View Full Version : Fish Bowl
kamla
03-07-2005, 10:57 AM
FISH BOWL
O.K. I already know what you guy are going to say about getting a fish bowl.. But hear me out…
My niece (9 years old) wants a fish tank, but she has no place to put it in her room. So I heard her mom tell her they she can buy a fish bowl and add goldfish to it :sad
Knowing her MOM she will do it even when I advise her its not a good idea.
So my question is if she does end up with a fish bowl. Is there any way I can help to make it a better home..
I could persuade her to get a Siamese fighter (SP?) :idea2:
What could I do about the filter and heater in a fish bowl.
Please help.. also if you guys no of any articles that explain why a fish bowl is not good , With Pics after all she is 9 years old.
Thax guys….. :o
tel0004
03-07-2005, 11:07 AM
A betta in a fish bowl would be ok, just try to get one of the biggest bowls out there. What if you got her a 5 gallon tank instead. They have some complete setups with a heater and filter for really cheep. The betta would love it in there, plus you could add some ghost shrimp, or something small for a tankmate.
kamla
03-07-2005, 11:13 AM
I was ready to chip in for a 10 gal but her mom said No Tank... only a fish bowl....
do i need a filter and heater for the bowl ???? and could i add the shrimp in a bowl...
tel0004
03-07-2005, 11:28 AM
There really is no effective way to filter and heat a small bowl. Just change the water every other day. I think in a small bowl you should just stick to the betta , and noting else. Just get the biggest bowl you can find.
kamla
03-07-2005, 11:33 AM
the reason i was asking about a filter is because I know her MOM will not keep up with the water changes. And the little kid will not be allowed to cart water in a bucket around the house..
I feel this is goin to be a no win situation…
kamla
03-07-2005, 11:38 AM
i have seen little filters with cotton and a air pump will that work to keep the Bowl clean..
so a betta would not require a heater
thax for your help BTW
beachbuum04
03-07-2005, 11:39 AM
Besides the problem of water changes, goldfish aren't equipped to live without filtration. Bettas and gouramis have a labyrinth organ which allows them "gulp" air directly from the surface of the water and also from oxygen in the water. Goldfish do not have labyrinth organs so they need oxygen in the water, i.e. from a filter. I'd say this is reason enough to convince her not to get a goldfish but perhaps a betta (water changes are still absolutely necessary!!) ;)
racingjason
03-07-2005, 11:41 AM
For $25 you can get those 2 gallon bow front kits. Just add gravel and fish!
Swimfins
03-07-2005, 11:44 AM
The tank is much healthier than the bowl, you should tell the mom that the bowl will start to stink and the tank is easier to keep lol
The STINK factor might help, plus the potential spill factor of a bowl.. Rub it in thil she submits lol :)
kamla
03-07-2005, 11:49 AM
Racingjason.. thax for ur reply.. but money is not a problem. i am ready to spend money to get her a10 gal tank.. but her Mom will not let her get it..
so i thought of a bowl, i could add a betta in it..
my main concern is water quality.. I know they will not keep up with PWC.
So I was thinking of get a small filter.. the ones operated with a air pump…
kamla
03-07-2005, 11:51 AM
Swimfins that the best advise i have heard LOL.. i will try again this weekend..
i dont under her MOM, i am ready to pay for all the expenses but still she will not agree for a tank :(
will keep you guys posted :o
OrionGirl
03-07-2005, 11:59 AM
Bowls can keep bettas alive, but not in great conditions. Keeping the temperature stable is the primary problem. The second concern is that without regular (ie, daily, or every other day) water cahnges, the tendency is to completely clean the tank once a month, removing all the beneficial bacteria.
I would have to say "If you are not going to allow her to have a tank that can properly provide for the fishes needs, a bowl is not an appropriate substitute for the animals. It would be better to do this right, and will be glad to help with that." And stand firm on that--when the Mom does the bowl and the goldfish, and they die, maybe she will talk to you and try doing it right rather than putting up with a very unhappy child.
Glass fish always look nice. That was how my mom always kept a bowl of fish. Top off the water every so often. Forget to feed them? No problem. Vacations? No problem.
Righto OrionGirl ... i just wanted her to do it right.. i just spoke to her over th e phone..
she still will not listen... so told her not to get the fish bowl..
She has agreed... so we will wait till we can make some place for a 10 gal in room..
i canot wait to get started.. i thinki am more exceited then my little neice..
