Possible Spawning Predicaments

Someone may also be thinking "What is so complicated about spawning fish? Don't you just throw them in together and let them have at it?"

Sadly, bettas like to make life MUCH harder than that, my friends. This is no simple task. Unlike guppies, you can't just throw two in together and watch your tank explode with tiny baby fish. Bettas are picky. They must have everything the way they want it. Sometimes, it's for good reason. Other times, it makes very little since to me why it needs to be such a way.

The spawning tank is typically 5 to 10 gallons. It is only to be filled halfway with water, kept around an 80 to 82 degree temperature, and kept completely gravel-less on the bottom (this is for the collection of the fertilized eggs). A slow bubbling carbon filter should be added to help water clarity. Along with this you will also need the right chemicals, a cluster of plants thick enough to hide in, a way to temporarily separate the female from the male, and half a Styrofoam cup.
...yes, I just said what you think I said.
The half a cup is place in a way that a male betta can blow a bubble nest. The male betta cares for the eggs and young hatchlings with this creation. He will keep them wedged between the bubbles in a comfortable cushion of protection. Nothing, not even the female, is allowed near this nest after spawning.

And no, being picky does not stop here.
As I have SADLY experienced, you can get a few pairs of bettas (or lots of pairs of bettas) that will refuse to spawn even in the best of conditions. The males are not going to strut their stuff for just any female, and the girls will not always be impressed by what the male has to offer.
Not to mention, there is no guarantee the male will know what he is doing. Eggs could accidentally be eaten by him, fry left on the bottom of the tank away from the comfort of the nest... there is no telling what could happen next.

This is why I ask for a few little prayers. Once I get everything together, I truly want to to be successful this time!

Introduction

Welcome to the Betta Labyrinth.

As you've seen by now, my name is Meg. I shall be your (slightly) humble host through this blogging experiment.
Some of you may be asking yourself about the name I chose for my blog... or not. You could be the cynical types waiting to post about how crappy my blog is. Go ahead. Excite yourself. For the people who might actually be curious, I shall explain.

Bettas, or Siamese Fighting Fish, host a unique "labyrinth" organ. This organ is used to draw air from the surface of the water, as if taking a breath.
To me, this is also a play on words. The definition of Labyrinth is "an intricate combination of paths or passages in which it is difficult to find one's way".
Now you're probably confused. Well, this is where I explain what this is all about! I am going to attempt something I have been wanting to do for a very long time. Spawning bettas. I have attempted this before, only to conclude many failures. To me, this is my labyrinth, and I have lost my way many times. This time, I'm taking this on as a true project. I wish to find my way to the end of the maze.
This time I'm determined to get a matched set of bettas and have a successful spawning. I'm going to get everything they need, with no cut backs and no settling for less.

This first post marks the beginning of my project.
Ready, set... BUY A LIST OF EXPENSIVE OBJECTS!!
...ok, maybe I shouldn't put it that way...
...but it is expensive...

(This project is dedicated to a little betta named Johnny Storm, rescued from a pet store in bad condition. I kept him for a while, but his health was poor when I got him. He did not live long. I want people to realize that fish may be fish, but they have lives like any other animals. They do not deserve to be abused.)