my betta tank questions

[burglar_4]

Not filling the tank to the top - I've actually been wondering about that myself, I've read that it's beneficial for the water surface to have some movement and oxygen exchange, but also leaving some space for the betta to breathe easily at the surface.

[wyrmhide]

I think it's coming along great, the setup looks nice. Adding a few more plants would be beneficial for your betta though. I've heard they're really fun to have, so I'm sure you'll enjoy this new addition.

I don't fill the tank to the top because it can get pretty messy with equipment splashes and the like. Plus, with a lid-less tank, there's the risk of the betta making a break for it - you know, that infamous last jump.

[burglar_4]

I always go for lids, personally, since I'm a fan of nerites and they just love to crawl out if they get the chance. The look of a full tank is great too, but you do need that lid to keep your betta from making a break for it, or just to contain any splashes from equipment.

[florap]

This looks fantastic. I'm all about the plants - more plants, more plants, more plants. Now that I've got that out of the way, I just wanted to mention a few things to consider.

When you've got a chance, take a closer look around the heater and the wood in the tank. Run your fingers over and under it to make sure there aren't any spots where your betta could get stuck if it gets spooked. I'm thinking about during water changes or when the lights are too bright, or even if there's loud music playing - anything that could scare your betta and cause it to try to hide. If it does get stuck, it could end up with some damage that might lead to a bacterial infection.

Just something to be aware of. Your fish is absolutely gorgeous, by the way.

[bloomingroses]

Thanks for the heads up, guys. I usually leave about 2cm at the top of the tank, but with the hot weather and high humidity here, the water evaporates pretty quickly. The tank does have a lid, with two corners cut out for the power cords, so I'm not too worried about jumping. @florap, I'll double-check, but I did try to keep equipment and hardscape away from the sides where possible, and any gaps between them have been left a bit wider to prevent her getting stuck. I'm looking forward to getting some more live plants in soon, and I appreciate all the advice on making sure the tank is safe and comfortable for my new betta.