OK, I can understand that....
Come back when you're ready. (Or hang out here and talk to us. LOL)
(A betta's home doesn't need to be 'high tech.' I don't even bother with gravel, since I do frequent water changes.... That said, there are people who have some awesome high-tech tanks, too. It just depends on your personal preference, etc.... So there are lots and lots of options.)
As for the tropical tank.... I'm not sure if you're logging in here through
www.bettafish.com, or
www.tropicalfishkeeping.com, but we're apparently members of both forums.
So if you're coming in through bettafish.com, I suggest going here:
http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/. There's a whole bunch of forums and information for tropical tanks, fish, etc.