Question For Only Those Of You Who House Their Betta In A Bowl

[Galanta]

OK people... I believe the purpose of a forum is to interact, share and ENRICH one another's experience. The purpose of a forum is not to argue.

I will agree with the one point that if Cloud has had her fish for 2.5 years, whatever she is doing cannot be ALL wrong. Sadly I know other people who killed there fish within just a week or two.

But I do have to say - and I don't want to sound mean here, Cloud - but if you have not joined this forum to learn FROM others and see what you can improve in your existence, then you are here for the wrong reason and would maybe be better off joining another forum.

There are forums out there where most members keep their bettas in smaller containers, betta bowls with plants, etc. They SWEAR by it. And noone there will offer you any argument. I have seen them and decided not to join there, but to join here.

You see, there is something you could call "personal reality". That is what is true FOR YOU. You have your reality and the majority of the members at this forum have their own. Unfortunately in this case the two realities clash. And no amount of insisting is going to make either side change if there is no willingness to learn and change.

You see you are really like a fish in a pool of shark insisting that vegetarianism is the way to go and trying to get the sharks to agree with you. And even if sharks could live on a protein rich vegetarian diet - I am sorry, but these "sharks" here will sooner tear you apart than accept your preaching.

You can decide to stay here and continuously argue to the result of you getting upset and feeling "misunderstood" and the forum members getting all offended by your "obvious stubborness" and fight it out "to the death".

Or you can find a forum where the "personal reality" of the members is maybe closer to yours and you can actually enjoy interacting with them.

I am not saying this because I don't like you or don't wish you to be a member here. But I think for the sake of your own peace of mind and the peace of mind of other forum members here you might want to look for a forum more suited for the kind of fish owner you are.

Or we can just close this particular subject and decide not to bring it up again - simply acknowledging that both sides have irreconcilable views. There is nothing to be gained from continued arguing - other than upset.

This is already the second thread we have managed to turn into an argument on the same subject. If we keep going like this, this is soon all that we will be "talking" (=arguing) about.

So I suggest that you join another forum - or if you really want to stay with us then let's zip up the mouth (both sides of the argument) and call a truce requiring neither party to raise the subject newly.

What do you say?

 

[lilacamy931]

I do agree with Galanta, accept differences and move onto happier places and get answering those forum questions! *rushes off to see what new threads there are*

 

[Glegorly]

It just seems a bit excessive. Heaters, filters, and huge tanks for just one betta fish. It's like doing something that doesn't need to be done because it makes no difference.

If you want to keep TROPICAL fish, you need a heater. If you don't, get coldwater instead. End of.

I guarantee you, buying that fish a bigger tank and using a heater will provide you with, literally, a different type of fish shown through colour intensity and personality.

 

[Forestpisces]

Hurray for galatna!!!!

 

[Cloud]

Is this not a discussion forum in which we can discuss out point of views? You have your point of view and I have mine, once in awhile there has to be conflict between both sides.

But anyways, I just noticed a 3 gallon tank isn't as big as I thought it was. For some reason I pictured a tank that consumed lots of space.

 

[Spishkey]

It just seems a bit excessive. Heaters, filters, and huge tanks for just one betta fish. It's like doing something that doesn't need to be done because it makes no difference.

If you want to keep TROPICAL fish, you need a heater. If you don't, get coldwater instead. End of.

sorry but that quote is just wrong. i keep tropical fish and do not have heaters on the majority of the tanks. on the few tanks that do have heaters installed..they are not plugged in. if your home/appartment/shed/whatever is warm enough...they just arent needed!

 

[Galanta]

OK guys, if you really just cannot let go of this dispute, can you please just start your own thread (instead of hijacking mine) and clearly label it "never ending arguing", so those of us who want peace and friendly conversation can know to stay clear of the constant bickering...?

 

[Forestpisces]

It just seems a bit excessive. Heaters, filters, and huge tanks for just one betta fish. It's like doing something that doesn't need to be done because it makes no difference.

If you want to keep TROPICAL fish, you need a heater. If you don't, get coldwater instead. End of.

sorry but that quote is just wrong. i keep tropical fish and do not have heaters on the majority of the tanks. on the few tanks that do have heaters installed..they are not plugged in. if your home/appartment/shed/whatever is warm enough...they just arent needed!

Indeed some countries are warm enough to allow this but heaters are still advised to keep the temperature constant.

To Cloud this forum is a discussion forum but it is also a main source of advise to everyone who needs it, and frankly you just seem to be adamant that you are right and are unwilling to accept that what your doing IS (despite being your way) what nearly every member on this forum believes to be wrong

We are not condeming you, we have all made mistakes but maybe you should listen to the advise being given to you rather than insisting that it's your way or the high way.

