Two days ago, I went to Petco to get a bigger tank for my betta fishy, Tobias (Tom and I inherited him from our roommate in Buffalo, Britney!). Right now, he lives in a coffee pot, but as you can see, it’s kind of a tight squeeze:
So I decided to get Tobias a bigger, more comfortable home, and maybe some friends. But after talking to some peeps at the store (a couple of whom seemed really knowledgeable) I decided not to risk putting Tobias with other fish because male bettas are pretty vicious. Instead, I got a 5.5 gallon tank and a bunch of supplies, so that I can start a mini-but-still-super-legit actual aquarium! 
It’s going to be kinda high maintenance: I’m gonna have to start the nitrogen cycle, grow some plants, and make sure the aquarium’s occupants have enough space and get along. 
But I love a project, so I’m really excited about it, even if it’ll be kinda challening.
As for which fish I’m going to have, I think I’m going to go with a couple colorful platies because they’re small, cute, peaceful, etc, and probably an African dwarf frog too, because they’re adorable, low maintenance, and get along with calm fish.
I’m also going to have to figure out what kinds of plants I want to grow, because I’ll have to put them in first….
Oh and don’t worry–I haven’t forgotten about little Tobias! I’m going to get him a bigger home and maybe a ghost shrimp to keep him company and help keep the tank clean. 
According to the internetz, ghost shrimps are cool because they’re transparent and you can see food go through them! 
And here’s an awesome sign for the road…
I took this while in standstill traffic near my house today on the way back from visiting Tom in New York ( 
). It struck me as ridiculous because… what’s with the question mark? 
Yay! Tobias like from Arrested Development? Tobias Funke?
The very same! Tobias was named after Tobias Funke.
Why is it that everything about you is adorable, including the fish?! Tobias…haha, love it.
Well, we had a beta fish and we were told to put it in front of a mirror sometime and see what happens and it completely freaked me out. It’s gills shot out and it was gross, so…I gave it away. It’s crazy to think something so pretty would be so violent!
When I worked in the flower shop, we had a lot of people that would put the beta fish in a big vase with a peace lily on top. Apparently, they like to eat the roots and they look neat (this is what I’ve been told, of course).
Good luck with your fish tank! Seems like a lot of work, but it seems like you’re up to it.
Keep us updated on your progress!
-M.
Haha, awesome sign.
I love fish, they are both low and high maintenance. Also naming them is fun. I look forward to seeing your fishy project progress!
my mum and dad used to have these massive big coffee jars that looked like the big round fish bowls you get and I always wanted to get a few fish and keep them in it. but they eventually threw it out. ):
good luck with the fish! the platies are super cute as far as fish go! haha.
my holiday was pretty awesome. just lots of relaxing in the sun. it was really good not to have to worry about anything at home. and not putting make-up on everyday was a godsend. you don’t exactly have to dress to impress on holiday when you’ve got a boyfriend back home, after all-usually nobody knows you! (in saying this, I once travelled over 100 miles up to the north of scotland and went to a little art shop in the middle of nowhere and bumped-quite literally-into my head of year teacher!)
i’ll have to get the photographs together and put them on the web!
I think fish tanks are a really cool detail in a home. I can’t have one though because of my cats. They’d do all kinds of horrible things to the poor fish I imagine.
Ohh, I should get some fish! I will have to wait though. I have no idea why I have this urge to get a new pet. I will have a new baby in a few months..you would think that would be enough.
I hope yours turns out awesome! You will have to post some pics when you get it all set up.
My betta Mr. Jaques Cousteau needs a bigger home, he’s currently living in a largish clear vase. Poor guy.
Good luck with the fish thing:) You actually made me want to get fish as well:)