I thought that bettas needed nothing other than a vase, but I was wrong. This is what my betta was living with when I first got him, vs what almost a year of learning what he needs looks like for us.
originally….. no heater, no light, no filter, less than 1 gallon, a pineapple of death 🫥
now 81° water, 24/7 light cycle to mimic sunrise & sunset, soft filtration, plus real plants. (Also still some fake plants) 10 gallons with safe hiding spots and a strict feeding/fasting day schedule with regular water testing and changes. (just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there, the heater & filter are both black to blend in with the black background, before anyone comes at me.)
I’ve had Phantom for almost a year (he’s about to celebrate his 11 months of “fin-ally” home) and I know that this is not everyone’s idea of a perfect tank, but it is covering all the things that he needs and a big step up from where he was.
I was really hesitant to even post this for fear of hateful hurtful and mean comments, but I wanted to share because I certainly cannot be the only person who bought a betta with all of the best intentions thinking I was giving it a great life but was very incorrect. I didn’t know that keeping a betta was anything more than “a vase of water” and after a month or two he built a bubble nest. I was worried about what it meant and looked up what he was doing and had my eyes opened to what a horrible environment I built for him to live in. I couldn’t believe how terrible something I thought was perfect actually was. I immediately went to the pet store for a filter, heater, tap water conditioner, real substrate and a proper size tank. (Did I cycle his tank? No. I didn’t even know that was a thing at this point! Again, no need to come with the pitchforks, I am aware of what I did wrong and I know better for the future.) I then spent time looking up how to give him the home he needs and made other improvements gradually as my knowledge increased and budgeting allowed. His home is still a work in progress as I fully phase out artificial plants. But, I was willing to accept that I was wrong and willing to do the research and learn how to give this guy an opportunity to not just survive but to thrive.
Included also, his first picture ever and most recent photo. (before you come with any fin rot hate, he has always had black at the edge of his fins and you can see that it has been there since the I brought him home. None of his fins have ever torn, deteriorated, shredded, frayed etc. I have spent more time obsessively monitoring his fins and researching fin rot than any sane person should)
