Betta Display, originally uploaded by Joseph Hoetzl. AK wrote, Hey there, Just stumbled across your website and i think its great. I am a first time owner and am so excited. We named him Jean-Michel, after the famous eighties art star:) So we did decide to go with a 1 gal. bowl. I understand that is a little small now and will be changing soon, but for now I wanted to know … [Read more...] about Heating Betta Bowls
Equipment
Installing an Air Stone
Betta Bubble Maker, originally uploaded by devroka. Q: MS wrote, I recently rescued a Betta fish from being the leftover of a center piece at a wedding and I just setup a tank for the little guy in my apartment.I purchased 1.5 gallon tank and the tank came with an airstone system in it. Now I have been trying to read up as much as possible online regarding Betta, and I … [Read more...] about Installing an Air Stone
Hot Hot Hot! Betta Bowl Temperature Spikes
betta femmina, originally uploaded by altiebassi. Q: AC wrote, I just got a betta fish a few days ago and have been keeping him on a heating pad to make sure he doesn’t get too cold. However, I think someone may have bumped the control accidentally, heating my poor fish to about 10 degrees higher than the bowl have been before. I immediately took the bowl off the pad to let … [Read more...] about Hot Hot Hot! Betta Bowl Temperature Spikes
Upgrading Your Betta Bowl
Jonah, originally uploaded by Jon & Brigid. Q: JL wrote, I have a 10 gl tank that I started in December 2006. I purchased a goldfish and 2 snails. After about a month the goldfish died and I have had the 2 snails in there since. I change the water partially weekly (can you recommend a good conditioner for tap water? I have been using distilled water) and I change the … [Read more...] about Upgrading Your Betta Bowl
Spring Cleaning: The Feng Shui Aquarium
Black Velvet in motion, originally uploaded by RyanThomas. HG wrote, I have a black betta fish that is living in a feng shui glass container with bamboo and rocks. How would I go about cleaning the glass container? A: I’m not really well versed in feng shui but I can tell you that spring is good time for cleaning house and bringing in positive energy and it’s a great … [Read more...] about Spring Cleaning: The Feng Shui Aquarium
Yucky Floating Debris in Betta Tank
Photo provided by reader JE. Here you can see all the floating debris suspended in the water. Is this detritus or something else? Q: JE wrote, I hate to be a bother but I can’t find any literature that describes what on earth is going on with my Betta Elton. I’ve had him since October. He was a gift (from walmart) so we have had issues regarding fin rot. It wasn’t too … [Read more...] about Yucky Floating Debris in Betta Tank
Even Filtration in a Divided Tank
Were big bettas, originally uploaded by liyah73. Q: NB wrote, I’m setting up a divided 10 gal for my two males. I have a store bought mesh tank divider, which should work fine but I’m afraid the filter is only going to clean one side of the tank. The holes in the mesh are so small I don’t see how it’s going to work for the other side. Is this going to be a problem? A: … [Read more...] about Even Filtration in a Divided Tank
Glossary: Detritus (Mulm)
Dirty Tank (which has been cleaned!!!), originally uploaded by blaqphlegm. In the aquarium, detritus (often called mulm) is organic material made up of fragments of fish waste, uneaten food particles, dead animals, mucus, shed skin and decaying plant matter. It is commonly suspended in the water and sucked into the filter but in conditions where there is little water movement, … [Read more...] about Glossary: Detritus (Mulm)
Betta Care for the Novice
Black Velvet in motion Originally uploaded by RyanThomas. Happy New Year Betta Blog readers! I hope you had a terrific holiday. Mine was wonderful as I spent it at the not-so-sunny Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fl. No bother, a rainy vacation in Florida is better then a sunny one in D.C. anyway. Still, I’m glad to be back as I have tons of plans for Nippyfish.net and … [Read more...] about Betta Care for the Novice
Choosing a Substrate for a Betta Tank
Miles with Glass Fish Originally uploaded by Unkoine. Q: TI wrote, What is the best substrate to use in a Betta tank? A: There is more than one answer to your question because, truthfully, it depends. There are a variety of substrates out there ranging from fine sand to gravel to rocks or marbles. Choosing which one is right depends a little bit on the type of set up you … [Read more...] about Choosing a Substrate for a Betta Tank