(Arms crossed in fustration) I've been dooped! Thank you all for the feed back. Hey Mumma and Godfan, if you don't mind, can I ask you all a few questions I asked the workers at large chain "Pet" stores (that I'll rather not name)?
AH THE NEIGHBORHOOD CHAIN STORE! DONT GET USE STARTED ON THEM LOL
1. So I guess its obvious now that 6 bettas in a 10gal tank wasn't a good idea(so I won't even mention the 3 I have in a 5.5gal tank). Yet ALL the employees said, "Bettas live in small rice patties in the wild, so small bowls are good enough - a 10gal tank is more than enough space for them".
THEY LIVE IN RICE PADDIES, YES. THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN A RICE PADDY BEFORE LOL. IMO 2.5g IS THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM FOR A SINGLE BETTA 5g EACH WOULD BE EVEN BETTER
2. When getting the 10gal I asked if I should use a heater and EVERYONE said, "NO, Bettas don't need heated water, room temperature was enough", therefore I didn't get a thermometer until weeks later. The fish were lathargic suffering from clamp fins etc. I lost a few betta realizing that during the summer months the house was at 78deg, but evenings with the AC on, it would dip to 62-65deg. That daily drastic temp change must've stressed the fish to the limit. After realizing & reseaching, I got heaters, thermometers, and now maintain a temp of 78-82deg in all my tanks.
ITS GREAT THAT THEY HAVE HEATERS. THEY COME FROM A TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT SO OUR ROOM TEMP IS ACTUALLY COLD FOR THEM. 80F IS PERFECT.
3. I read in various post that mettafix isn't good for your fish, which would explain why everytime I used it a betta died. Yet my pet store "experts", swear by it.
OTHERS MAY DISAGREE BUT IMP MELAFIX ISNT FOR BETTAS. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ I WOULDN'T TRUST IT AT ALL.
4. I was told that bettas are freshwater fish and all they need is water conditioner. Yet researching suggest using aquarium salt to provide a protective coat and electrolytes for their bodies, therefore I add it in every water change. Should I continue or stop?
SALT IS NOT NEEDED. GREAT FOR A TREATMENT/MEDICATION BUT NOT FOR ALL THE TIME. FRESHWATER FISH NEED FRESH WATER
5. I recently read in a post that those water test strips are not accurate, yet this is what I was given and use them weekly. Is this true, should I get the test tube mix type?
YEP TEST STRIPS SUCK. THEY CAN BE VERY INACCURATE. GET YOURSELF A LIQUID TEST KIT. API MASTER TEST KITS IS THE MOST WIDELY RECOMMENDED.
Sorry for the barrage of questions, but I would like to get set on the right track before more of my bettas perish. Thanks in advance.