TLDR: My students got me a fish from the local PetSmart. I’ve never cared for a fish before. Does she look healthy and does her setup look ok?
My students “surprised” me with a fish when they came to study hall yesterday. I went to PetSmart afterwards and bought a tank and then ordered a bunch of stuff on Amazon/went back to petco and PetSmart for things I forgot.
I just want to make sure I did everything right and that everything I put in her tank is safe for her. Here’s what I used/did:
Tank: Topfin 5G bowfront dual betta aquarium (I only have one in there and will not be getting another). Rinsed it, dried it, added substrate.
Substrate: 10lbs Aqua Natural Diamond Black. The listing said it was “fine”? Rinsed it and added it to tank.
Heater: Tetra 50W submersible heater.
Air Pump: Uniclife Twin Outlet Air Pump 4W, 4L/min. I set it to the lowest setting.
Sponge Filter: Hygger bio sponge filter for 0.5-5G aquariums.
Added tap water, added 5mL API QuickStart and 1mL API Tap Water Conditioner.
Added a rock cave thing (rinsed it first). Added an Anubis Sp/A. Hastifolia (idk the name, the fish section employee at PetSmart recommended it so that’s what I bought).
Tested pH using the API freshwater master test kit. It was high so I added 2 mL of API pH Down and retested. Tested ammonia using the same test kit as above.
Put her pet store Tupperware in the water for 30 minutes with her inside. Used a net to add her to the tank. That’s where I’m at now.
One of the videos I watched said to have powder medicines on hand so I got a box of API General Cure and API Fin and Body Cure.
Last night , I fed her 2 pellets of Aqueon Betta Food, which she did not eat.
I’m trying to do this as thoroughly as possible but also as mindfully of the cost as possible, as this was completely unexpected and I did not budget for this. Does this setup look ok for now? What should I look to add or change once I’m able to make the space more hospitable for her? Does she look healthy? When should I try and feed her again?
TIA!!
https://v.redd.it/yzowezwculrd1
Posted by e4ro
1 Comment
Sheesh. You’re a very gracious gift receiver! Obviously a really well intended gift, but getting a live animal unexpectedly is a lot! So, for starters kudos to you for not missing a beat and making sure this new addition is well cared for. I am also a newb and learning as I go. Wasn’t even an impulse buy, I just wasn’t nearly as prepared as I should’ve been. So here’s my “dammit I wish I did this from the start” crash course…
* check the “guide to the nitrogen cycle” linked in the mod auto reply and commit to doing the “fish in cycle”
* hold off on the pH adjusters, especially based off readings from test strips; I completely f’ed my new betta (and his tank) up with “pH Up” … with that said…
* the liquid drop tests for pH and ammonia are WAY more accurate than the test strips… I bought a liquid pH test, but on its own it was useless because the pH in my tank was so high, I needed a higher range test
* I truly hate recommending spending more money on something, but the “API Master Test Kit” is completely worth it; I got it from PetSmart 20% off by doing an online “pick up” order
* when you need to restock on water conditioner, get SeaChum Prime… it’s super concentrated so last much longer and seems to be the gold standard according to this sub
* keep in mind that new tank conditions can fluctuate; speaking from regrettable personal experience, try to resist the urge to add extra stuff to the water… regular water cycles with conditioned water will make it much easier for your new betta to adjust to its new home