weather started... He pretty much looks like he's on death's doorstep besides the occassional burst of energy or nest building. Not having exactly planned owning a betta I've been taking a bit of a crash course on them... So, I'm guessing part of his problem is that his little bowl is way too cold for him (64-66F, dropping further at night). Reluctantly discarding Plan A: tiny knitted fish sweaters, I went with Plan B: a 5 gallon aquarium set-up with a 25W heater set at 76/77F.
Having followed the directions that came with the set-up, (rinsing, filling, water conditioning, running filter for 24 hours - well, 48 hours now), I am supposedly able to add fish... but then I stumbled upon "cycling" online. So... are my directions lying to me? Cycling sounds pretty overwhelming... I mean, at least his cold bowl hasn't ever killed him from not being cycled properly.
I'm all for doing what needs to be done... but I'm worried that while the tank is cycling (for 4 to 8 weeks?) he'll succumb to diseases or such from being cold. He's so listless and has had a loss of appetite and some discoloration. I'm really worried about the poor guy.
Thanks for any advice!
I inherited a betta from my roommie when she moved out.
He's in a 2 gallon glass bowl but has been really unhappy/unhealthy since the cold weather started... He pretty much looks like he's on death's doorstep besides the occassional burst of energy or nest building. Not having exactly planned owning a betta I've been taking a bit of a crash course on them... So, I'm guessing part of his problem is that his little bowl is way too cold for him (64-66F, dropping further at night). Reluctantly discarding Plan A: tiny knitted fish sweaters, I went with Plan B: a 5 gallon aquarium set-up with a 25W heater set at 76/77F.
Having followed the directions that came with the set-up, (rinsing, filling, water conditioning, running filter for 24 hours - well, 48 hours now), I am supposedly able to add fish... but then I stumbled upon "cycling" online. So... are my directions lying to me? Cycling sounds pretty overwhelming... I mean, at least his cold bowl hasn't ever killed him from not being cycled properly.
I'm all for doing what needs to be done... but I'm worried that while the tank is cycling (for 4 to 8 weeks?) he'll succumb to diseases or such from being cold. He's so listless and has had a loss of appetite and some discoloration. I'm really worried about the poor guy.
Thanks for any advice!
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