And no 3gallons is in no way a large tank, it will EASILY fit on any desk or side table.

End of arguement

Galanta you are a wonderful carer for your fish and i respect you completely

 

[Cloud]

Your all nuts.

I changed his tank this morning into a 3 Gallon one since I have a extra one. I want too see if he swims and "explores" the tank.

 

[Forestpisces]

i'm sure he will

And well done for doing it does he have a filter or heater?

Youve done the right thing


Out of intrest to Galanta which do you prefer bowls or tanks?

I used to be opposed to bowls but after seeing yours and a few others i'm being swayed, i assume the bowl is harder to maintain and in england it just wouldnt be practical as it cannot be heated easily.

 

[lilacamy931]

I certainly did consider bowls as well after seeing yours Galanta, it is reallly really stunning. Hmmm suppose could use heat mat of some sort but would be expensive way to run..

 

[Galanta]

Thank you for your kind words. I actually find it hilarious that you guys are looking at a fish bowl when I joined this forum, saw all these beautiful tanks and went "what was I ever thinking - sticking my fish in a bowl ?!?!" - LOL

Anyways - my husband has an Eclipse tank with an African Cichlid at home and I have my betta bowl at work. I definitely would say that I would not put a bowl anywhere where heating would be required for more than 2-3 months of the year. Unless it is in a place which is stably freezing cold and you can put one of these underwater heatpads which go under the rocks at the bottom and just raise the temperature by 10 degrees. But even there you will have at least one wire running out of the bowl and by that time the bowl looses the "aesthetic advantage".

I would overall say that a tank is better, though not necessarily because it is "less work". If you have a large size bowl it only takes max 30 min of weekly maintenance. Here are the general pros and cons - as I see it - on bowls:


PROs:

1. Can be arranged very artistically and used as an aesthetic "decor" item on top of being a functional fish home. (Maybe if you kept your living room always warm and had it in the middle of a large table or a counter; or in a reception area at work, etc.

2. The water generally stays nice and clear and thus shows the color of the fish better.

3. The magnifying effect of the orb is very cool and makes the ornaments look 10x better than in real life.

4. Is absolutely silent. Will not disturbe any people who are sensitive to noise when they are trying to concentrate.

5. No chance of fish being disturbed by too much current.

6. Never have to worry about algae.

7. Can totally rearrange the lay out on a weekly basis, if you easily get bored with how your tank looks.

8. Is extremely easy and fast to clean. Just scoop out fish, pull out ornaments and rinse out above a sink, refill - voila!

9. Cheaper in the long run, if you normally use filters which require you to purchase refill cartridges on a routine basis.

10. Is not dependent on there being any electrical outlet in the vicinity.


CONs:

1. Initially will not necessarily cost you much less to set up. I.e. a big glass bowl is NOT cheap. I actually paid $19 for mine and that was discounted! For that amount I could have bought a 5 gal tank at Walmart which already includes a filter and could have gotten a package of spare cartridges probably.

2. Large bubble bowls are not easy to find. No fish store sells anything this big. I think the biggest they have is maybe 1.5 - 2gal. I went to several flower shops and finally went to the downtown area where they have a huge flower market and large wholesale florist supply stores. Could not find anything this big that was made out of thick glass either (if I did, it probably would have cost $50.) The glass on my bowl is comparatively thin and I actually have to scoop out at least half the water before I can dare move it.

3. No real leeway of being lax on your water changes (though with my size I can go a couple of days past my weekly routine without any harm)

4. Weekly water changes of 80% or so could still be stressful to the fish (will only be able to be sure about that in a couple years time)

5. Having to scoop out your fish once a week (or even if only once every other week) is definitely stressful to the fish. Azumo has so gotten used to having his space that every time I scoop him into the Petco cup he came in, he instantly pales and shows pronounced stress stripes. After a couple of months I couldn't take it anymore and I dug up an old bubble bowl, which is at least 3/4 gal or more. So instead of letting him "suffer" for 15-30 min in the cup I scooped him up and put him into the smaller bubble bowl which I filled with water from his current large bowl. Well - he still got all upset with stress stripes! So this past week I scooped him into the 3/4 gal bowl, waited for a few minutes and then fed him. That at least got his color back. So maybe I will be able to convince him yet that I am NOT trying to kill him. : )

6. You cannot easily add a filter or light if you change your mind later. I think it is pretty easy actually to attach a little heater just below the water level. Don't know that there is any filter which would sit on a curved rim. I guess if you could have a free standing desk lamp next to it, if so desired.

