Very New! Need Any Advice I Can Get!

[rachaelsosilly]

Well, if I decide to get the otocinclus then I will give the minnows to my niece. She loves them and squeals when they swim around fast.
Then should I have enough room?

 

[OldMan47]

It would still be pretty tight in there. Another thing to realize is that an otocinclus will not survive long unless water conditions are near perfect.

 

[Honeythorn]

Why don't you just get a bigger tank? 10 gallons will easily fit on a desk. I have a 12 gallon on one of mine. That way your betta will have a lot more space ( no fish can have too much space ) , you'll get to keep the minnows and get a proper heater, your water stats will be MUCH easier to maintain due to the fact there is more of it to dilute the fish waste ( which is in fact the most important thing ) , and you can have a couple of otos .

 

[Corleone]

Well, I took it to PetSmart, where I work, and my friend tested it.
Haha, so I'm guessing that the results where legit.
Hopefully.
But I totally know what you're saying.

I can strongly advise you to get your own test kit though

I'll consider it. I think they are somewhat expensive, aren't they?
I'll check it out. Any other advice?

$30 for the API master kit that Petsmart sells. They last quite a while, especially compared to the strips. Getting the 5-in-1 strips plus ammonia strips will cost about the same, and get you 25 tests worth. The API kit will give you several hundred tests worth.

Again, get numbers, even if you work there. I've dealt with Petsmart - they were the store I referenced in my link (I didn't name the store because none of them gave good advice - only one said the water was unsafe for fish, but gave bad information for fixing it), and were the worst for water testing by a good margin.

 

[rachaelsosilly]

I just wanted to let everyone know that once I added me filter, my Betta has been even more active, and playful then before.
And before he was REALLY playful.
Now it's like the dang fish needs ridolin!
Haha.
Thanks for all your help!

P.S. The minnows are gone. It's just the Betta and the frog. He seems VERY happy. =]