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So the male arrived a couple days ago. He’s been really shy, but I finally just got him to come out and interact with me. He seems really interested in the guppy fry that are in a breeder box, but I’m not sure if he’s interested in them as friends or food ? I have noticed he swims rather vertically, in comparison to my female, at least. Not sure if that’s somewhat normal? He spends most of his time (when he’s not being skittish and chilling at the bottom) between 30° and 70° diagonally oriented (mouth up). He kinda looks like me when I try to float on my back in a swimming pool; when he stops moving, his tail just kind of falls. Whereas my female has complete control of her body and when she stops moving, she’s just perfectly still. The male also makes these odd occasional twitching movements. I have no clue what that’s all about or what it means. Doesn’t seem like a big deal to me, but I don’t want to miss anything that could be a worry. Anyways, besides all that, I’ve finally got both of them eating, and they seem pretty happy. Unfortunately, the female endler ended up passing away, which I was pretty devastated about. On a lighter note, I also got some Darwin nerites, and a microworm culture. I’m loving the nerites, and my fish are loving the microworms. I think they’re looking forward to summer, when I can feed them mosquito larvae again. I’ll start up an album in the gallery and pop in some pics of my pretty little bettas and their nerite friends, and link it here, if anyone is interested. I’m partially writing this just so I can have it as a bit of a fish diary for my bettas, to keep track of everything and make sure I don’t miss patterns etc.

So, I’m not quite at the stage of being able to technically call this my ‘betta bonanza’ yet… but I like alliteration, so I’m gonna call it that and say it’s wishful thinking. And maybe my wishes will come true. Those wishes being to breed bettas, and raise a decent amount to sell or breed or give to mates. And share the fun along the way. And to learn as much as I possibly can about these beautiful fish. So far my betta bonanza consists of just one fish, a female red koi/galaxy HMPK I purchased yesterday. I got her from a local breeder, and it was cool to see his setup for breeding and for raising fry. As she was being kept with his females that he’s conditioning, my fish is fully conditioned, and she’s ready to breed (fully coloured up, showing her ovipositor and she’s full of eggs), which is exciting! She’s in a 5 gallon with my blue dream shrimp and a female endler, and I thought if anything, the shrimp might be in danger. But no. He’s fine. She just beat up my endler. I seem to be cursed with vicious female fish. Stemming from this, I rigged up a little DIY tank divider that I’m awfully proud of, so hopefully everyone can be happy. I’ve also got a male coming in the mail this week, so I’ll grab some photos of both of them and their tanks when he arrives. Unfortunately my account is running out of available media attachments, so I’ll have to figure something out to keep posting images. Maybe I’ll just take the effort to get good photos, and pop them in the gallery.

I really like the look Steen's got on his lid with the strips. I may try to recreate something similar for mine. And it looks like the sump compartment cover just rests on these pieces and on a little shelf they added on the left side to support the other side of the sock cover. Doesn't look like it would restrict any flow.

Betta have more of a personality than most fish, EVERYTIME anyone goes near mines tank, he is there watching! They LOVE live food, mosquito larvae, daphnia. My male usually starts building a bubble nest when he is given live food, especially mosquito larvae! I use a wooden skewer to feed mine commercial food and they are remarkably strong for a small fish, it feels like he is trying to eat the skewer so I have to hold on really tight to it? It sounds like yours is just settling in nicely? Simon

Yeah I’ve noticed even just throughout the day today he’s been more active, less shy, and he’s starting to recognise me and react positively towards me like my female does (…and every other fish I have). I must say, they’re such a rewarding fish. Very similar in personality I feel to apistogramma. Although seemingly they’re more aggressive, which I didn’t expect. I’ll get to the photos, I promise. Some ones from my phone coming later tonight when I have time, and I’ll grab some pics on my camera on the weekend to upload.

Hopefully the male betta is just settling in as it must all be very stressful, new tank and layout etc. Looking forward to seeing pictures soon! Let us know if you have problems posting the pictures? Smon

Looking at Steens picture, he cut the clear perspex the size of the top, but to fit inside the top (ie it would fall in without the black strips), then the 2 black strips on the sides stop it from falling into the tank (they are attached/glued ti the clear top but not the tank), and as the clear part is inside the tank it stops it moving. Perspex is pretty easy to work with and cut (hope it is called same in Australia)! As crabby says, you can just buy the clips and cut your own lid but it won't look as smart as Steens, here is a link to what the clips look like, there are either corner ones or side ones, look at the 2nd picture (these are in UK but you must be anle to get them easily locally as lots of aquariums use this type); https://www.pro-shrimp.co.uk/aquarium-spare-parts/880-dennerle-cover-glass-holder-for-nano-cube-scaper-s-tank-4001615058963.html Simon

I think most people just use clips. Either ones that come with the tank, or ones that they 3D print or order online. Beyond cheap. Just need 2 per tank or sump, one on each side, and if they’re strong enough for the weight of your lid, they should do just fine.

Appreciate the info, material names will be a great start. I am also particularly interested in how people get these homemade lids to stay secure on rimless tanks like this one.

@Goose, we haven't seen Steens for a while. Hopefully he is still around to reply. However, It's a matter of just sourcing some glass or perspex and cut to the measurements of the sump chamber and the tank top. Measure the rectangular space for the sump. And measure the the dimensions of the tank top + add a bit for a slight overhang. Then get a local glass supplier to cut it to size for you. You can glue a handle onto the tank lid for ease of opening and closing the lid. Or find some perspex and DIY it yourself. Note the sump cover has a small corner cut out for lifting it during maintenance.

Hi! I need ADVICE!!!! I have had a red cherry shrimp tank for about a year and have just introduced blue, orange, and white shrimp. I would love to try culling but am not sure if that is enough to prevent interbreeding. Are brown shrimp inevitable?

Yes it will be inevitable. That's when you have to cull aggressively. But you might be lucky getting some with nice colouration.

Sorry to necro; any chance you can elaborate on how you made the sump chamber cover and the lid for your tank? I am about to get the exact same tank delivered and plan to use it for neocaridinas as well, and I need both of those solutions. Hope the tank is doing well. Thanks!