Planted Filterless Betta Bowl -- Minimal Water Changes

So I posted in the Betta forum asking about this, but I'm following up here for any further advice.

I could explain all the reasons how I got here, and I've heard lots of reasons why even Bettas need more space, but this is where I am for now.

1-gallon bowl
External heating pad on thermostat keeps water at 78 F
No filter
1 Java Fern
8 Marimo Moss Balls
Naturally lit by nearby window (no direct sunlight)

In the last three weeks, I've done 2-3 small water changes (~20%).

To my surprise, water parameters have been stable

0-0.25 ammonia
0 nitrites
0 nitrates
~7.4 pH

The fish was quite stressed when I got him, would freak out and streak around the bowl when I walked up, and wouldn't eat. His bowl smelled nasty. Now he's always swimming around calmly, interactive, and has a voracious appetite. Water has a faint earthy smell.

It seems like my plants are taking care of waste and water quality is holding up well. Should I be expecting major problems to crop up or does this sound like a feasibly sustainable system? What should I watch for?

Thanks!

 

I would upgrade the bowl (to a 3 gal bowl?). Also watch for pH crash after a while the water will deteriorate from lack of something. Can't place it in my mind right now.

Also PICS please!!! Would love to see.

 

A friend of mine does all her bettas in small filterless tanks like that. She breeds as well, and swears by the system. She doesn't even do water changes, only top offs with natural evaporation. But, she also has them more planted than that I believe. I think she also keep something called seed shrimp? She sent me a link to a guy on youtube who does it with guppies I believe. Might be of interest.

This links to a playlist called "self sustaining aquariums DIY"

 

I have one betta that I keep with no filter, he's a DTHM rescue and has awful trouble with any kind of filter no matter how low the flow due to his extreme finnage. He's in a 3.5 gallon tank with heater and light and I do 50% w\c every other day with prime and I swear, he's the most enthusiastic bubble nest builder out of all my bettas (7 boys and 5 girls) . I think an upgrade to a 3 or 3.5 gallon would be beneficial in your case as you can add even more plants and a deeper gravel bed, also a nice piece of driftwood like mopanI that leaches tannins. The only problems I often see with these tanks is mineral depletion as the plants use it all up. But that really depends on your initial gh and kh. It certainly is doable though!

 

Thanks for the input! Here's a picture! I've used some treated tap and recently just bottled water for water changes. My GH reads 180+ ppm or 10+ dH and KH reads 80-120 ppm or 4.4-6.7 dH. I'll definitely keep an eye on those numbers and maybe compare the treated tap with bottled water or other sources to pick the best water change source. My tap uses chloramines though so it actually reads about 0.5ppm ammonia right off the bat which is kinda lame.

 

I'm rereading the thread now and seeing your tank, you will either need at least a LOT more plants or a filter.

 

I highly suggest upgrading the tank. No fish should ever be kept in a 1 gallon bowl. Bettas are very active fish and need at the very least 2 and a half gallons. Anything less is cruel.

Also rounded tanks aren't a great idea either. The rounded glass distorts the view for the fish as much as it does for the people looking in. It makes it difficult for them tI tell where the glass is too.

 

I agree with finalfins and Salem here. A lot more plants for sure, which would require more space. 3.5 gallon at least imo. That's how I keep my special needs boy. But even so, it's not self sustaining, I just do 50% w\c every other day with seachem prime and make sure to clean up his poop. Is it possible for you to get a 3-5 gallon rectangular tank to try this in?

 

Also rounded tanks aren't a great idea either. The rounded glass distorts the view for the fish as much as it does for the people looking in. It makes it difficult for them tI tell where the glass is too.

I just came across this too, said rounded tanks can be highly stressful and disorientating for the fish, even been banned in some places apparently.

 

HI there ! I don't wish to spread any negativity or judgement as I know we are all at different experience levels regarding fish keeping and we all need some advice sometimes. I understand that it mightn't be possible for you at the moment, but like everyone else posting on this thread, I would recommend upgrading his tank when it is possible for you. I would highly recommend a 5 gallon tank (2.5 gallons is pushing it in my opinion but if you need to because of cost/space it should be alright) a heater, a filter and some more live plants if you can. I have also had a lot of luck with Indian almond leaves and have noticed a high improvement in my betta's activity levels and overall happiness when using them. I bought mine off ebay and for a bowl that small you would only need to use around a quarter of the leaf. This might just aid in keeping him comfortable until you can get him a bigger tank. Do keep in mind that it will turn your water a slight yellow/brown colour due to the tannins though. I would also highly recommend using Seachem Prime for your water changes. It neutralises ammonia/nitrite in the water as well as removing any chlorine and heavy metals. This would help get rid of any of that nasty ammonia for a healthier and happier fish, once again until you have a chance to upgrade his tank. I hope this helped !