Thax 2 everyone for thier replys... i will let you guys know when we get her a 10 gal tank..
Kamla
Raskolnikov
03-07-2005, 1:37 PM
If you think that they aren't going to keep up with regular water changes and maintenence on a bowl, why would you set them up with a 10 gallon tank, or any tank for that matter?
It sounds like TKOS's suggestion is the best one so far.
.
Raskolnikov: you r right!!!! Never though of it
I was just trying to help… maybe if she get a bowl, she will not endanger more fish…
I think I am going to remove myself from this situation, but every time I go over to their house I will have to look at a fish in a small little bowl..
I guess either way, some poor fish is goin to suffer…
BTW my niece started asking for a tank after she saw the fish at my apt… so I feel responsible…
Boohoo
03-07-2005, 2:04 PM
Last night I was browsing on Ebay and they have a great solution for your situation. Kids would love the idea. It is a gumball machine fish bowl. Ornamental. Comes with some fish, turtles, plants, etc. No maintainance required.
Last night I was browsing on Ebay and they have a great solution for your situation. Kids would love the idea. It is a gumball machine fish bowl. Ornamental. Comes with some fish, turtles, plants, etc. No maintainance required.
You are kidding right? I know of the setup you speak of but no maintainance?
Boohoo
03-08-2005, 1:06 AM
Ornamental Everything including fake fish.
Seems like a good idea will run it by her Mom...
hurdledude1298
03-08-2005, 4:07 PM
i am currently housing 2 goldfish(comets) and a betta in a fish bowl (just because i dont have anywhere else to put them right now and i dont want to flush them.) but they seem fine and are active it is like 1.5 gallons and i know its overstocked but the goldfish breathe fine in there
OrionGirl
03-08-2005, 4:37 PM
That the fish are still alive does not mean they are 'okay', nor does it mean it's a good idea worth recommending to others.
beachbuum04
03-08-2005, 8:34 PM
i am currently housing 2 goldfish(comets) and a betta in a fish bowl (just because i dont have anywhere else to put them right now and i dont want to flush them.) but they seem fine and are active it is like 1.5 gallons and i know its overstocked but the goldfish breathe fine in there
1. Goldfish are cold water fish while bettas are tropical fish. They absolutely should not be kept together!!!!!
2. How can you tell the goldfish is breathing just fine?? You can't deny the basic physiology of the fish...if they don't have the organ necessary for taking oxygen straight from the atmosphere then they are not breathing "just fine".
3. Comet goldfish get to be about 6 inches or more so they'll eventually need to be moved.
I highly recommend separating the goldfish and betta...at least give the goldfish a bubble stone if not a 10+ gallon aquarium with a filter.
Bobafish
03-08-2005, 8:54 PM
Don't get the fishbowl, my sister had one with a bubble eyed goldfish in it and it died within like a month. It is NOT WORTH IT if the fish is just going to die. so tell her dont do in unless you get a bigger tank.
Kasakato
03-08-2005, 9:48 PM
If you must get a bowl, make it a fish less tank. Some glass fish would do good. Betta's need heat so it cant really be placed in a bowl, and goldfish need at least a 20g tank so it is pointless.
Lucretia
03-08-2005, 10:08 PM
why not just get her mum to get one of those aquatic screensavers for the pc or maybe theres a computer program with fish on it that you have to feed and do water changes on? if so maybe thats there best choice lol
kamla
03-09-2005, 11:42 AM
Thax guys.. last night I was over their house and I showed her this thread..
She was shocked. She read other threads also,
The good news is that this thread talked her out of getting a bowl also she promised that unless she is ready for a the commitment to the fish she will not get a tank either..
I tried telling her all this and she did not listen, but when she read it online.. its like a light bulb went on..
BTW: we are now trying to explain to the little one why she cannot get gold fish
Wish me luck.. at least the hard part is over
Once again thax guys..
beachbuum04
03-09-2005, 11:50 AM
Yay! Another fish saved!!!! :dance
OrionGirl
03-09-2005, 11:55 AM
There are several 'fish' you can get for screen savers and as games. They vary between just pretty pictures, to fish that have to be fed and 'played' with daily. For some, you can buy additional fish, decorations, etc. Insaniquarium is a game that might be appealing (though the weird alien attacks really are strange). Might be worth a look, you can download a trial for free and the whole thing only costs $20.