Myia's Bunny Blog

[hln917]

Love the new fish tank!We have tons of bamboo in front of the house, perhaps I can hint to hubby to build something similar, much larger of course for the rabbits!:biggrin2:

 

[RandomWiktor]

Oh I'm an idiot. MICE. How did I not see this? Your new mice are BEAUTIFUL! Congratulations!

 

[Myia09]

RandomWiktor wrote:

Cycling - especially fishless cycling - can't occur in two days even in a small tank (especially without live plants); I think you might be confused on what cycling is - it isn't just letting the water sit! Once you put the fish in, chances are it'll cycle while he's in there, and for bettas that generally means ammonia burned fins since their fins are so sensitive. This article has pretty decent instructions on a proper fishless cycle.

That tank is SUPER cool. I really like it. I think your fish is going to love it! If you do get dwarf frogs (I don't suggest ghost shrimp as they often eat them, makes for a pricey snack!), be sure there's a few hides - preferably one only the dwarf frog can fit under. Some, though not all, bettas tend to harass the little guys and it can literally stress them to death. You may have to feed them under there, because bettas loooove to steal the frogs' food. Alternately you can just cup the betta when you feed the frog. Also make sure the filter in any tank with dwarf frogs is REALLY gentle, as they have a very difficult time dealing with currents. Finally, and I'm sure you know this, but just make sure you're not being selled an african CLAWED frog. The albinos are definitely ACFs so that's easy, but sometimes they have natural colored ACFs mixed in with ADFs. Look for that front foot webbing to make sure you've got the right thing.

You may also want to consider some sort of snail. They're a little more resistant to betta bullying, are less likely to have their food snatched, and actually are surprisingly active and cool. I used to have tanks devoted JUST to snails! Applesnail.net has great info on them, and they come in some beautiful colors. I also have a care sheet if you'd like; it's basically applesnail's info, but more condensed and geared towards casual keepers rather than serious breeders and enthusiasts.

Enjoy your weekend!

This is probably going to sound naive and what not, but I have been in fishtanks for a really long time (10 years!)and even did them professionally (Set up and matnience for 4 years) and my ideas of cycling are a tad different.

Fishless cycling- that is the thing. You can leave a 5 gallon tank to stabalize for a month but as soon as you put 1 fish in the tank, it will disrupt the tank.

First off, I do use cycling chemicals. There is a lot of debate about them, but I love them. I also check all my tanks levels to make sure they are stable for one (I will check 2-3 times during the day) and the right level.

Then I add the fish. The fish helps cycle the tank. It is very much like buying a rosie red or comet to cycle the tank, but I don't do that because they produce more waste than a betta and also I don't throw away fish.

I know my ideas are not "textbook" but I also think there isA LOT about fish husbandry that hasn't been quite figured out. It also depends on the type of fish, tank, and enviroment.

I appreciate the article; but years of experiance has told me this way is just as effective. I often see people who will let smaller tanks (under 55) cycle of the "period" time and once they add fish in small quanities, the ammonia or PH will spike, and to me that is more dangerous than the fish helping to cycle the tank, even with higher elevated levels of ammonia or PH, which are usualy less than the spike. However, I don't do that..I will wait for my tank to be neutral or to the fish's general need and tolerance.

I am also not sure how much ghost shrimp are over there, but here they are only 5 cents! lol!

I have also owned dwarf frogs before

And unfortunatly, I don't do snails..lol. Not my thing! Plus, it is harder to find snails here of good quality that don't carry a parasite (It drives me nuts)

 

[RandomWiktor]

Ok; I won't argue with you in your own blog. I just figure "better safe than sorry" and would rather provide someone with info they don't need than no info when they might need it. Can't wait to see the tank when it's set up!

 

[Myia09]

I def appreciate the article and the information have no doubt!

I didn't say I would put the betta in for exactly 2 days..I will put the betta in the when the tank is stabalized

 

[Myia09]

Edit: I should add Ren..that I belive it doesn't take 4 weeks for a 5 gallon to cycle..but I would gladly give it 2.

Anyways, my blazing blizzard has a wound on her nose. Looks like the super snow bit her; but I don't know why. I fed them sepearte, but they didn't eat like 5 crickets so I tossed them in the cage..maybe it was a food fight?
I put some special ointment on it and put her in her own 10 gallon.

I just realized we are on week 5 of egg incubation. I really have to make the baby rack. It isn't hard at all, but I do need to find heat tape.

