Considering A Rehome

[SmokedPaprika]

Hi all,
 
I'm a tropical novice, although I've had a cold water setup before.  I don't have a tank yet but I've done my research re: cycling and so on, and I still want to go with my original "need" - a betta splendens.
 
My first plan was a community set up with the betta as the centrepiece fish, but I'm wavering due to potential compatibility issues, and the more I think about it, the more I think I might enjoy a smaller, species-only tank so I can interact with my betta a bit more and get to know him.  Also, I thought this would give me the option of buying one of the fancier bettas online - I was reluctant to spend £30 or so on a fish when there was a risk of things going wrong, but if he was going to be alone then I figured, why not?
 
Then...the other day I was in the LFS looking for tanks and saw an advert on the pinboard from a lady who was moving and breaking down/selling on her tanks.  According to the ad she has "several" betta set-ups...I'm seriously tempted to get in touch, because if the tanks are up and running already, I won't have to worry about cycling and I can have my betta straight away (patience is not my strong suit ).  On the other hand, if I go and look and the fish aren't healthy, or I don't see "the one"...well, I lose nothing, right?
 
Can you guys think of any down sides?

 

[Mamashack]

The only down-side I can think of might be the distance you'd have to travel and keeping the filter wet and the betta warm so that the FBs don't perish and the betta doesn't get too sluggish and that's it really. Otherwise it looks like a win-win situation.

 

[Sherriff]

If the lady is selling the tank, filter and betta together and its established then sure go have a look! Problem would be if you just end up with the betta and an empty tank you'd still cycle!
Plus as mentioned above, distance. Don't want your new pet to get cold

 

[SmokedPaprika]

Yeah, I'd definitely phone her first and double check she was selling the full setup, not just the fish - I don't want my new baby in an uncycled tank! 

She lives about half an hour away from me, so not too bad - Mr. Betta and my bacteria colony should be OK for that length of time, yes?

 

[Mamashack]

I would think so - I'm going to collect a betta from a guy about 1½ hrs from me and I'm taking an insulated box and a clik-lok food container as advised by RCA. My 30L tank has cycled now so it will be a case of keeping him warm and then acclimatising him. If you keep most of the water in the tank when you are transporting it you won't have that aspect to do. Presumably you have some liquid water test kits. If not you'll need to invest in some. Might be worth checking the tank water params against what you have at home and doing quite small, but regular water changes until they match - chlorine and nitrAtes not included! lol

 

[Wildbetta]

Everyone else has pointed out the most obvious issues so I will not mention them.  What I want to warn you about is the wording "several betta set ups".  This could mean decent filtered, heated setups which are the best and preferred or it could mean tiny unfiltered, unheated setups.  Just be aware that a lot of people still believe and the pet stores continue to give the bad advice of, them only needing a tiny unfiltered unheated bit of water.  Otherwise, adopting a betta is a very fullfilling experience so I say go ahead and at least check it out.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Definitely check it out. You can always go back home empty-handed (but I'll bet you won't!). And of course, if you come home with one, photos are required! Good luck!

 

[SmokedPaprika]

Thanks for your thoughts and advice, everyone
 
I rang the lady yesterday and asked about the bettas and tanks for sale; apparently the tanks are all 15, 19 or 22 litres, so they're small, but they are filtered and heated.  She has two veil tails (one red, one multicoloured), one black crowntail, one blue plakat and a betta imbellis.  I'm going to see them on Wednesday, so we'll see what happens!

 

[Sherriff]

Good call, I wish you the best on this visit!!!
You MUST give us pictures of your new betta if you decide to come away with one, i have no doubts that you will  

Good luck!

 

[Shelster]

+1 on the photos - I'm sure the bacteria will be fine - I moved from Glos to Cornwall with my 180 litre and fish all survived

Good luck for Wednesday - I'm excited for you too lol - good luck.

Plus you can always upgrade his tank at a later stage

 

[Mamashack]

+2 - we all love pictures! lol

 

[SmokedPaprika]

Thanks, everyone!  I'm so excited...I'm thinking I might go for the crowntail, but who knows???
 
I have a polystyrene box kicking around from when I moved that I could use to transport the betta so he didn't get cold - but what's the best way of moving the tank? 
 
And yes, I will definitely put up photos if I end up with a new friend 

 

[Shelster]

Can you take an adequately sized box with some scrunched up news paper to squeeze inbetween outside of tank glass and box?

 

[Mamashack]

RCA suggested to me to take a towel, a clik-lok box and an insulated box, presuming the seller will have some bags. I think the idea is to bag the fish with plenty of air space, then put it in the clik-lok box, wrap it in the towel and then put the whole lot in the insulated bag. At least I think that's what she meant. The tank will be a bit trickier - I've never transported a tank with water in before. Unless you can decant the tank water into brand new and rinsed water containers. Would need to stick the filter in one of those containers to stop it from drying out altho that isn't likely on a ½hr journey unless the weather takes a turn for the better. I wouldn't hold my breath tho! lol
Ooohh it's quite exciting! Take lots of pics even if you don't get one, altho I think you probably will, unless they are really badly cared for and then you might want to rescue them all! lol

 

[SmokedPaprika]

Can you take an adequately sized box with some scrunched up news paper to squeeze inbetween outside of tank glass and box?

 
Yep - plenty of big boxes and newspaper, bubble wrap etc. still kicking around from the move!  
 
 
 

RCA suggested to me to take a towel, a clik-lok box and an insulated box, presuming the seller will have some bags. I think the idea is to bag the fish with plenty of air space, then put it in the clik-lok box, wrap it in the towel and then put the whole lot in the insulated bag. At least I think that's what she meant. The tank will be a bit trickier - I've never transported a tank with water in before. Unless you can decant the tank water into brand new and rinsed water containers. Would need to stick the filter in one of those containers to stop it from drying out altho that isn't likely on a ½hr journey unless the weather takes a turn for the better. I wouldn't hold my breath tho! lol
Ooohh it's quite exciting! Take lots of pics even if you don't get one, altho I think you probably will, unless they are really badly cared for and then you might want to rescue them all! lol

 
LOL, I don't think I could find space for five tanks...two, maybe...