u/jyanii3

I'm in shock by how different Bomi looks after 3 weeks out of his cup at the store. I knew their colors would change but I didn't realize he'd become so big and vibrant so quickly. I didn't realize at the time but I think he was quite young when I rescued him. I passed by some Bettas in another store and they were much larger. He's recently started sleeping on his leaf hammock every night instead of hiding behind a rock and made his first bubble nest. He is my first fish and it's been so beautiful to see him grow and thrive and to know that I've created a healthy and safe environment for him to live in.

Appearance in his cup from the big box store versus after 12 hours in his new tank. He spent his first week in a hospital tank with daily water changes so I could monitor him. Had drip tests done at an aquarium store yesterday and they confirmed the tank should be cycled and parameters were safe for him to go in. I can tell he's still a bit stressed from the transition last night but his appearance has improved a lot this last week and every now and again he'll relax a bit and fluff out. Can't wait to see how he does in the planted tank, he's a trooper.

I ordered a new piece of decor after reading good reviews for it, I am reluctant to add plastic to my tank but I wanted an additional spot for my betta to hide and figured this was a cute and affordable one. My tank is still cycling so no fish in yet. I know the gravel isn't an ideal substrate but as I've added plants things have seemed more or less normal until I added the plastic piece and noticed a very off smell. I walked into my room and swore I smelled a weed or skunk smell, when sniffing the tank it almost smelled like a sharp dirt or mildew odor until I realized it reminded me of chemicals. I took the piece out and noticed the odor on it, now I'm a bit freaked out because I'm not sure if it's what caused it or that the smell is just sticking to it. I did soak it before adding it to the tank.

In addition to the gravel, I have a java fern, anubias, African water fern, and dwarf hairgrass, along with two pieces of mopani wood and an almond leaf which were soaked/boiled before adding. I've been treating with Seachem Prime and Stability for about 5 days now along with adding a few pieces of betta food every couple days to help speed up the cycle. Water parameters are all normal. No traces of ammonia and minimal nitrites and nitrates at this time. My questions are these:

Could anything else in the tank have suddenly caused this off/chemical smell?

If it's the plastic decor, do I need to do a water change now? I would hate to remove any beneficial bacteria that's built up the last few weeks...