Tonight I am dying my hair a little dramatic and daring..all DIY so it makes me all the more nervous.
:0

 

[Myia09]

So, I have a very long tuberwear under the bed container. It is 35 inches long, and I am making the mouse a play center with it. I have also been wanting to do this with the hamster (Who just runs in the tub) but it is too shallow for him.

Well, I don't have all the supplies. I want to buy some tubes for them.

Right now I have 2 ladders from my ferret nation for some climbing, thier wheel, a container of vermaculite (To dig), a pouch to hide in, a large cardboard tube (Like hte ones you buy at petsmart), some chews and new toys that are not in their cage, and a soft cloth toy.

They seem to like it a lot. But boy do they STINK. Them, themselves smell..because the clean play house already smells.

Besides the tubes, I need to buy enrichment boxes, as I have to admit I have been out of for awhile. Ren, or any body else, have any suggestions for enrichment toys for both the mice and my hamster, I would appreciate it.

Also, Ren or someone else, the fourm told me that females should be in trios in case one dies. I am okay with doing that..but would a 10 gallon tank be enough for 3 mice? I plan on giving them 1 hour+ in the playhouse a day (Fat hammie sometimes gets like 3 lol) but it doesn't seem to be enough.

I have a wire cage..it is meant for gerbils/degus..I believe it is about 2 1/2-3 feet tall..but only 1 ft wide/long. The wire spacing is pretty small too. I could possibly make that into a mouse cage? but I doesn't seem like enough floor space.

I love how they will try to go for the wheel at the same time

I am going to buy a saucer spinner too for them.

Boy are they cute, let me tell you.

 

[hln917]

Make sure you post a pic of the new hairdo!

 

[fuzz16]

the girls are so cute

and they have the level toppers you can add to 10g, 3 in that might be pushing it

(your making my mouse kick come in!`)

 

[RandomWiktor]

Oooh. I'm busy right now but I can definitely give some input *nods* For now, have you considered putting a bit of vanilla in their water to help with the stank? Fresh out of store mice are so gross smelling.

 

[undergunfire]

A 10 gal. tank is said to be enough for 3 female mice and large enough for 1 male mouse (doesn't make sense, I know...lol). You can always upgrade to a 20 gal. later on if you wanted to. I wouldn't use a wire cage for mice, as they can squeeze out of the tiniest of spaces - there are people who use them, but a majority use tanks. I'd love to try housing Dex in a custom Martin's cage, but I have cats who already tried to eat him once and I don't want to risk it again, LOL!

You should check out the AZ humane societies for another girlie, as I know they always have little critters for adoption.

Annnnd.....your girls are sooooo adorable !

 

[Myia09]

RandomWiktor wrote:

Oooh. I'm busy right now but I can definitely give some input *nods* For now, have you considered putting a bit of vanilla in their water to help with the stank? Fresh out of store mice are so gross smelling.

I will do that! I just can't wait for them to get normal. I swear it is really bad lol.

Hmm Amy I think I will keep a lookout for craigslist mice and Humane Society mice. I really don't want to get a third (I only wanted 1 boy! lol) but if it is for the best, I need to.

So tomorrow is the big nueter day!

I am getting nervous again. But happy because he has been so terrible digging up the carpet to get to chewy through the bedroom door! But I am sweating bullets I am so nervous!

 

[Dragonrain]

Good luck Kinobe! Post an update once he's back home.

Do you still think Chewy is pregnant?

 

[Myia09]

So, some things happend last night..James and I decided to live apart for the week..just a break. His idea. I am not to happy; I am not quite sure where this puts us. He left with us on good terms, and it isn't a break up.

He has Kinobe and picks him up from the doctor at five.

And yeah, I do. She just seems heavier. Maybe it is all in my head. We will see I guess.

 

[Myia09]

So, what an eventful day. So James takes Kinobe to the nueter place (Phoenix Spay and Nueter) at 8:30 and our carrier wasn't "approved" to stay at the doctor. I asked why..it is a standard cat carrier, hard. In fact, I took Furrari in it when I got her spayed! I wasn't there, but basically they told James for a bunny it was too "large" for the small pet area. WTF?! I mean, it is big..in fact I think it may be a dog carrier..but isn't like huge!

*BUT* I also wonder if it is because James got there late..because James is a late going person...and he just isn't telling me. I have a smaller carrier, and I gave them them the dimensions and they said that was okay. I don't know how large the other carrier is, but the lady told me they require smaller "cat carriers" or "Small animal" size. Kinobe is about the size of a cat! Hello!

