Newbie-ish tank questions

[Indigo]

Silverfire - I'd suggest to buy the tank locally, then shop online for everything else. Better selection, WAY better prices. I've gotten a heater from www.mops.ca and I'm thinking of ordering supplies from www.jlaquatics.com for my next tank. MOPS is based somewhere in southern ontario, J&L Aquatics is more SW leaning, but still has lots of FW stuff, and are based near Vancouver. Also, there's www.bigalsonline.ca but its cheaper, exchange rate and all to buy from their american site - www.bigalsonline.com

Check out classifieds in your area. Up here I've seen ads for all sorts of tanks for really good prices.

Hope this helps a little

 

[Silverfire]

I just went and *sat down* on the bookshelf in question, and it supported my weight with not so much as a wobble. Of course, I'm not that heavy - about 110 lbs or so (yes, I'm hideously thin, that's just the way things is). I can't believe it didn't wiggle even a little, and it was so inexpensive! ($14.00 Canadian from Wal-mart, if you must know) Interesting.
Of course, that was only for a few minutes. Having a full aquarium that's bigger than the current one on the bookshelf would of course present a greater strain.
The thing about bettas is their strange little bodies - they look like truncated cigars with fins....their colours can be pretty, I admit, and they're cool on a strangeness level, but they're just not my thing I guess. Chacun son gout, I suppose
Damnnation, must be off again!
Anyway. Yeah...I dunno. I don't want to keep huge amounts of fish - just four or five at the most (for now, at least!). When I have my own place I'm definitely going to get something bigger and more interesting, but until then, while I live at my sister's apartment, smaller is better, from a space point of view. As for cleaning, I haven't had any trouble cleaning the little tank - just scoop Carmilla up into a glass and put her safely away while I get rid of the crap at the bottom. The babies evade the vaccuum like magic! I can't believe she still hasn't eaten them all.
Anyway, I have to go. More later, perhaps.