My Heater Keeps My Water 78-82 DEpending On Wether Or Not I Have My Windows Open.
That's a <i>bit</i> too much fluctuation IMO. Mine is from 78 - 80, at worst. You might want to look into exchanging the heater for a more accurate one. People here like the 6" visitherm, I use the 6" hagen radiant and it works well. My room gets cold at night (low 70s to the mid 60s, a little bit higher now in the summer) and it keeps it well within range.
A Long Time Ago In This Thread, Someone Said They Liked To Use Clay Flower Pots As Caves For A Betta? I've Never Seen Bettas Paying Much Attention To The Decor. What I Have So Far On My List For This Future 2.5:
A Lighthouse Aquarium Decoration
A Few Silk Plants
A Small Bag Of Gravel.
Bettas do like some kinds of decor when they settle down. They like to sleep in plants and the clay pots are great for two reasons: some bettas sleep in there, as Leopardess mentioned, and it provides a hiding spot if your betta is feeling stressed. A well adjusted betta might not even seem to notice a flower pot, but it gives him peace of mind; bettas and most small aquarium fish are prey for larger fish and animals; when they feel like they can't hide they get stressed. I originally thought about putting ghost shrimp into my betta tank, but for numerous reasons decided against it (bio-load, my inexperience, size of the tank, and the fact that my fish sleeps near the bottom of the tank), and the cave was originally for them, but my betta likes it now. The current in my Minibow is higher than I would like, but my little guy likes to rest on the far side of the pot, presumably because the current is low in that area. Your betta won't care about the lighthouse - becareful it doesn't take up too much space (swimming room!) and it won't hurt your fish. I have about 3 medium silk plants in there and I wouldn't put much more unless you bunched them or something. Open space is important for bettas, as well as cover.
Do You Cycle An Aquarium That Small, Or Can You Get Away?
From what I understand you don't have to worry about cycling, just keep one betta and do the water changes. Another member mentioned having good results using media from an established tank, but if you keep on the water changes you should be fine (don't get slack or you'll be in for problems!).
Good observation, Leopardess, I was wondering the same thing, but decided to keep my mouth shut on the subject.
That's a <i>bit</i> too much fluctuation IMO. Mine is from 78 - 80, at worst. You might want to look into exchanging the heater for a more accurate one. People here like the 6" visitherm, I use the 6" hagen radiant and it works well. My room gets cold at night (low 70s to the mid 60s, a little bit higher now in the summer) and it keeps it well within range.
A Long Time Ago In This Thread, Someone Said They Liked To Use Clay Flower Pots As Caves For A Betta? I've Never Seen Bettas Paying Much Attention To The Decor. What I Have So Far On My List For This Future 2.5:
A Lighthouse Aquarium Decoration
A Few Silk Plants
A Small Bag Of Gravel.
Bettas do like some kinds of decor when they settle down. They like to sleep in plants and the clay pots are great for two reasons: some bettas sleep in there, as Leopardess mentioned, and it provides a hiding spot if your betta is feeling stressed. A well adjusted betta might not even seem to notice a flower pot, but it gives him peace of mind; bettas and most small aquarium fish are prey for larger fish and animals; when they feel like they can't hide they get stressed. I originally thought about putting ghost shrimp into my betta tank, but for numerous reasons decided against it (bio-load, my inexperience, size of the tank, and the fact that my fish sleeps near the bottom of the tank), and the cave was originally for them, but my betta likes it now. The current in my Minibow is higher than I would like, but my little guy likes to rest on the far side of the pot, presumably because the current is low in that area. Your betta won't care about the lighthouse - becareful it doesn't take up too much space (swimming room!) and it won't hurt your fish. I have about 3 medium silk plants in there and I wouldn't put much more unless you bunched them or something. Open space is important for bettas, as well as cover.
Do You Cycle An Aquarium That Small, Or Can You Get Away?
From what I understand you don't have to worry about cycling, just keep one betta and do the water changes. Another member mentioned having good results using media from an established tank, but if you keep on the water changes you should be fine (don't get slack or you'll be in for problems!).
Good observation, Leopardess, I was wondering the same thing, but decided to keep my mouth shut on the subject.