7. You are very limited in terms of ornaments. Nothing very large will fit or it will look ridiculous. If you have a bubble bowl you only have a small ground surface. You are really looking at only having one large tall thing in the middle or maybe a cave and a couple of plants. I guess if you used a more rectangular or oval vase you'd have more bottom surface to work with.

8. Sand bottoms and small gravel are really out of the question - way to much work to rinse off on a weekly basis. I just keep a handful of 1" size stones, which don't even cover the whole bottom surface.

9. Can't have a nice planted set up. At least not with plants which require to be rooted in substrate. Way too messy when you try to do your water changes. Plus don't know that the plants would appreciate being uprooted on a weekly basis.

10. Can't grow plants of any kind if you do not have enough ambient light. I put in Java Moss 3 weeks ago. Doesn't look like much, but has stayed alive. Got a more leafy plant a few days ago - can't really tell if it is surviving or not. I mail ordered it in and it came with some black spots on it. I cut off the worst sections and just put it in. Has been in there for 3-4 days without any ammonia spike, but don't know if it will make it in the long run. Definitely adds time when I do my water change. I also bought bits of moss which I tried tying to my fake tree trunk. Didn't hold very well and if moss does not attach properly to the trunk very fast, I will probably end up loosing it all during water changes.

11. Due to small size medicating, when needed, is annoying as all .... I had to use tetracycline on my friends betta and i could only find it in capsule form. Each capsule was for 10 gal, so there I was snapping them open; trying to push the powder into a flat oval; separating it into 4 "equal" parts with a plastic knife; scraping each of the sections to the edge and into a little ziploc bag - oh boy!

12. Can't really have any kind of tank mates. For once you are limited by size and bio load. Further, while a betta is easily scooped into a container, most suitable tank mates are not that easy to catch and will not respond very well to being confined to a cup on a weekly basis.

13. You have to be very good about remembering to put your cover back on. You don't have a hooded tank and you keep the water right to the top...

I guess my overall conclusion is that I don't see any reason why somebody, who is going to have a fish at home, should choose a bowl over a tank. Unless it is because you want to create a very cool effect in a space where you are receiving guests or if you have a warm office at home, where you would like "a little company" on your desk but not be distracted in your concentration.

Housing a fish in a bowl seems only a good solution in warm locations where you need to take other people into consideration as well. At work, or maybe in a dorm, if the sound of the tank or the fact that you are taking up a bunch of outlets is going to disturb your room mate(s).

I am sure if I had suddenly showed up with a fish tank at work I would have been sent right back home. But this way Azumo sits on a bookshelf right to the left when you walk in. Unless you walk all the way into the office and then turn around, you never even see him. And even though he comes dashing to the front every time you open the door, you don't hear anything... I stay an extra 1/2 hour after work once a week and take over the cleaning closet when noone is around. There is really nothing anyone can say to object to me keeping him.


Oh geez... I've written a whole dissertation on the subject! Hopefully I did not put anybody to sleep.... : )

 

[Forestpisces]

Seriousely i think that should be pinned!

Excellent points all of them and some great advise

I'l be sticking to my tanks i think

 

[Galanta]

Good choice! ; )

 

[t1tanrush]

a) What size container does your fish live in?
b) How often do you do a water change?
c) How much of the water do you change?
and especially d) how long as your fish been living like this and have you ever had any health issues with him/her?

Does anybody know of a betta fish that lived 2 years or more in a bowl - and if yes, what his water change routine was?

a)I no longer keep them but my gf does. When I kept mine I used 1 gallon aquarium kits (stripped of the garbage), or large food jars, gfs has a 1 gallon vase (not with plants, just a vase instead of bowl).
b)Once a week.
c) All of it, not hard to put it in it's tub and dump it out and refill.
d) She's had it a week now... Mine lived for about a year in such a situation, before I dropped the hobby and culled them all (hate if you want it was awhile back). I never had health issues.

I see a lot of arguing in this thread about getting upset with people who don't use filters, heaters and sizes.
I've always kept mine in smaller enclosures. They are a small fish, who frankly from my experience don't require a ton of space. Some people like to see there bettas in larger tanks with fancy filters and heaters, some don't. It is honestly personal preference in my book. I have NEVER used a heater for my bettas, and they always did fine. I live in a warm climate but still I would not use them. Bettas are very adaptable, however they don't NEED a big tank, they don't NEED a heater to thrive. I didn't even use substrate when I had like 10-12 of them. Simple and allowed easy viewing of the fish and it looking good.