In their natural habitat, bettas live in murky, stagnant water. Although they can survive in very small, cramped tanks, it's healthier for the fish to give it a larger environment. Look for a tank that is holds around five gallons of water, as this will give the fish plenty of space. Do not keep your betta in a tank smaller than one gallon. Since betta fish breathe air directly from the top of the water, your tank does not need a filtration system. In fact, it's better if the tank doesn't have onethe current created by the filtration is stressful to bettas. . Wash the fish tank thoroughly and then rinse the gravel carefully in hot tap water. Do not use soap or detergent on the gravel. Then layer the gravel carefully at the bottom of the tank. Rinse any decorations and put them into the tank. The tank does not necessarily have to be a traditional fish tank; any large container will do. It's important that you include gravel in the fish tank. Opt for a neutral color, and for relatively small-grained gravel. The neutral color will calm your betta, and bacteria that build up on the gravel will digest your fish's waste and keep the water relatively clean. Do not use mineral water in the tank, since it lacks important minerals that your betta fish will need. It's important that, when filled with tap water, your fish tank will have plenty of surface area at the top. Betta fish do breathe underwater like most fish, but come up to the surface for an extra gulp of air at times. For this reason, a narrow-topped container like a wine bottle does not make a suitable tank for a betta. A conditioner will remove chlorine (which is unhealthy for fish) from your tap water, and also filter out other impurities and heavy metals. Follow the instructions on the conditioner bottle, and remember to add this as you fill the tank with water. You'll also need to add conditioner every time you change the water in the fish tank (roughly once a week). If you bought your betta at a pet store, you should have received a water conditioner specifically made for bettas. If you were not given one, you'll need to purchase a conditioner on your own. Conditioners should be available at any pet store, and can also be easily purchased online. The amount of conditioner that you use will vary based on the size of your fish tank. Follow the directions on the bottle regarding the amount of conditioner to use, and the amount of time to let it mix in the water before it's safe for your fish. If you live in a rural area where the tap water is not chlorinated, you may not need to use a conditioner. Some conditioners get rid of heavy metals though, so you can use it if you need.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Choose a tank for your betta. Prepare the tank Fill up the tank with tap water. Purchase a water conditioner.

If you really want to have a successful and long-lasting relationship with an older woman, then you have to do more than just think of her as that sexy older woman you've been seeing. You have to make an effort to get to know the person who she really is and to remember that age is just a number. Let her see that you care about getting to know her and that you truly value the time you spend together. Here's how: Take the time to really listen to her when she talks to you. Put away your phone, make eye contact, and don't interrupt her. Ask her questions about her childhood, her work, her friends, her family, and the things that interest her. Show her that you really want to know everything about her. Check in with her when you're apart to show that you care about how her day is going and that you're thinking of her. Give her compliments that show her that she really stands out to you. Don't just tell her she's hot; compliment her sense of humor or other aspects of her personality that really matter. If you want to make your relationship last, then you can't be clingy. You have to respect the fact that your older woman is her own person and that she has a life going on outside of being with you. This could mean her time at work, spending nights with her girlfriends, or all of the time she spends doing her own thing, whether it's yoga, writing poetry, or cooking. Don't be needy or ask her to hang out with you all the time, and appreciate the fact that she has a life outside of your relationship. Show an interest in the things she does when you're not together. Ask her about her friends, her job, and her hobbies to show that you care. You can check in with her when you're apart, but don't call her three times when she's hanging out with her girlfriends; you don't want her to think that you have nothing else going on or that you're jealous. If you want to make your relationship last, then you should be able to hold your own when it comes to having a conversation with your girlfriend. You don't want her to feel like she's doing all of the talking or like you don't have any opinions of your own to contribute. You have to show her that you're thoughtful, mature, and articulate if you want to keep her interested. Read up on politics, world news, and other timely events. If she brings up a current event, you don't want to look completely clueless. Talk about your experiences, such as your childhood memories or any traveling you've done. Don't think that your experiences aren't valid just because you're younger. If something funny happened to you that day, then get comfortable sharing it. Don't think that it has to be all serious just because you're with a mature woman. Avoid talking about topics that make you sound young. If you got in a silly fight with your roommate or have to beg your parents for money, then these topics may be best avoided. If you want your relationship to last, then you can't keep doing the same old thing with your girlfriend every time you go out. Be on the lookout for new restaurants to try, new places to visit, and new activities to try together, from taking salsa lessons to cooking an Italian meal together. If you get too comfortable doing the same thing together day after day, then you may come off as complacent and the older woman, who has more experience, may be wanting something more. Though it's great to develop some traditions to do together, you don't want to fall into the same old dull routine day after day. Make sure you do something new together at least once a week. Write her a love letter telling her how much she means to you just because. Don't think that the romance has to stop just because you've been together for a while. Be spontaneous. Suggest a weekend trip the day before, or take her on a surprise date to do something she's always wanted to try, such as rock climbing. After you've been with your older woman for a while, you can start to ask yourself if it's meant to be. If you feel like you've forgotten all about your age difference and that you have a meaningful, fun, and fulfilling relationship, then hats off to you. However, if you find that the most exciting thing about your relationship is your age difference and that that has worn off, then it's time to move on. If you find that dating an older woman was just a novelty, then you may not be in the relationship for the right reasons. Be honest with yourself. If the older woman wants more than you are comfortable giving her, then you may have to part ways. However, if you're having an amazing time dating an older woman, then continue to enjoy your amazing relationship for as long as you want.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary --
Show a real interest in who she is. Give her space. Learn to hold up your end of the conversation. Keep things exciting. See if it's meant to last.