 

Please give him a tank . This makes me sad . He is a fish , not cereal

 

Yes, as I mentioned, I'm aware of the prevailing opinion that 1-gallon isn't enough space. I'm not dismissing that, but I was hoping for more than just statement of the prevailing opinion. If this will damage the fish's mental health, what signs of that should I look for? If this isn't enough plants, what water quality issues should I expect to see?

 

Mentally the fish should be exploring about half the time. Much less shows boredom. Water wise you would see an ammonia build up.

 

Why not just go ahead and prevent from anything from happening in the first place and get an actual tank . I don't see the point and wasting more time cleaning his water , ruining the BB if there even is any to begin with! You'd have to buy meds and more conditioners , plus that looks like gravel not substrate so I don't see that fern lasting long. Just spare yourself and the poor fish the hassle and get a filter and at least a 5gal .

Loss of appetite, clamped fins, lethargy ,stress stripes, and death is what you should be looking out for...

 

Yes, as I mentioned, I'm aware of the prevailing opinion that 1-gallon isn't enough space. I'm not dismissing that, but I was hoping for more than just statement of the prevailing opinion. If this will damage the fish's mental health, what signs of that should I look for? If this isn't enough plants, what water quality issues should I expect to see?

Your first priority should be getting rid of that ammonia and keeping it at a stable 0. The slightest bit of ammonia can be detrimental to a betta's health. Even in low concentrations, it can burn their gills and cause severe stress which makes them more susceptible to diseases such as fin rot. In that small bowl, I would be very consistent with water changes, doing small ones every second day or even every day if the ammonia persists. Keep in mind that in smaller bodies of water, ammonia is more present so it will affect your fish more in a 1 gallon bowl as opposed to a 5 gallon, if that makes sense? This is why your water changes are very important if you plan to keep him in his current tank. As I stated before, using prime water conditioner would help greatly in eliminating the ammonia. Try not to feel bad about your current state either, we've all been there and we all need to learn. Simply take this as a learning experience

 

As mentioned above, he's very active and swims around almost constantly. He's very responsive and has a very strong appetite. He's even built a bubble nest once.

Ammonia reads zero day after day regardless of water changes. As mentioned, I've only done a few small changes in the past three weeks.

Java Ferns are not supposed to have any part of them buried.

 

As mentioned above, he's very active and swims around almost constantly. He's very responsive and has a very strong appetite. He's even built a bubble nest once.

Ammonia reads zero day after day regardless of water changes. As mentioned, I've only done a few small changes in the past three weeks.

Java Ferns are not supposed to have any part of them buried.

As you don't have any filter media and the tank is quite small, I slightly doubt there would be enough beneficial bacteria in the tank to sustain itself, that is why I suggested frequent water changes. Also, In your first post you mentioned the ammonia being at 0.25 at one point, so it was just a gentle reminder to keep an eye on that. I mentioned this before as well, but i'd definitely look into trying Indian almond leaves if you don't mind the tannins. Maybe you could also float some java moss as it is very hardy, requires little light and might add some more interest to the tank for your betta. It's great that he is active and eating. Just keep your eye on him for any signs of stress and keep up with your cleaning/water change routine. You might find after a couple weeks that he loses interest in the tank and becomes bored. That is why people are recommending a bigger tank as it will provide stimulation for the fish and keep him much healthier/happier. I'm not sure if you intent to upgrade and as i've said I understand if not due to cost/ space. Just keep doing the best you can

 

Strong appetite, bubble nests, and even being activive is not the best indictator in terms of happiness. Fish do not show discomfort the way do and honestly don't show it at all unless it's extreme. They cannot tell us they don't like it and they will not show us.

The opinion of the 1 gallon being too small is based on the experiences and observations of fish keepers.

As a child I kept a betta in a .5 gallon bowl with no filter or heater and only one water change a month. He lived 2 years, was active, ate, and made nests. In 2018 I got a betta, started him out in a 5 gallon and eventually upgraded to a 10 then to his current 20 long. His behaviour has been largely the same in every tank but there definitely have been improvments.

Most notably he went from always exploring to exploring about 2/3 of the day and actually resting the remainder. He uses every inch of his tank. He is less aggressive and now completely ignores the snails. Since putting him into his 20 long several months ago he has stopped tail biting completely. He has also not gotten sick when previously he was sick very often.

Now when ever I put him into his 1 gallon hospital tank he immediately shows signs of stress. He will flare, he will flash, he will try to jump out, and he will never stop moving.

