Bethy's Last Stand (and more)

[bethyMT]

Northerly, thanks for actually looking at the pictures. I kinda hoped somebody would respond to my posts here and to my crappy pics. But perhaps I am right - nobody cares. 'Cept you!

Anyway, I will be using ammonia for the cycle. I did it on the 55. Glad you like the way the 55 looks...I'm quite proud of it. It is lush with plants and I have a nice mini-ecosystem going. Even the algae has its place.

If I have it my way, this little tank is gonna be beautiful. Nothing fake, all real plants, all designed carefully, with one (I really really really hope)healthy happy female betta. My daughter (the 5 year old) has preemptively named her Sunshine.

[steeler1]

Your big Tank looks good! How are those otto's doing?

[Northerly]

Good luck! And if that 10 gallon is up to par with the 55, it'll be damn impressive. Keep up the progress:)

[bethyMT]

Steeler, the otos are doing fine. Here's a pic of a fat belly.

Here is a few more gratuitous photos, hopefully better ones, of the larger tank.

[Shidohari]

OMG I LOVE THOSE...they're awesome

[bethyMT]

Shidohari, yes, they're wonderful. I was surprised that I only lost one in the acclimation process which died after a week in the tank. The six that remain are healthy and fat. They LOVE cucumber. My daughter named them all Otto. Creative, I know.

Update on the 10gal - I ordered a sponge filter on ebay yesterday. Boy it was cheap. I am also looking to buy a LED strip from ebay, but the seller needs to tell me the wattage per light first. I'm not looking for fancy, but I don't want it to be useless either.

I am really debating throwing out the anubias and moss balls from the 5gal, although these are such nice plants. I am just worried about bacteria transfer. RIght now they are sitting in a bowl of water on my kitchen counter, in plant limbo. They can't be disinfected, can they? Driftwood is now in the tank, as well as the heater. It's coming along.

[steeler1]

Here's what you can use:
Alum USP Available at drug stores. This kills bacteria and snail eggs. 10 teaspoons to a gallon of water. Soak the plants for up to three days.
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[bethyMT]

Ugh. I just found Old Girl, the nine year old (freak of nature) australian rainbow, dead. I'm so sad. I think age finally caught up to her, the tough broad.

Her obit is in the rainbow section.

[bethyMT]

Here's an update on the 10gal.

It's pretty much set up now...anubias is tied on the driftwood, other plants are in, both filters are running (that sponge filter is kind of huge). I think I'm going to dose it with ammonia and start the cycle today. Hope it goes well. It needs a few more background plants, but there is time for that.

Also, as far as stocking goes, one betta girl in this tank is going to look empty and very boring. I am hoping she will tolerate some tiny tankmates, such as frogs (although keeping frogs intimidates me) or perhaps a small school of neons, if such a thing is humane. I do want it to be a little interesting.

Here's some pics! Sorry they are full of glare...I don't know why I keep trying to take pics when the sun is blasting in the fish room. The first pic is the overall view of the thing. Second is my less-than-awesome light setup...two LED fixtures (one new marineland one and the one that came with the 5gal). The third is my attempt to hide the sponge filter, which is hard to do at this point.

[bethyMT]

This is just a little text update. The plans have changed a little. They change a lot with me. The 10gal is now sitting on my kitchen counter...I figured that a single betta would need some entertainment, and he's sure to find it in my family! We're always doing something in the kitchen, or the TV room, which adjoining (no wall).

This tank is definitely going to house a half-giant (or King) betta when it's done cycling. I checked them out at petco today, and I just love them. One will fill out this tank nicely. They are expensive, but I don't care.

I'll take some pictures of the tank in it's new spot tomorrow...it's dark now and I think the flash will reflect badly. It is loaded with plants, and looks kinda messy right now, but it'll get better. Always something to fuss with.