Bettas!

[Upendi&Mina]

I just thought I'd bring up that Petco does sell the frozen brine shrimp since I thought you were implying in your previous post that they didn't. They also carry the NLS pellets, which are one of the two most recommended brands from betta people I've talked to. Although at least in my petco the NLS is not actually kept in the section of the store with all of the other betta items. I had to do some searching around in the store to find it.

The only thing about the nls is that it is a bit big for the babies, so it does need crushed.

 

[Julee]

I just thought I'd bring up that Petco does sell the frozen brine shrimp since I thought you were implying in your previous post that they didn't. They also carry the NLS pellets, which are one of the two most recommended brands from betta people I've talked to. Although at least in my petco the NLS is not actually kept in the section of the store with all of the other betta items. I had to do some searching around in the store to find it.

The only thing about the nls is that it is a bit big for the babies, so it does need crushed.

I'm half asleep, I'm sorry if I'm coming off as unclear or anything - I was confirming that they do sell brine shrimp and that the micro pellets aren't a good staple for them, lol.

 

[Upendi&Mina]

Yeah I stay away from the hikari. From what I understand they used to have decent formulas but then changed them. We stick with nls and omega one.

I also presoak all dry foods to try and help prevent constipation/bloat

 

[JessLough]

Rick decided tonight that he was going to take the plunge. He bought a rack ($20 at walmart, woo), four bettas, fake plants (will add real later) and we got some 2.5g bins. We use heat tape to heat our guys, way cheaper and way less cords than if we bought everyone an individual heater. Yay, bettas! He's expressed some interest in breeding, which I've done, so we will be importing from Thailand in a few months and going from there. So nice to have him be interested!

Im really, very glad that I have no room. Or this would have been me.

 

[Julee]

Hahaha, right now we're managing to fit all of his inverts and all of the fish in a closet with room to spare right now. This rack can hold 24 adults. We can get a rack and all of the bins to put on it (not including the fish or decor) for under $100.

 

[JessLough]

Hahaha, right now we're managing to fit all of his inverts and all of the fish in a closet with room to spare right now. This rack can hold 24 adults. We can get a rack and all of the bins to put on it (not including the fish or decor) for under $100.

Not that I, in anybody's mind, need 24 separate fish, but I think you should go find a link to show what you're using for rack. Or, you know, take a picture.
And, like, just normal storage bins?

Other people's setups intrigue me!

 

[crazedACD]

Rick decided tonight that he was going to take the plunge. He bought a rack ($20 at walmart, woo), four bettas, fake plants (will add real later) and we got some 2.5g bins. We use heat tape to heat our guys, way cheaper and way less cords than if we bought everyone an individual heater. Yay, bettas! He's expressed some interest in breeding, which I've done, so we will be importing from Thailand in a few months and going from there. So nice to have him be interested!

Too bad you weren't closer, I get NICE quality super deltas, super cheap. Oh and sometime dragon scales and plakats and double tails and all kinds of stuff. I cringe when the little kids and parents pick out some of the more fantastic ones, such a shame they don't know what they are getting .

 

[Julee]

Maybe we'll make the trek up sometime soon, crazed!

Jess, Rick and I are the same way, don't feel weird I like seeing how people's dog kennels are set up. And fish rooms. And invert rooms. And reptile rooms. Animal rooms in general. I'll get pictures up tonight (they're in Rick's closet and he's still asleep), but for now, here are our racks and bins:

These are not super heavy duty, I wouldn't trust them with anything heavier than what we're using them for, but they work nicely for bins. I prefer metal racks, but these work for now:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Plano-4-Shelf-Solid-Shelving-Unit-White-924400/17219642

Bins:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-Small-Nesting-Showoff-Blue-Eclipse/24415228

We take out the handle and it provides two little vent holes that they have no chance of being able to jump out of. The picture doesn't show it well, but for being thick plastic bins, they're pretty darn clear. I have a half gallon "tank" for nice pictures of the fish.

 

[Julee]

Everyone is a little bare-bones right now, I got them each at least one fake plant and ordered them some live java moss. I usually do exclusively bare bottom for betta bins, but Rick liked the gravel. Didn't have enough for my guy. Terrible cell phone pictures, go!

Grizzle crowntail female:

Red cambodian crowntail female:

Yellow grizzle halfmoon male:

Really dirty grizzle male (marked as a double tail, he is a halfmoon with tail split that will heal lol):

My orange dude's bin:

 

[Julee]

Fish rack:

Spider rack, just because (dubia on the bottom):

 

[JessLough]

Yay!

I actually really like that set up I may steal the idea have I ever a need for that many fish.

 

[Julee]

I definitely prefer metal racks, but this works beautifully for now!

Also, totally going to plug my favorite betta forum, because it really needs some new members and more activity:

www.ultimatebettas.com

 

[Upendi&Mina]

Hah I've been going to betta fish.com

Also the only way I would add another fish is if I came across a Dalmatian male.

 

[Laurelin]

King bettas are actually called giants (no idea why they picked "king", lol), and most are pretty old males.

I've always heard giants and kings were separate and the betta community did not know what kings were. I'd heard the thought that kings were just old bettas but my king lived as long as my other bettas or longer and he was HUGE. None of my other bettas came near his size. They all seem to be plakats as well. I have not seen a Petco King in a while though here.

My guy was just the coolest fish. I really think the kings need a 10 gallon+ though.

 

[Julee]

Kings and giants have always been synonymous as far as I'm aware. We have them regularly here (there was a super cute yellow boy yesterday). I agree, they definitely deserve the larger tanks. Once we're on our own, my breeders will all have glass 5.5g, but for now... very limited space.

 

[Laurelin]

My last fish died really recently so I took down the tank. Now I want to set it back up for a betta.

Y'all are bad influences.

I think I'm going to but need to clean things out first and get it cycling.

 

[Laurelin]

What are y'alls setups and specs for your baby betta tanks?

I'm reading 2-3 gallons and 80F. Filter?

 

[Julee]

I would go with more frequent water changes over a filter, they give off that growth stunting hormone and a filter isn't going to get rid of that. 2-3 gallons sounds great, larger would be fine but you might not be able to find him/her

80F is spot-on. A little lower would be fine (78ish) but they won't grow as quickly.

 

[Upendi&Mina]

I use a filter in Fred's five gallon but he's not a baby. I like cycled mature tanks for the adults.

The babies don't have a filter and get alternated 50% and 100% water changes daily to remove the growth stunting hormones. They are also currently in half gallons for now, both got stressed in larger tanks. As they get older they will be upgraded into a divided 5 gallon with filter. Their water is kept at 82 degrees.

 

[JessLough]

Welp, Berta and Lupin have switched tanks. Hopefully Lupin is fine in the 20 gallon, so I don't have to find room for another tank!