Betta Bowls
- Thread starter palmbreeze
- Start date
You should get one of set ups that the filters come with. I would add a small heater too. I find that they're fantastic for keeping bettas in. I wouldn't go smaller than a 2 gallon for his tank because, as I'm sure you know, they make use of their whole tank, unlike people think. But until he heals from the attack, I would keep him confined to one of those small bowls, or even a cup. He needs to heal, not be swimming around potentially further damaging his fins. I wouldn't use a filter either which would agitate the water. He needs to be still. Just do a lot of water changes so the water is always very clean. I would use Seachem Stressguard and a antibiotic to prevent infections and rot.
I also agree with the post above me, provide a soft leaved plant near the surface of the water for him to rest on to prevent him moving a lot and becoming stressed by having to swim to keep afloat. My betta likes to sleep on his and lifts his head when he wants some air!
Petco is actually having a sale on aquarium kits right now. http://www.petco.com/Shop/ProductLi...294963526&cm_re=apr1032808-_-20pkits-_-center
I think Ebay is cheaper. Or you could ask on Freecycle or Craigslist, which would probably be even cheaper and local so you won't have to pay s&h.
I have my betta in a ten gallon with other fish, don't feel bad. Some are compatible and it works out, some aren't. He's going into my 20 gallon soon with the rest of his tank mates.
I also agree with the post above me, provide a soft leaved plant near the surface of the water for him to rest on to prevent him moving a lot and becoming stressed by having to swim to keep afloat. My betta likes to sleep on his and lifts his head when he wants some air!
Petco is actually having a sale on aquarium kits right now. http://www.petco.com/Shop/ProductLi...294963526&cm_re=apr1032808-_-20pkits-_-center
I think Ebay is cheaper. Or you could ask on Freecycle or Craigslist, which would probably be even cheaper and local so you won't have to pay s&h.
I have my betta in a ten gallon with other fish, don't feel bad. Some are compatible and it works out, some aren't. He's going into my 20 gallon soon with the rest of his tank mates.
Why do you acclimate fish? To prevent any shock from water chemistry. If you're changing water every three days, there isn't much chance of a water chemistry change. If you only change small amounts, you're not getting all of the bad water out, and you cannot cycle a 1g jar. Email any top betta breeder and they'll tell you that if you're using a 1g jar, you need to do 100%.
"He got pretty stressed seeming from the 50% water change I did, I couldn't imagine a complete change."
That's because you went from store water cup to bowl, totally different water chemistry, with the added stress of bringing the poor thing home. Get a gallon of water, test it, let it sit three days, then check the water chemistry again. No sensible betta breeder/owner that has 1g bowls change anything less than 100%
That's because you went from store water cup to bowl, totally different water chemistry, with the added stress of bringing the poor thing home. Get a gallon of water, test it, let it sit three days, then check the water chemistry again. No sensible betta breeder/owner that has 1g bowls change anything less than 100%
BettaFishMommy
finkids make me happy :-)
just wanted to maybe defend BettaCreek a tad.
yes, true, nice owners do not cramp their fish in 1 gal bowls, but for the betta breeder, we do not have room to house each fish individually in a minimum 5 gal tank - that could mean having over 100 tanks! As well, a majority of our fish are sold once they reach a certain age, so if the new keeper of the fish is knowledgeable, the fish will get a nice big home. It is unfortunate that many people buy bettas and stick them in tiny torture bowls. It is unfortunate that any mistakes are made with any fish, but we all have made them at some point or another. There should be some sort of license system in place for owning fish.... lol.
In regards to the 100% water changes. I have done both - 100% and partial, for my bettas that have yet to be upgraded to "real" tanks. the 100% change did not stress my fish any more than the partial changes as far as environment disruption (i did experiements doing 25%, 50% and 75%), but what i did notice was that the level of ammonia did not satisfactorily decrease with the 25 and 50 % changes, and was only a little better with the 75%. That being said, shouldn't we worry more about having our fish in clean water, especially in such a small environment? and as far as i know, there is no chance for good bacteria to develop if you are doing even a once weekly change on an unfiltered bowl anyway, so you are not really preserving anything by doing only a partial change.
