This is gonna be a long one! Sorry to whoever decides to actually read my rambling
. Iāve got the bug. Yup, Iām afraid I have full blown MTS (multiple tank syndrome). Iāve been wanting to try out a betta since I fell in love with that little paradise gourami. So back in late June, when I saw Petco was having their dollar per gallon sale, I picked up this 10 gallon. Built my own stand out of 2x4s, something Iāve never done before and really enjoyed doing. Did I mention It cost me LESS THAN HALF as much as a particle board stand from one of the big box stores.![IMG_0042.jpeg IMG_0042.jpeg](https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/data/attachments/1282/1282497-229bb8ba212e2bf3f211425855dc0cc0.jpg)
I scaped the tank to best of my ability and after about a month and a half of cycling, I was ready to get a betta. At first I was considering a domestic, specifically the shorter fin Plakat variety. Then a friend introduced me to wild type bettas. I discovered the splendens complex and immediately fell in love. After researching each and every species in the complex I came across mahachaiensis. A species that can tolerate the higher ph, and harder water in my area. Doesnāt get better than that. Hereās the tank:![IMG_1338.jpeg IMG_1338.jpeg](https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/data/attachments/1282/1282508-b617c000d2857d44bcc1f81d026b8a7b.jpg)
Donāt mind the towel on the light, thatās just to minimize glare when I was taking the photo lol. Letās start with the tank itself, before I get into the betta. My choice of plants - a mix of different anubias species: nana petite, barteri, and hastifolia. I decided to try Java moss, not expecting it to really work out. Little did I know is was going to thrive, now itās slowly covering the large driftwood piece. My favorite plant in this tank is the salvinia minima. This tank basically always has undetectable nitrates, and I suspect I have the salvinia to thank for that.
At one point there was quite a bit more moneywort in back, but as the salvinia exploded it started to struggle. Iāve heard water sprite might be a better alternative?
Iām sure youāve noticed by now, thereās quite a bit of leaf litter. I know the whole tannin look isnāt everyoneās cup of tea, quite literally. I enjoy it though. No, not because it āsoftens your waterā. Iām sure thatās not happening. Iāve found it does wonders for the bettaās colors and the extra health benefits are a massive plus.
Hereās the betta.
![IMG_2501.jpeg IMG_2501.jpeg](https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/data/attachments/1282/1282517-94178fd62cbd021146d89f3eddd53bb1.jpg)
![IMG_2220.jpeg IMG_2220.jpeg](https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/data/attachments/1282/1282518-8debc5fbb6cc97363946366c17a4bf28.jpg)
So far this fish has been an absolute blast. I thinks heās stunning. Not shy whatsoever and extremely outgoing. This tank is in my bedroom so when Iām at my desk, itās quite fun looking over to see this guy watching me like a hawk. Anyways I think Iāve rambled on enough now. If anyoneās made it down this far Iād be surprised
.
![Grinning squinting face :laughing: š](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/joypixels/emoji-assets@5.0/png/64/1f606.png)
![IMG_0042.jpeg IMG_0042.jpeg](https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/data/attachments/1282/1282497-229bb8ba212e2bf3f211425855dc0cc0.jpg)
I scaped the tank to best of my ability and after about a month and a half of cycling, I was ready to get a betta. At first I was considering a domestic, specifically the shorter fin Plakat variety. Then a friend introduced me to wild type bettas. I discovered the splendens complex and immediately fell in love. After researching each and every species in the complex I came across mahachaiensis. A species that can tolerate the higher ph, and harder water in my area. Doesnāt get better than that. Hereās the tank:
![IMG_1338.jpeg IMG_1338.jpeg](https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/data/attachments/1282/1282508-b617c000d2857d44bcc1f81d026b8a7b.jpg)
Donāt mind the towel on the light, thatās just to minimize glare when I was taking the photo lol. Letās start with the tank itself, before I get into the betta. My choice of plants - a mix of different anubias species: nana petite, barteri, and hastifolia. I decided to try Java moss, not expecting it to really work out. Little did I know is was going to thrive, now itās slowly covering the large driftwood piece. My favorite plant in this tank is the salvinia minima. This tank basically always has undetectable nitrates, and I suspect I have the salvinia to thank for that.
![IMG_1339.jpeg IMG_1339.jpeg](https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/data/attachments/1282/1282516-1de9c0ce878354d7e46b965dc93fbb31.jpg)
Iām sure youāve noticed by now, thereās quite a bit of leaf litter. I know the whole tannin look isnāt everyoneās cup of tea, quite literally. I enjoy it though. No, not because it āsoftens your waterā. Iām sure thatās not happening. Iāve found it does wonders for the bettaās colors and the extra health benefits are a massive plus.
Hereās the betta.
![IMG_2501.jpeg IMG_2501.jpeg](https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/data/attachments/1282/1282517-94178fd62cbd021146d89f3eddd53bb1.jpg)
![IMG_2220.jpeg IMG_2220.jpeg](https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/data/attachments/1282/1282518-8debc5fbb6cc97363946366c17a4bf28.jpg)
![IMG_2187.jpeg IMG_2187.jpeg](https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/data/attachments/1282/1282519-5d316ef266e3ce1695f87210eaa2de7c.jpg)
![Grinning squinting face :laughing: š](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/joypixels/emoji-assets@5.0/png/64/1f606.png)