Friend got a betta bowl :(

After sharing a photo on FB of my new GBR, a friend shared that she got her daughter a betta yesterday...and has him in a bowl

I immediately offered her my opinion and recommended she get a tank with heater and filter, adding some plants and decorations along with gravel for the bottom. I gave her specific recommendations. I want to advise on water changes as well.

I know the my tap water has ammonia and has a low kh. I assume since we're in the same city our tap water will be the same. I would recommend prime as the conditioner to deal with the ammonia.

Currently, she used room temp bottled water. I assume if she wanted to do this in the long run that would be ok as well?

I don't want to scare the family away from the tank, but I also don't want this betta living in a bowl!

I summed up the nitrogen cycle. I also compared the bowl to placing any one of her kids in the tub and letting them sit in their own waster for an extended period of time. I think she'll go with the tank.

Did I miss anything for her? Thanks in Advance!

 

Doesn't sound like you missed anything. Hope she gets a tank! Fingers crossed.....

 

I would advise against the bottled water. While it doesn't have ammonia, it lacks different minerals and nutrients that tap water has. And water conditioner is cheaper in the long run...

Did you mention getting a cycle starter like TSS? Or doing a fish in cycle?

 

I would advise against the bottled water. While it doesn't have ammonia, it lacks different minerals and nutrients that tap water has. And water conditioner is cheaper in the long run...

Did you mention getting a cycle starter like TSS? Or doing a fish in cycle?

Ah...right. TSS. I'm hoping she'll take advantage of me showing her what she needs and how to get tank going.

 

well folks...I clearly didn't convince her enough as now she got her son a betta in a bowl ???

I really pushed for the tank (now 2 tanks) I just don't think it's gonna happen. What is the best way for her to clean the bowls out?
She did get a bottle of prime at my suggestion and I also stressed the importance to not overfeed. What else can I say???

 

the best way to clean bowls is to scoop out a cup of the water, put the fish in, then take out and wash the gravel/bowl. then get a net (that doesn't take out particulate) and put the fish back in.

edit-don't forget to keep about half the original water (pour through fine net) and put it back in

I never have supported bowls, it's saving a fish from inhumane surroundings- just to put it in an inhumane environment.

 

the best way to clean bowls is to scoop out a cup of the water, put the fish in, then take out and wash the gravel/bowl. then get a net (that doesn't take out particulate) and put the fish back in.

edit-don't forget to keep about half the original water (pour through fine net) and put it back in

I never have supported bowls, it's saving a fish from inhumane surroundings- just to put it in an inhumane environment.

Agree to this bowls are not ok ever

 

I agree - starting out slowly with the information is fine. I know its hard for most newbies to grasp everything at once and can be overwhelming. Its the store's fault for putting out stuff like that. I mean, you would think if the store is selling the bowl, its good or right for them!????

Not much you can do about that but going forward, give her as much educated help as possible.

Its not easy telling a person that just bought a setup like that that they're going to have to invest more $$ for the welfare of their fish.

Good luck and great you are such a caring friend to point that out!

 

the best way to clean bowls is to scoop out a cup of the water, put the fish in, then take out and wash the gravel/bowl. then get a net (that doesn't take out particulate) and put the fish back in.

edit-don't forget to keep about half the original water (pour through fine net) and put it back in

I never have supported bowls, it's saving a fish from inhumane surroundings- just to put it in an inhumane environment.

I most certainly do not support the bowl. I compared keeping a betta in a bowl to putting her kids in a tub and letting their waste accumulate and not cleaning the water....

in terms of cleaning, That is what I thought....how often should I tell her to clean it out? I am also guessing it may be beneficial to tell her to get some jugs or buckets to put tap water in to let it come to room temp before doing *ugh* bowl maintenance.

 

OK, looking at this from the point of view of what can be improved right now, the most important thing is providing some way of doing water changes in whatever environment the fish is in right now, especially if it is small. Unless it's really cold indoors where you are, even a heater can probably wait compared to the importance of keeping ammonia down (a more experienced fishkeeper than me should probably weigh in on this though).

I'd say the next-step purchase is a siphon (I got mine on eBay for $1.80), a small bucket or maybe one of those little watering cans, a dechlorinator like Prime, plus a syringe to dose it. Could help if you provide the syringe, just say it was a spare, and calculate the dosage for her tank size as Prime especially gives recommendations based on large aquariums (or, provide the watering can AND the syringe - those little plastic cans are usually only about $2 - and write the dosage per watering-can-full ON the watering can).

Good on you for helping your friend! It's so irritating when pet shops give incorrect advice.