Betta Bowls
- Thread starter palmbreeze
- Start date
Thanks everyone! Problem is we have limited funds right now and I don't want to setup some fancy aquarium at work. I already have a bowl and it would be easy to setup. I just want to make him feel better. He is all alone (he's not use to) and his fins are ripped to shreds. I feel if I take him to work with me he'd be happier. I have 5 gallon aquariums lying around at home, but that is just too big for my desk. I think he would love the bowl - I have a lot of live plants to choose from for him. How often would I clean the bowl? Do 100% water changes and add prime weekly? Or just do little water changes every few days and add prime?
I'd go with smaller water changes every few days. 100% WC is a hassle for you and an unnecessary stress on the fish.
I know how these cheap little tanks work. You buy a cheap little tank then a hood, then a light, then a filter, heater, gravel, then you have to cycle it. By the time you do all that you are already at $50. Plus if I wait to cycle a tank my betta might die by then. Am I missing something or doing something wrong? Is there a cheaper way?
If the plants you have would survive without a hood and you have the gravel and plants, you can buy a 2.5 gal plain for $15, a large jar, or even a rubbermaid (though if you're keeping him at work, of course, this is not the way to go.) The largest Kritter Keepers cost $11(for a more attractive cover, take some large weave material and some elastic, arrange artsily). You can maintain a 3 gal aquarium the same way as a bowl.
In fact
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753120
The bad reviews are basically from people discovering that goldfish are not supposed to be kept in bowls.
What size is the bowl? If you don't know, post the radius and I'll happily find it the gallons it holds for you.
In fact
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753120
The bad reviews are basically from people discovering that goldfish are not supposed to be kept in bowls.
What size is the bowl? If you don't know, post the radius and I'll happily find it the gallons it holds for you.
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Do not do minor water changes on a small bowl. You must do 100%. Every three days should be just fine.
I haven't seen any fish take a 100% change very easily. Isn't that why we acclimate new fish?
Yeah seriously. My boyfriend and I bought Bettas at the same time so we put his in a 1 gallon bowl I have so he wouldn't be stuck in the cup for 3 days. He got pretty stressed seeming from the 50% water change I did, I couldn't imagine a complete change.
If you have another aquarium (55 gallon?) use some media from that tank to jumpstart the cycle on the 3-5 gallon one. Then do small, frequent wc's like suggested. Trust us, it is a MUCH better option than an unfiltered, unheated one gallon bowl.
