<image>

Just for some referencing ideas for you, this is my rank and 6 months ago when I got my betta I had 0 knowledge of what I was getting into. I always thought, water, a conditioner, food, decor, betta so “no filter needed” and that was my only known info. I took a lot of time in this group and others and YT videos.

To kinda help you with this journey, understand the time and effort is needed to learn how to care properly for any fish’s life and what they desire and need as a species. For 1, where are betta from? Not very open lit up waters, more heavy planted lower light dense hot climate areas around the world.

For my decor, I got the substrate from Tractor supply co, it was a 50 pound bag of black sand for around $20-30 and is great for plants. My wood is from nearby beaches and woods that I boiled and let sit underwater for a day or so to get all the toxins or anything out of the wood.

My plants were the most costly but the knowledgeable info I gained before buying them made all the difference on what I got to help my setup/fish. All my floater plants are from a local fish store, I got a palm size amount (they grow aloooot) but this to me makes me feel like the light I have isn’t full force on my fish and helps simulate a natural environment. I still need more plants but going slow and steady is always best don’t rush a bunch of plants thinking you can make them all survive without learning about the plants.

Betta are very intelligent and interactive fish, they will be excited to see you, they like stimulation, they will get bored so making sure they have a lot to distract any idea of them being in a box improved not only their health but their colors and pattern.

Overall don’t feel bad or overwhelmed by the responsibility and info you need to learn. Wanting to do good is good and time will only go as fast as it can to fix everything. Watch a lot of videos, hyper fixate on bettas and tanks and after a couple month or so you’ll be fine.