I’m looking to get a betta fish and I’m wondering before I order if I’m missing anything or if any of this is unhealthy for a betta? I’m planning on placing this order today to start cycling the tank before getting a betta but I don’t want to miss anything important or get something bad! The fish tank kit comes with a filter, thermometer, and heater
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1opb4tr
Posted by Affectionate_Sun_358
10 Comments
Get live plants instead of fake ones!
Take it from me. Don’t waste your money on these products. The test strips are not accurate. The beneficial bacteria does not make your water ready. The only way to do that is take a filter or media from another established tank and put in yours or to wait for the nitrogen cycle on a new tank. The water conditioner is fine but if you put your tap water In a bucket or something for a few days the chlorine will evaporate out on its own.
Instead of the filter cartridges get a sheet of filter sponge. It lasts way longer and the cartridges are a scam. And def get some live plants instead of the fake ones
Few things in mind! this isn’t all that bad but I do have a few things to point out. Number one, the testing kit, I highly recommend ordering the Master Freshwater Test kit this is much more accurate and reliable than test strips.
I personally recommend Fluval bug bites for the food and feed bloodworms sparingly.
The decor I would caution, they can seep dye into the water, but I don’t see how they can be harmful if they’re aquarium specific.
Filter isn’t bad, but I also recommend sponge filter as this provides ample room for beneficial bacteria colonies.
Lastly, what tank size are you getting? I wouldn’t go anything under 5 gallons, trust me I have tried smaller tanks, they are less stimulating for the bettas. They do like 5 gallons or more but 10 gallon is the best.
I would say, less money on the artificial decor and more investment in live aquatic plants. This will help you in the long run.
Going to your local fish store should be cheaper than ordering online!
I’m thinking a 10 gallon, that’s what I have in my cart, I figured we may as well give the fish as much room as we could so it doesn’t get bored. What live plants would you suggest for someone who unintentionally kills every plant they touch 😭😂
I wouldn’t buy anything in this cart except the Seachem prime and gavel vac. The rest is trash. Live plants, Fluval stratum as substrate, a sponge filter, a heater, and maybe the betta log.
You probably already have these answers, but I’ll just say them as simple as I can!
-The decor can be scratched out. I would stick with rocks, really simple decor, or drift wood.
-Wouldn’t recommend artificially colored anything
-Get the Api master kit instead of the strips, much more accurate!!
-100 percent life plants! I would stick with Java fern or Anubias and then some water lettuce or frogbit as a floating plant
For food, get the Fluval bug bites instead. They’re more nutritionally robust and about the same price.
I’d personally also swap out that bacteria with either Seachem Stability (which was on sale for $4 the other day) or Tetra SafeStart+ which is the only Tetra product I endorse.
I do prefer some live plants but if you want artificial, go with silk plants over plastic. The nice thing is the silk will host some of your nitrifying bacteria so it can help support your cycle.
Also, check r/aquaswap and see if anyone in your area has some pre-cycled filter material or substrate they could give/sell you. That’ll make cycling your tank way easier.
For food, get the Fluval bug bites instead. They’re more nutritionally robust and about the same price.
I’d personally also swap out that bacteria with either Seachem Stability (which was on sale for $4 the other day) or Tetra SafeStart+ which is the only Tetra product I endorse.
I do prefer some live plants but if you want artificial, go with silk plants over plastic. The nice thing is the silk will host some of your nitrifying bacteria so it can help support your cycle.
Also, check r/aquaswap and see if anyone in your area has some pre-cycled filter material or substrate they could give/sell you. That’ll make cycling your tank way easier.
Edit: I’d also skip the freeze dried bloodworms. They have no nutritional value and they can cause constipation. PetSmart has frozen foods if you want to feed something else, though pellets alone are fine. If you go frozen, I feed mysis shrimp but daphnia would be best and brine shrimp would be my #3.
Tetra is a low quality brand.
Get the api master fresh water test kit. Expensive but instead of spending the money on the fake decor and sand get pool filter sand and the api test kid.
I would recommend fluvel bug bites or the fresh and natural ultra fresh brand(black containers on Amazon)
You dont need aqausoil for these plants. Anubias, java fern, hornwort, pennywort, anacharis, water wisteria, floating plants. Just an establish system so the plants can feed or the water. If you want stem plants or root feeders your going to need aquasoil or root tabs. My betta loves this floater.
https://preview.redd.it/nu5z8wykkhzf1.jpeg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=01b1b8941449b241184d1464af183888c2c6c98f