I put a backing on the aquarium yesterday, and today I completely redid the interior design. I changed out literally everything except the fish!

I removed the old under gravel filter, the old gravel, and the old plastic plant, and replaced them with new gravel that's more natural looking, a different plastic plant that has longer softer fronds for the fish to hide in without damage, a decorative sunken pot feature that he can hide behind, and a betta hammock up near the surface.

Mystic was very curious about all the changes, and checked them out immediately. He's probably still a little stressed about the sudden change, but I'm hoping that once he gets used to it he'll find it more relaxing than the old decor with the constant bubbling and the tube he kept swimming into cutting into his playable water volume.

TODO: I need to put a backing on the aquarium so it feels more cozy. I think Mystic is getting a little agoraphobic with the tank out on the kitchen counter. I moved some stuff on the counter around the tank on three sides to make it feel a little more sheltered.

UPDATE: DONE (7/29/16)

I also tried to adjust the light so the switch would work properly but I couldn't get it to work. It's just a bad design. I bent the contact inside to leave it permanently shorted, and I'll just unplug it to turn it off until I can get a light timer for it.

Petsmart still didn't have any bettas, so I went on down to the Petco in Beltsville and they had a ton of them, including a newly arrived shipment. (The Petco seemed to be better stocked overall, so they may become my go-to store.)

I picked up a blue mail veil tailed betta I have named Mystic.

Took out the tank and set it up. Tried tape to get the broken light to stay on, but had no luck. Filled the tank and added water conditioner. Went to the store looking for a betta, but they didn't have any. :-(