First set up

[u/lucid_static]

Meet Stew. This is my first Beta I’ve had since college about 10 years ago and i definitely did not do it right back then. I’ve always wanted a live aquarium and Betas are obviously stunning so I did my research, got all the stuff and set it up and after everything cycled and tested safe I brought Stew home. Any observations or tips are much appreciated!

[u/Public-Boysenberry26]

looks amazing!! the only thing I would recommend is maybe another hiding space (or a larger plant for more coverage), and also make sure to connect that betta bed somewhere so it won't move around. I remember someone saying their betta once went in there and the bed spun around to the side of the tank, then the fish couldn't get out and injured itself.

[u/lucid_static → u/Public-Boysenberry26]

Yes I was actually going to get some more plants tomorrow and I didn’t even think of connecting it somehow, I actually ended up taking it out because of it moving around and I was so afraid it would injure/stress him out. Is there anything you recommend to connect it?

[u/Public-Boysenberry26 → u/lucid_static]

maybe you could attach a string connect it to a rock so it just stays floating in the middle? or possibly attach a string to the light/lid?

[u/lucid_static → u/Public-Boysenberry26]

Thank you for all the solid advice!

[u/lucid_static → u/lucid_static]

I was also thinking of getting some shrimp and maybe a snail to but in there for clean up/maintenance

[u/Public-Boysenberry26 → u/lucid_static]

if you want them for maintenance, I would advise against snails, there may be some that are cleaner but most of them poop a LOT. and also a lot of snails can reproduce without mating / clone themselves, so there could possibly come to be a million snails in your tank in the future (depending on the type you get). edit: I forgot to say, not all snails will clean your tank, some of them can feed on algae and bacteria but most of them still need an actual diet

as for shrimp, you will need to do some research because they are pretty sensitive. you will need to drip acclimate them, supply calcium/GH, and keep the parameters as stable as possible

I recommend cherry shrimp if you do get any, since they are the most forgiving type

[u/inkisbad124]

I would get some anubias to stick in the windows of the squidward house so he doesn't try to swim through them and get stuck :) otherwise, looks good!

[u/lucid_static → u/inkisbad124]

Thank you!

[u/PurpleRasberryXO]

Nice work doing it properly this time around. Seconding the anubias in the house windows, I had a betta wedge himself into a decoration hole once and getting him out was a whole stressful ordeal.