If a betta is bred, born, and raised in a cup then a 1 gallon will be an ocean to them. Keeping them in an appropriately sized tank will allow them to move and explore in a way that is closer to the way wild ones do. Your fish may seem fine but does he really know any better?

 

In the time I have had my bettas. Its been what 3 years. I have had 3 die. 2 I killed and 1 just slowed down and died. No idea why. I have had (knock on wood) zero issues with them. No tail biting. No fin rot. Nothing. I'm at the other end as far as tank size but you get the idea. There's also 19 of them.

 

I have a betta that’s 7 years old (bought as tiny baby) in a 1.5g glass tank with rooted pothos vine cuttings and she’s really fine. I tried to upgrade her once but she was seeming really stressed. She likes lots of plant roots to rest on -pothos is betta furniture- an oak leaf to add some tannins to water -and seems content in a small space -I sit next to her all day at work and she interacts with me. I have a small sponge filter to keep a slight water flow -keeps biofilm and bga at bay - the 0/0/0 water parameters encourage bga when no water movement. Eventually Minerals and salts buildup and this can disrupt your bacteria so when the tank starts looking bad with algae - and plants not doing well sign it’s good idea to do a water change. I say it depends on how big your betta is and personality if you need upgrade. I actually think it’s cruel to have a betta in a big open tank with no real plant resting spots. I don’t know how anyone has bettas without pothos or other vegetation tangle survive longer than a year.

 

I have a betta that’s 7 years old (bought as tiny baby) in a 1.5 gallon glass tank with rooted pothos vine cuttings and she’s really fine. I tried to upgrade her once but she was seeming really stressed. She likes lots of plant roots to rest on -pothos is betta furniture- an oak leaf to add some tannins to water -and seems content in a small space -I sit next to her all day at work and she interacts with me. I have a small sponge filter to keep a slight water flow -keeps biofilm and bga at bay - the 0/0/0 water parameters encourage bga when no water movement. Eventually Minerals and salts buildup and this can disrupt your bacteria so when the tank starts looking bad with algae - and plants not doing well sign it’s good idea to do a water change. I say it depends on how big your betta is and personality if you need upgrade. I actually think it’s cruel to have a betta in a big open tank with no real plant resting spots. I don’t know how anyone has bettas without pothos or other vegetation tangle survive longer than a year.

Did you mean a 2.5 like the one referred to in your profile?

I agree with keeping the tank decorated with lots of plants to rest on and things to hide in. Bettas are nervous little fish and need to feel safe.

 

Thanks for the input and suggestions! I'll definitely be continuing to monitor all the water quality metrics as well as his behavior. I've definitely thought about getting some Java Moss and may add that as well at some point. I've somewhat wanted to avoid coloring the water, but I might go ahead and try an Indian almond leaf. Lowering the pH a little would also provide some protection should be ammonia rise unexpectedly.

Just to clarify, I've measured ammonia at around 0.25 a couple times early on when I first added the plants and was testing the water daily to evaluate required water change frequency. The past week or so it has always measured zero. I assume it's mainly the plants and not beneficial bacteria eliminating ammonia since I've never read any nitrites or nitrates?

I have a betta that’s 7 years old (bought as tiny baby) in a 1.5 gallon glass tank with rooted pothos vine cuttings and she’s really fine. I tried to upgrade her once but she was seeming really stressed. She likes lots of plant roots to rest on -pothos is betta furniture- an oak leaf to add some tannins to water -and seems content in a small space -I sit next to her all day at work and she interacts with me. I have a small sponge filter to keep a slight water flow -keeps biofilm and bga at bay - the 0/0/0 water parameters encourage bga when no water movement. Eventually Minerals and salts buildup and this can disrupt your bacteria so when the tank starts looking bad with algae - and plants not doing well sign it’s good idea to do a water change. I say it depends on how big your betta is and personality if you need upgrade. I actually think it’s cruel to have a betta in a big open tank with no real plant resting spots. I don’t know how anyone has bettas without pothos or other vegetation tangle survive longer than a year.

Thanks for that insight! I've definitely thought about getting a pothos plant and may do that at some point, especially if I upgrade to something a little bigger. No algae yet, but I'm sure I'll have that to contend with at some point.

 

Did you mean a 2.5 like the one referred to in your profile?

I agree with keeping the tank decorated with lots of plants to rest on and things to hide in. Bettas are nervous little fish and need to feel safe.

My other bettas are in 2.5-3g tanks because they have more active personalities and are bigger. My elderly work betta is not on my profile.

Bettas in filterless tanks or with sponge filters are actually easy to have a balanced water parameters-in my experience- keep an eye on parameters because in a small tank they can change rapidly if bacteria are disrupted. That is dense marimo that may or may not do well long term and decay could be bad for bacterial balance. So keep eye on that too