This seems to be a bit of a heated thread. would like to know everybodys views.
yes, true, nice owners do not cramp their fish in 1 gal bowls, but for the betta breeder, we do not have room to house each fish individually in a minimum 5 gal tank - that could mean having over 100 tanks! As well, a majority of our fish are sold once they reach a certain age, so if the new keeper of the fish is knowledgeable, the fish will get a nice big home. It is unfortunate that many people buy bettas and stick them in tiny torture bowls. It is unfortunate that any mistakes are made with any fish, but we all have made them at some point or another. There should be some sort of license system in place for owning fish.... lol.
In regards to the 100% water changes. I have done both - 100% and partial, for my bettas that have yet to be upgraded to "real" tanks. the 100% change did not stress my fish any more than the partial changes as far as environment disruption (i did experiements doing 25%, 50% and 75%), but what i did notice was that the level of ammonia did not satisfactorily decrease with the 25 and 50 % changes, and was only a little better with the 75%. That being said, shouldn't we worry more about having our fish in clean water, especially in such a small environment? and as far as i know, there is no chance for good bacteria to develop if you are doing even a once weekly change on an unfiltered bowl anyway, so you are not really preserving anything by doing only a partial change.
This seems to be a bit of a heated thread. would like to know everybodys views.
Thank you. So far, I have yet to notice any difference between a betta in a 10 by itself and a betta in a 1g jar setup with other fish around them. My jarred bettas have nothing "fun" or "fancy" in the jars, no plants, no "toys" or decorations, and they're all extremely active and always have bubble nests going. I keep them entertained with live foods and neighbors. Everyone has their own views about what is "right". As someone who breeds bettas, or someone who has very limited space, a 5g tank is not a necessity, but, when you use smaller containers, you do need to change your maintenance schedule. A lot of top breeders actually use those 4x4x8 beanie boxes for their juveniles.
i notice a difference between my betta in my 10g w/ company and my sisters betta in the 1.5 hex w/o company.
the betta in the 10 goes everywhere, explores everything.. but he does like having his little plant area in there to swim through/chill in. sometimes he gets annoyed with the company, but thats usually at feeding time because he cant get to the food as fast as the rasboras.
my sisters betta in the 1.5g hex was a lot less active than mine. he died a few days later.. but it's bc he was sick at the LFS, which mightve also had a say in how active he was.
i think the 2.5-5 gallons are perfect for 1 betta solely as a pet. the 2.5-3s dont take up much space at all. i dont like the fish bowls, or even my sisters 1.5 gallon hex tank.. even though it does look kind of neato.
there are kinda spacious "bowls" nowadays, but its the lack of filtration and heating that i dont like.
the betta in the 10 goes everywhere, explores everything.. but he does like having his little plant area in there to swim through/chill in. sometimes he gets annoyed with the company, but thats usually at feeding time because he cant get to the food as fast as the rasboras.
my sisters betta in the 1.5g hex was a lot less active than mine. he died a few days later.. but it's bc he was sick at the LFS, which mightve also had a say in how active he was.
i think the 2.5-5 gallons are perfect for 1 betta solely as a pet. the 2.5-3s dont take up much space at all. i dont like the fish bowls, or even my sisters 1.5 gallon hex tank.. even though it does look kind of neato.
there are kinda spacious "bowls" nowadays, but its the lack of filtration and heating that i dont like.
I will go with the common knowledge that 2.5 gal tank or bowl is the min. for one betta for life.
Breeding, raising bettas and selling bettas is different and then it's acceptable to put bettas into jars or tiny bowls.
Breeding, raising bettas and selling bettas is different and then it's acceptable to put bettas into jars or tiny bowls.
