Must Haves!

[little_mermaid]

Hey ya'll, after reading everyone's advice and what-not, I have been forming a mental list of all that I need to maintain healthy fish. Now I'm feeling a bit scatter-brained and still kind of lost on some issues, but I'm slowly but surely getting there.

Anyways, I am going to try to head back to one of the stores to buy some more essential supplies, but before I make another run (the workers must think I live there), I was wondering if ya'll could help me make a list of everything that is a must have for fish keeping! Also, if there is a list that is already out there, could you please send me the link? Then you don't have to worry about typing everything out!

** And this would be for my 3 gallon tank with my one female Betta, Loretta!

 

[ReMz]

Hey ya'll, after reading everyone's advice and what-not, I have been forming a mental list of all that I need to maintain healthy fish. Now I'm feeling a bit scatter-brained and still kind of lost on some issues, but I'm slowly but surely getting there.

Anyways, I am going to try to head back to one of the stores to buy some more essential supplies, but before I make another run (the workers must think I live there), I was wondering if ya'll could help me make a list of everything that is a must have for fish keeping! Also, if there is a list that is already out there, could you please send me the link? Then you don't have to worry about typing everything out!

Is this for a larger tank in the future with other fish or your 3 gallon with Loretta? Cuz the requirements change quite a bit.

 

[little_mermaid]

Hey ya'll, after reading everyone's advice and what-not, I have been forming a mental list of all that I need to maintain healthy fish. Now I'm feeling a bit scatter-brained and still kind of lost on some issues, but I'm slowly but surely getting there.

Anyways, I am going to try to head back to one of the stores to buy some more essential supplies, but before I make another run (the workers must think I live there), I was wondering if ya'll could help me make a list of everything that is a must have for fish keeping! Also, if there is a list that is already out there, could you please send me the link? Then you don't have to worry about typing everything out!

Is this for a larger tank in the future with other fish or your 3 gallon with Loretta? Cuz the requirements change quite a bit.

This would be for my 3 gallon with just Loretta!

 

[ReMz]

-Filter and Heater (as you are aware of)
-Thermometer
-Small net or cup to catch her
-Small bucket
-Small Siphon/Gravel Vac (makes water changes sooo much easier in a tank that size)
-All in one test strips with at least PH, Nitrite, and Nitrate (this works for your case..... full on liquid test kit is much better of course)
-Cover for the tank if you do not have one already
-Hikari Betta Bio-Gold food (if you can find it)
-Frozen Blood worms (great treat, but not required

And other really good things to have on hand in case the worst happens and you need to treat illness.
-Maracyn 1 and Maracyn 2 (wipes out just about anything but parasites)
-Melafix (good for fin recovery)
-Aqaurium Salt (very optional, some people swear by it and use it as a preventative and treatment)

Thats about all I can think of for now. Not everthing there is required, but it is good to have. Use your judgement (and wallet ) to decide on what can wait.

 

[loraxchick]

you should think about getting some live plants. Fast growers like anacahris (elodea) or milfoil. Very low mainatainence and will benefit your water quality (with minimal lighting)! and i feel fish like real over fake plants better IMO.

 

[loraxchick]

you should think about getting some live plants. Fast growers like anacahris (elodea) or milfoil. Very low mainatainence and will benefit your water quality (with minimal lighting)! and i feel fish like real over fake plants better IMO.

 

[LauraFrog]

If you live in a cold climate I would suggest that a spare heater is a must have. A betta in a large tank for a single fish (as yours is) could survive a few days without a filter (I keep mine permanently without filters!) but a few hours without a heater could be catastrophic. I would also recommend having a one or two gallon plastic container. If Loretta ever gets sick, you can put her in that and treat her. This is a hospital tank. It's even more necessary if you have a lot of fish or if you breed fish because you can buy your spare heater, bubbler and a few cheap decorations and then use it for a hospital tank, isolation tank, quarantine tank and breeding tank - AND have spare parts in case something fails. But even with only one fish I would still recommend it. A lot of medications will wipe out your filter, so if you treat the 3 gallon tank, you would be destroying the filter and it could take weeks to fix it again. It's also a lot harder to change ALL the water (ie to remove medication from it) when you have to try and get it out from under the gravel, etc.

 

[ReMz]

If you live in a cold climate I would suggest that a spare heater is a must have. A betta in a large tank for a single fish (as yours is) could survive a few days without a filter (I keep mine permanently without filters!) but a few hours without a heater could be catastrophic. I would also recommend having a one or two gallon plastic container. If Loretta ever gets sick, you can put her in that and treat her. This is a hospital tank. It's even more necessary if you have a lot of fish or if you breed fish because you can buy your spare heater, bubbler and a few cheap decorations and then use it for a hospital tank, isolation tank, quarantine tank and breeding tank - AND have spare parts in case something fails. But even with only one fish I would still recommend it. A lot of medications will wipe out your filter, so if you treat the 3 gallon tank, you would be destroying the filter and it could take weeks to fix it again. It's also a lot harder to change ALL the water (ie to remove medication from it) when you have to try and get it out from under the gravel, etc.

just a 1 gallon fish bowl or a large tupperware works. those are easy to obtain, so could be purchased upon necessity.

cheap too $$$

unless the room is <60 degrees i dont think an additional heater is necessary. you would be able to see a temperature drop and purchase another heater before the temp got to lethal levels. I see where u are coming from tho, can never be too safe.

 

[lilfishie]

a liquid test kit, a must for every fish keeper Api do a master kit that does everything needed and is recommended by many on here

 

[blaxicanlatino]

I wouldnt use a net because they could injure the betta. Theres a starter kit at walmart that sells for 30$ that comes with a whisper power filter, lighting hood, a 10 gallon tank, food, conditioner and more. Thats what i got.

 

[little_mermaid]

Thanks ya'll...

but I am not so worried about a heater for I live in Florida...

 

[tibby25731]

I think a heater is important no matter what the climate... temperature can drop steeply overnight, and fish do so much better at a constant temperature.

 

[newfishy]

a heater is important in the winter in florida, betta gets usto the nice tropical summer and then one cold snap could really harm them when they are very usto the heat.

 

[little_mermaid]

a heater is important in the winter in florida, betta gets usto the nice tropical summer and then one cold snap could really harm them when they are very usto the heat.

True; but for the most part, Florida is warm/hot most of the year. When I went to the LPS the other day, they said they only had large heaters and that they plan on getting more (hopefully smaller) ones once it starts getting cold.

 

[VictorMeldrew]

I want to reply, but pink text hurts my eyes