But before it did, I made one "last" trip to Petco. (Hah.) I picked up an extra, tiny filter in case Bleu Betta or Jerkface needs to go into my 5 gallon. I picked up a crypt and another wisteria, because I was afraid I didn't have quite enough greenery. (I can see, now, how people can be even more into their plants than their fish, though I'm not to that point.) Got a new algae scrubber after I accidentally ruined my old one, a tiny net because I lost my old one, and I found a great little contraption for Bleu Betta. He's ventured out from his heater/watersprite a few times when I've been watching, and I've seen Bruce get all up in his grill. I found him hiding in a java fern this morning. So this seems just about perfect.
It's a little mesh breeder box for guppies or platys. I'm not interested in baby guppies, other than seeing them for a day or two if they survive. But it's perfect for Bleu Betta. Okay, he doesn't get as much swimming room as I'd like, but he certainly gets more than he would if he were hiding behind the heater. Bruce can't get to him. Peterman can't poke him with his barbels. I even put Bleu Betta's watersprite sprig in there for him so he has cover and genuinely feels safe. I'd like for him to have more room, and he will, as soon as the 6.6 has cycled. I think it's a pretty great solution. An $8 solution.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...
It finally had arrived. Now, where the damn heater I ordered is, I don't know. I haven't checked yet. I got busy doing what I do, which is dive in.
As you can see.
And here it is, filled. Ben and I went to the creek, which is all dried up, for some creek rocks. It's not really iwagumi; I don't have time for that malarky. But it's a different look. I can't tell if I miss the driftwood or not. Put in the hornwort - worried about the mess, sort of - a crypt, an anubias and two java ferns.
I also added ammonia. I don't even know how much I was supposed to add, and Ben was hungry and making a mess. So I went with a tablespoon-ish. When I tested, the NH3/NH4 was around 8ppm. High. I think we've got a cycle started. I seeded the filter with floss from the 55-gallon. Later on I decided I'd added too much ammonia. I did a half-gallon water change (net, not gross), after removing about a gallon and a half so the waterfall from the filter will get going with the oxygenation. I want this puppy cycled as fast as possible; I've got the plants, I've got the aeration (will throw in an airstone if necessary) and I've added the heater that does the knocking so I can keep it around 86. From what I have read, these things should really help.
Edit: I've had to take a rest, because I was exhausted. I'm now in my spot next to the 55, and I'm watching Bleu Betta in his mesh box. He seems much more relaxed. He even lay down on the bottom for a moment or two, not in a dead way, but in a restful betta way. He's not flaring any longer. The other fish, including one of the wee loaches, have come up to see him and inspect the box, but it appears I've found a temporary solution to Bleu Betta's stress. Now, to check on Jerkface before I pick up his owner at school.
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