Intro-Slow Starter

[AlitaConejita]

Hi all,

I used to have a 29 gal tank with tetras almost a decade ago. Since then I've only had a betta for 3 yrs and now my 4yr old (therefore me) got a betta this month and I just got another tank with two African dwarf frogs. I'm planning to improve my current aquatic friends' environment and may-be get a few fish in a community tank- but with 3 kids, working on my doctorate, and limited finances - it will be a slow start.

I look forward to learning from you guys as I re-enter this hobby

 

[Blondielovesfish]

to the forum.
 
I'd love to see some pictures of your Bettas and their tanks

 

[ncguppy830]

welcome to the forum!

 

[TallTree01]

Hi!

 

[tmoney7]

 to the forum!!

 

[BrianMcC]

hey welcome and everyone has to start somewhere!

 

[AlitaConejita]

I don't have any pictures of Jules [Verne] (the betta I had for 3 years) because I had him at work and it would look a little weird to be taking pictures in my cube He was a beatufily dark blue with a pinky/red that reminded me of jewels. I've read plenty on betta genetics ... colors and such so I know that he wouldn't be considered a prized jewel - more like a mutt, but I enjoyed looking at him A co-worker of mine took over his keep when I moved 8 states north to start grad school.
 
I took a few pictures of Jack Frost with my iphone but they are not very good. Jack is VERY active, he hardly stays still long enough for the camera to focus on him. The pictures make him look darker than he is. Most of his blue is actually very light - like a sky or ice blue (which is why my daughter convinced her brother that his name should be Jack Frost from the "Rise of the Guardians" movie). His aquarium is pretty small (2 gal) and basic: a thermometer, 2 fake plants, gravel, and some stones that are similar in coloring to Jack. I know I need to find a bigger tank - and I will get one when I can. I have a heater in my ADF tank and I will either get Jack his own or put him in with the ADFs when it gets cold enough that he needs warmer water (preferably keep them separate as Jack eats anything and everything and I don't want him to starve the ADFs).
 
I was going to attach a picture of Jack and his aquarium, but I couldn't figure it out - for images I just get an option for a URL and I couldn't browse to my pictures in "my media" either.

 

[AlitaConejita]

OK - watched the tutorial on posting pictures - not thrilled I have to upload my pics to yet another site (photobucket in this case) prior to posting them here, but oh well.
Jack's Aquarium (till I get a bigger one):
Blurry close up of Jack (best I could do):
 
His blue is closer to that of the stones in the aquarium than I was able to capture.

 

[ncguppy830]

Nice BEtta! be careful with plastic plants as they can rip your bettas fins, jjst do the pantyhose test to see if there safe.

 

[AlitaConejita]

Fake SILK plants

Thanks for the complement - I do think he is quite beautiful (my son picked him out)

 

[Ninjouzata]

Make sure you are doing water changes for him since there is no filter, what is his temp staying at? 
Pretty little guy by the way

 

[AlitaConejita]

I am checking ammonia levels and doing regular water changes. His temperature stays around 76-78 degrees. I think it has been as high as 80 and as low as 74 but I have a terrible memory, so I should probably start logging his temps I know it is always in the green range of the thermometer which is supposed to be for tropical fish. Right now his temp is at 77 degrees.

 

[Ninjouzata]

Well glad to hear that! They can be kept at 78-86, though I think most people keep them in the 78-82 range. 80 is a nice number

Looking forward to seeing what you upgrade him to, always interesting to see how others do their tanks.

 

[AlitaConejita]

hmm - so my temps are a little low. I guess I need to a get a heater sooner than I hoped.
 
I am really excited about starting a new tank - I had a lot of fun with my "big" 29 gal tank many years ago but I have to go slow (bummer!) My local pet store has a machine to collect glass and plastic bottles that we get money back for recycling so I am collecting all my bottles and taking them there to offset the pet costs (my husband is not really into pets of any kind but he'll tolerate them as long as they don't hurt the monthly finances - he's the sensible one in our relationship )

 

[hrtattk73]

welcome. no better hobby to enter slowly.... the fish we keep prefer things done that way best of luck to you. and bettas are amazing fish!