Chickadee, when I see a reference to betta puddles, I like to refer to this thread. It displays quite eloquently why a betta puddle bears little resemblance to the cup at the LFS.
Aquarium Fish and Coral Reef Forum
Contrary to your concerns about betta tank mates, I have found that my bettas do fine in my community tank settings as long as they are not asked to live with nippy fish like barbs or some tetras. I am sure that some bettas have problems with things like guppies or platies but right now my big blue veiltail is living in an endler tank with no problems on either side and the red veiltail is in my 120 gallon community with no problems. I am well aware that betta personalities vary quite a bit so I watch them the first few days after I get them home to make sure I have not gotten hold of an especially aggressive one. In my experience, somewhat limited, a betta does best in a huge tank where they can really move about and enjoy themselves.