Here is a picture of the new betta we just bought. Unfortunately they are a little out of focus. Will try again later. He is what is known as a crowntail betta.

Here's a photo of a green plant that I cannot ID. Hopefully I'll find out what it is. The pet shop owner didn't know what it was.

Since first posting this, the plant is a Pennywort. This plant can be either rooted in the substrate or used as a floating plant My fish guru, as I call her, says this plant, as a floating plant would be great in the betta tank. So, I guess that's where it will go. My thanks to Dawn Moneyhan, my fish guru, for all the help she has given me. It's not a plant that is easy to grow.

Here's a look at the new cave I obtained today while visiting a new pet store in Lake City, FL about 37 miles from us. Was very impressed with their aquarium supplies, fish, plants, etc. They seem to know their fish and care for them.

My 5 gal tank with an Amazon sword plant and a Palm filter which will be replaced with a Foster & Smith bio system power filter.

A photo of my 3 gal Eclipse which will be my betta tank. The plant is one of the anubias I got. Only temporarily placed in the tank for now.

A photo of 2 anubias plants I got.

Here's my 5 gal betta tank, all ready for some live plants and the betta. Just got the artifical decorations in today May 14, 2005/

Here's my 3 gal Eclipse temporarily set up, waiting for some live plants and 2 or 3 fish to be added. Set up May 14, 2009.

Today, 5/14, 2009, I got some artificial plants and decorations in so I added them to my 20 gal long tank. At least it adds a little color while awaiting to get some live plants.

A closeup of the new aquarium just freshly filled. Have everything running except the heater which I don't need. The water out of the tap was running 78 degrees. I did treat the tank with AquaSafe. Will be letting it run for a while before adding the plants which won't be in for another 2 weeks, if I get all I asked for. Right now just have a printed background to cover up the wires.

Spent most of yesterday cleaning all the gravel for this one (25 pounds) plus 10 more pounds of gravel for my 3 gal Eclipse and 5 gal Mini-Bow betta tank.

The Python system was used to empty the tank in its temp location and to fill it in the new location. That system is really nice and it looks like it will save a lot of work. I may have to get a smaller gravel cleaner and siphon for the smaller tanks.

Right now, it looks sort of empty with no plants or fish. But we'll wait and get it conditioned before adding them.

Our aquarium filled and in its permanent location. It's in the living room but at the beginning of a hallway. I added an extention cord which is attached to the shelf I added in the back. Drip loops on all cords( heater, filter and light).

Here's a look at the front of the stand with the new added shelf. I'll be able to get most of my fish supplies in here including the 5 gal quarantine tank.

I added a free standing shelf to my aquarium stand. This is a photo of the back of it.

Here is the beginning of a new hobby and life long dream of owning an aquarium with tropical fish. This is an Aqueon 20 gallon long tank. This is a temporary set up for this new aquarium to check for leaks and to see what the evaporation rate will be.

I filled the tank today, water temp 78 degrees and pH 7.4-7.6. I have well water and live in northern Florida.

Later I'll empty the tank, add washed gravel, some rocks, plants and finally some fish. This whole process will take some 3-4 weeks as I go through the various steps with the help of my fish guru, Dawn, who lives in Wisconsin. Hope you will join me as I go through setting it up completely.