Torpid_BeachBum
Aquarium Advice Newbie
Ok, I've never had a fish before and two weeks ago I decided to make the leap! I purchased a male Betta (now 'Teleuse') from Petsmart and set him up in a larger than normal vase w/ small flat-faced marbles and a java fern. Temporarily.
Today I acquired a ten gallon tank from a friend who used to keep snakes in it. I cleaned it out (no soap or chemicals, just LOTS of hot water *whew*). I cleaned off the marbles and dropped them to the bottom of the tank. Needless to say, they do not cover the full width and breadth of the tank. Is that necessary?
I grabbed an old glass jar from the cupboard, cleaned it, dropped it into the middle of the new tank, and put the java fern inside. Teleuse can find his way in and out as he pleases (I discovered this with much relief) and the java roots hide him pretty well.
I filled up the tank 3/4 with tap water, mixing in enough water conditioner for a 15gal just in case.
I let Teleuse chill in a little plastic cup, pinned to the side, butt end in the tank water for maybe 5 minutes. Then let him go.
He seems to be adapting well, every 20 minutes or so he poofs out for a few seconds and then chills. I'm pretty sure still acclamating to his new surroundings. He doesn't look stressed. I gave him a chunk of frozen blood worms to make him feel better, too.
I know I need a filter and heater/lamp, I have no pH tester for the moment, and have just ghetto-rigged my betta a tank... For this I am sorry.
Can anyone please tell me what conditions are proper for him in this big new tank, and what I should be looking for. Anything! Any and all suggestions would rock my world!
Thanks<33
Today I acquired a ten gallon tank from a friend who used to keep snakes in it. I cleaned it out (no soap or chemicals, just LOTS of hot water *whew*). I cleaned off the marbles and dropped them to the bottom of the tank. Needless to say, they do not cover the full width and breadth of the tank. Is that necessary?
I grabbed an old glass jar from the cupboard, cleaned it, dropped it into the middle of the new tank, and put the java fern inside. Teleuse can find his way in and out as he pleases (I discovered this with much relief) and the java roots hide him pretty well.
I filled up the tank 3/4 with tap water, mixing in enough water conditioner for a 15gal just in case.
I let Teleuse chill in a little plastic cup, pinned to the side, butt end in the tank water for maybe 5 minutes. Then let him go.
He seems to be adapting well, every 20 minutes or so he poofs out for a few seconds and then chills. I'm pretty sure still acclamating to his new surroundings. He doesn't look stressed. I gave him a chunk of frozen blood worms to make him feel better, too.
I know I need a filter and heater/lamp, I have no pH tester for the moment, and have just ghetto-rigged my betta a tank... For this I am sorry.
Can anyone please tell me what conditions are proper for him in this big new tank, and what I should be looking for. Anything! Any and all suggestions would rock my world!
Thanks<33