Bleu’s 5 gallon tank journal

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BleuTheBetta

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Okay. Where do I even start… :whistle:
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I got a very large want for a betta fish after my sister got fish again (for the first time in a decade.)
Last time I got fish, I wasn’t a good fish owner, and didn’t do anything- and I mean anything- right.
So, I wanted to start over and do things right, this time around. I did some bad research, and got what I thought would be good- a 2.5 gallon tank, some white pebbles for the substrate, and a big plastic plant. And, a heater and filter. (Photo 1.) I quickly said “uhhh this is not how I want this thing to look.” I hadn’t cycled the tank. I actually joined this forum, did more (reliable) research, cycled that tank, and figured I need a bigger tank. I wanted it to look natural. So I made this thing (picture 2) that I will never be proud of. (I did cycle this first) Changed that, wanting to get a wood and anubias landscape looking thing. Well, I didn’t read the reviews on the wood. I did boil it for 3 hours, and everything looked fine water wise. Put it in the tank? Boom. Red. Looked like tea was dumped into the tank. I took the wood out (no anubias on the wood yet) and boiled for a day straight for 3 days. Water still red. I came to the realization that the wood was dyed. Aghhh. My poor fish in this situation, probably stressed for his life at all of the daily wc’s and changing of the tank.
Now, I hope things will get better. I scrapped the real wood idea, and got a fake wood piece that fits very nicely into my aquarium. I have anubias on there now too. It is still tied on, since the roots haven’t rooted yet. (Pic 3)
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Now, pray for me for no more hard to deal with anything in that tank. I’m getting more plants soon, and I’m super happy so far with the latest update. All of the above has happened within 3 months. I’ve had it with this tank!! 😅
I will post updates in the comments! 5FC26490-9673-499F-9639-20D3D226B180.jpeg
 

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First full day of the heater in the tank! It’s kept the tank temp at 78.7-79.2 Fahrenheit during the day depending on the amount of sun in the room, and 77.6-77.9 Fahrenheit at night (we turn the house temp down a few degrees at night).
So far, this is an awesome heater. I’m loving it.
 

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The bug change in temperature has stressed Bleu out a bit. I really should’ve gradually turned up the temp, but I didn’t think about it. I guess I was worried about getting the tank up from 72. Locked fins, and when I turned on the light this morning and fed him he bolted around, grabbed a quick swig of air, and bolted right back to under his wood hide. Took him 5 minutes to want to go up and eat.
Does anyone know how long until it will take him to adapt and be back to normal? I don’t think I should screw with the temperature anymore, that might stress him out even more. Is it worth it?
 
The heater should maintain the same temp all of the time, regardless of the temp of the house...what brand is it?

Although those temp changes in the post above aren't very drastic...
 
The heater should maintain the same temp all of the time, regardless of the temp of the house...what brand is it?

Although those temp changes in the post above aren't very drastic...
It’s the Fluval M50 heater.
 
I've had good luck with those
Yeah, I’ve had it recommended to me a bunch. That’s why I got it, plus is was 60% off. House temp change is 74 to 71 at night. It could also be the thermometer that’s faulting a little bit…
 

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