Why is this nueter going to freakin difficult!?!

So now I have to reschedule it and I have no clue when because I need to go myself (Instead of depending on James) so nothing goes wrong again. I am hoping it will be next monday.

I swear I don't know why this is so difficult.

James is coming back today..things are definatly on better terms.

Right now I am just super frustrated with Kinobes nueter

But the time it happens Chewy will be ready to be spayed! Ugh! Well, not really, but still.

And now i am checking Anakin for any balls to get him nueterd too, although I rather wait until he is older (Long story and personal opinion of rabbits being spayed/nueterd at 6 months)

Other than that, no new updates!

 

[hln917]

Glad to hear things are going well with you and James. Sorry to hear about Kinobe's non-neuter.

 

[Tofu]

oh man I don't blame you for being frustrated; all that anticipation and worry and in the end he doesn't get neutered. Eek. But things happen, hopefully you can schedule another one soon.
I'm taking my baby in for a neuter within the next week or so as well! Its so nerve-wrecking just booking the appointment itself!
Best of luck~

 

[fuzz16]

sad how annoying vets are sometimes, hopefully it goes better next time after driving that distance

 

[Myia09]

What a long break from posting...

Nothing new. Same old same old.

Yesterday and today I went to the Phoenix Comicon. It was A LOT of fun!

Here is James and I:

Next year we will be in full costume (James was pretty much in full costume anyways) and will also probably be going to the San Diego Comicon.

I got to meet LeVar Burton (Geordie), Will Wheaton (Crusher), and Johnathan Franks (Riker) and it was awesome!

(PS...for all those who don't knwo said characters..Star Trek lol)

I really wish Bret Spiner (Data) as he is my favorite..but meating Levar Burton was really cool as I grew up on Reading Rainbow too.

Then they had an hour long "reunion" that was simply hilarous.

I also met Lou Fargino (Sp?) the original Hulk..eh..let's say you can tell he didn't want to be there and he was less than friendly.

Then I also met the guy who played Darth Maul and young Bobo Fet (I forget names easily) but not only was their thing boring, but they really didn't hold any of the characters they played and it was really dissapointing.

We only went for the Star Wars/ Star Trek..

But there was a lot of great costumes and overall I had a great time!

 

[Myia09]

Bunnies:

Kinobe:

Hestarted using the BATHTUB as a litter box. Ugh. Let me tell you. But he is good...still cuddling on the couch.

Anakin:

Is also no better at the bonding thing. He still thumps when I walk in the room.

Chewy:

Is good..although now I am debating the pregnant thing because I am thinking it is all in my head. She doesn't seem heavier than before..and now I am wondering if she ever was "heavier"

Chinchillas.

Valentine:

He is being more goofier than ever. During playtime he has been doing wilder jumps. I think it has something to do with no longer being with any partner.

Casanova:

Just my plain old fatty!

Jynx:

I got some advice on how to "teach" her how to jump and it seems to be no luck. Just trying to work with her. She has also lost weight, but it seems to be healthy weight..however she doesn't eat much pellets since she was fed junk food ones and it is making me really worried. :/

Mice/Ham:

Crouton:

Crouton is of course the friendler mouse, and is keeping that way. She will come up to me when she is in her cage, and even when she is in the play tub.

Olive:

Her shyness is coming along..but one time she freaked out really badly and I was really surprised at it. I am slowly working with her.

I gave them a small amount of greens and they loved it. Their smell is also getting quite better.

Fat Hammie:

Doing well as normal

Geckos:

So, for some reason niether of my females want mealworms, and I don't know why. My super snow still has to get weight on her, and I fear she won't be able to breed for the rest of the season (Season ends August) just because I like fat leo's.

However, I feel the blazing blizzard is both healthy enough and fat enough..remember she layed 2 duds so I am hoping not for a "dud season"

The male is well

Budgies:

So, they don't play with any toys, are non-social, and eat junk food. Sigh.

So I decided I need to try to tame them; I don't know if any one can give me advice but I feel esp with the rescue, it isn't the best thing..but it also is not the best thing to keep the both of them un social. Plus, I really want to buy a playpen but they are too unsocial to use it.

And I still can't get them to eat pellets..even with the "Three day starve" which I don't reconmend unless it is like this (prolong stubborness) so they are just on seed.

And I feel they are not getting enough enrichment, because they don't use ANY toys besids the mirrors. I think I have tried everything.

Bettas:

Still looking for 10 gallon lid..5 gallon still cycling...all the same...



Did I get them all? LOL.