Letters of a Betta Addict

The trans-shipper (Hung) sent me the tracking number for Thailand Babies and I’m trying to resist checking it since I suspect that I’ll wear out my refresh button waiting for them tomorrow <Insert Wild Crazy Happy Dance>

I haven’t heard back from Ashley (the Ontario seller) about the pair/trio coming from her but I hope to hear from her soon. I’m really hoping that they made it out today but we’ll see, I believe that they’re coming via Canada Post (the Thai Group is being shipped with FedEx).  I’m so excited for tomorrow it’s really not funny :p

I’m mostly ready for all the new kids, I have the containers ready for the “baths” for the breeder containers.  I suspect that once the QT period is over (paranoid of me I know) I’ll be setting up some sort of barrack system with a central water source and heater.  In my current location it’s just not feasible for me to heat a room just for them (unless I decide to build a utility shed in half my bedroom) and I can’t heat the whole place either so a barrack system is going to be my best bet. However that means I’ll need to have a close eye out for any disease that might be waiting to come through. Hence the QT period. I believe that it’s a 60 day QT but I’ll have to double check to be sure. I don’t want to take any chances with these new kids.

Edit: I just heard from the Ontario breeder and she shipped the trio today! I have their tracking number as well. Double screen refreshing woot!!!

Hmmm… well I had originally given this betta breeding attempt a budget of $500 dollars. That was $250 for the jars, and $250 for the breeders and the rest of the set up… I think that was probably a bit over hopeful now that I look at it.

Here are the costs that I know about at this point.

$40 - The two HM boys I purchased yesterday.

$50 - approximate cost of shipping said boys from Ontario to me.

$10 - misc. handling fees I’m sure exist.

$15?- female from seller (haven’t seen her yet)

$30?- female needed for blue marble and a back up HM female incase somebody isn’t interested.

Total: $145 Just for the breeding pairs.

The list isn’t done.

Budgeting:

$90 for new shelving unit (to house adults and possibly a spawn tank or two)

$30 for two more 2.5 tanks… may browse around to see if I can get a deal on them. Otherwise I may try clear plastic containers instead (cheaper)

$150 - for heaters and an air pump for the new kids

Which puts the potential budget up to: $270… and that’s before the Jars and whatever other needs I need to heat them…

Luckily I can spread MOST of this out over the next few months.

Hmm just thought of another cost… should probably order some Atison’s through the BBC here for the new kids. I don’t have much for high quality stuff right now…

If the address you have set as your pay-pal receipt isn’t the same as the one you want something shipped to make sure that you name note of that on the receipt. Luckily I’d sent the seller my address earlier so she knew something was up. However this may mean that my babies will be delayed getting here since I didn’t check my e-mail again after last night… I’ve responded now but don’t know if they’ll make it out today… :s

A lesson learned I guess…