My parents got my sister a betta fish a while ago but his setup is awful. For a while they had a plant at the top but then it died? I think? Anyway, I don't have a lot of money but I hate seeing him like this, I need advice on anything I can do to make him happier. Some links to cheapish tanks and supplies and stuff? I know fish aren't the cheapest hobby but I want to do something to help him 🙏 (my sister is only 10, she doesn't know any better, it's my parents fault)
Also, he seems fairly okay? He gets excited when we feed him and he swims around as much as he can with the limited space he has, so I don't think he's sick or anything, but he could definitely have a better life than what he does now
(Also sorry, my camera wouldn't focus on him for some reason)
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1oud67t
Posted by RarestHope
4 Comments
They change out his water maybe once a month, it doesn’t look like it gets really bad or anything, but other than that, they don’t do any tests to the water or anything.
The really expensive part will be the test kit. Everything else you can get for peanuts, but you really do need the API master test kit or something similar.
For now, first question is, do you have water conditioner?
Obviosly not the best… “tank” closer to a breederbox in size, however I whould recommend to get some expanding foam you might have it or buy it for a pretty standard price and second hand glass panles (really cheep if you can just find somebody selling in your area), now you want to check a tutorial on how to cut glass and you can make a small aquarium orrrr get a finished secondhand aquarium (MINIMUM 5g), just make sure to check for cracks and fill to the top before adding the betta and youll be able to spot week spots before somthing bad happens now again you will want expanding foam to fix the glass if there are cracks
also important make sure to get a lid bettas are known jumpers I cannot recall how many people have lost their betta to it jumping out of the aquarium and drying just don’t risk it
I whould also get a heater, API Freshwater Master Test Kit, dechlorinator, bacteria starter(optinal) gravel or sand (some substrate), and for plants thease are some easy to care for;
Anubias
Java fern
frogbit
quite hardy plants and begginer friendly
Youll also need to cycle your tank and keep an eye for the water changes, (amonia, nitrates) before adding the betta so it doesn’t drop before it’s his time (This can tanke some time about two to four weeks so being patient will also help in the long run!)
Overall aquariums aren’t really the cheepest hobby unless not in the right living conditions not saying if people aren’t dropping bags on their aquariums that their not doing it right it’s usally just quite expencive, tho you can still do it on a budget !
GL !!
If you can look at Facebook marketplace for used tanks! You can get a lot of cheap tanks from there and some people may be willing to deliver if you can’t drive to get it