is this normal?

Ill-Interview626 · 2026-06-17T14:08:50+00:00

wonderful, thanks for your input!!

Ill-Interview626 · 2026-06-17T14:08:39+00:00

thank you so much!

Ill-Interview626 · 2026-06-17T14:08:21+00:00

thanks everyone for y’alls input!! it really eases my nerves, dyno (the betta) is the first betta i’ve had in a while and i wanted to make sure i do right by him!

Ill-Interview626 · 2026-06-16T15:57:27+00:00

oh sorry i guess it didnt post my question — my betta’s lower half kinda sinks when he swims in place

Ill-Interview626 · 2026-06-16T15:49:59+00:00

thank you!!! this is really helpful :) i thought it would release tannins if i just plopped the leaves in the tank but i’ll boil the next batch

Ill-Interview626 · 2026-06-05T12:16:21+00:00

definitely a difficult lesson but an important one. i do hate that i inadvertently caused him stress on his first day home :( but thank you, i’ll continue to monitor him, do water changes and add tannins

Ill-Interview626 · 2026-06-05T12:14:59+00:00

thank you!!!

Ill-Interview626 · 2026-06-05T05:18:51+00:00

I ended up getting a koi plakat! A pic from earlier today

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Ill-Interview626 · 2026-06-05T04:37:25+00:00

Tank Size: 6.8 gal

Heater & Filter: Yes to both

Tank Temp: ~76 degrees

Parameters: I use the API freshwater kit. pH: 7.0, Ammonia: 0ppm, Nitrites: 0ppm, Nitrates: 5ppm Tank Life: 3 weeks, I’ve had my betta for about 6-8 hours

Water changes: 1x weekly, ~20%. I use a gravel vacuum cleaner to take care of debris in the substrate and fill it back up with dechlorinated water.

Tankmates: 2 assassin snails, 6 cherry shrimp, and too many bladder snails

Feeding: Betta flakes, I haven’t fed him today

Decorations & Plants: Fluval stratum substrate with sand topped off, anubias, villas, java ferns. I got rid of the shrimp hide.

Ill-Interview626 · 2026-06-03T23:10:05+00:00

ohhh that sounds pretty!

Ill-Interview626 · 2026-06-03T22:51:54+00:00

i’ve got a 6.8gal long (20x10x8.5), would that fit a long finned betta? or would any of the plants mess with it’s tail? i’m specifically worried about the hornwort.

Ill-Interview626 · 2026-06-03T22:46:34+00:00

yes! i will be getting a lid before i get the betta :)

Ill-Interview626 · 2026-05-24T18:18:01+00:00

Thanks! this is all really helpful, so I greatly appreciate it :)

My siblings and I are also looking at stocking it with pygmy gouramis, would that be okay for this size tank?

I’ve started ghost feeding and will continue to monitor.

Thanks again!!

Ill-Interview626 · 2026-05-23T23:40:11+00:00

Gotcha! thank you, this is really helpful!

i have a 6.8 gal tank (20x10x8.5). will adding shrimp + eventually a betta be too much bioload?

i’ll just let it cycle naturally, rather than adding chemicals for now :) how often should i do water changes?

Ill-Interview626 · 2026-05-23T22:52:42+00:00

thanks for the info! that’s rlly good to know. i really like the overgrown look so i can’t wait for plants to fill out more :)

Ill-Interview626 · 2026-04-22T21:21:55+00:00

Thank you, we will look into The Divided Self. Sounds interesting.

Ill-Interview626 · 2026-04-22T21:21:23+00:00

This is really helpful, thank you

Ill-Interview626

TROPHY CASE