Please settle an argument! How often should I clean the fishbowl?

Question

My mom and I have this big argument where she thinks that a (slightly) dirty fishbowl is unattractive and should be cleaned at least once a week. I think that this is bad for the fish, and that it needs a little bit of bacteria and funkiness to live. Its just one fish, a beta-fish, in a plain bowl. Nothing fancy.

Answer 1

Betta's don't need the tank cleaned too often but you do need to add/change about 15-25% of their water one a week. Fish bowls have no filtration system so they have to be cleaned more often than a fish tank that does have one. Make sure you use un-chlorinated water.

If you over feed your fish you will have to clean their tank much more often. Rule of thumb if the food isn't gone in 2 mins or less you have over fed.

Answer 2

If your betta bowl is getting dirty in a week, you are doing something wrong, maybe too much food. A betta only needs about 3 flakes or less a day. If it is just food at the bottom on the rocks, no you should not clean it. However, knowing how my mother was, I suggest if you have to clean it, each time you do, put the betta in a small cup with some of the original water. Then clean it all and put the fish back in with the water you saved. It keeps the bacteria and condition of the water in that amount. I do not agree with your mother though, no betta bowl needs to be cleaned once a week. I did mine every 3 or 4 weeks, maybe. It doesn't need it more than that and ends up costing more when you overdo it. Good luck!!

Answer 3

Once a week sounds excessive. I have two tanks- 29 gallon and 44 gallon. I only clean them when they get really bad- not more than once a month. Of course, they have filters.

But you're right, they need some bacteria. I don't think a full water change and bowl clean is that good for the fish. Why not talk to the person at Petsmart, see what they say?

Answer 4

You don't have to "clean" the bowl that often unless you have it in the light and it growsw algae. the best thing to do is to save hlaf of the water (if you MUST clean the bowl to satisfy your mother--do it but tell her that there is more danger in changing and cleaning weekly than leaving things alone. Your betta is fine-I just added water to my bowl by taking half out and adding half new--you dont really cause problems that way and you still have the bacteria needed to keep it healthy. You can also put the betta in a big goblet vase, add a peaced lilly and the betta will live and thrive beautifully---only feed a couple of flakes or pellets a day cause overfeeding will cause problems with the PH

Answer 5

Actually you're right. the pH of the water shouldnt be messed with and there is such a thing as cleaning the tank too much. This isnt the most favorable source, try resarching on the internet, asking the workers at a pet store, and ask a vet. Your best bet is probably clean it once every two to five weeks. But with the concerns of your mother, try dumping out half the water every week or two and adding fresh water and then clean it at regular intervals. whatever you decide on. it's your fish.

Answer 6

Ask the fish. If he is not happy then clean it. All kidding aside. Cleaning a fish bowl too often can kill the fish. It can change the PH. Never dump all the water out . Do half and add the clean water.

Answer 7

Try changing half the water twice a week. That way you arn't screwing his water chemistry up too much, but not letting the water get nasty. I would recomend going one step up and getting a little aquarium with a filter, even a 1 gallon is better. You can get a cheap one for like 15 bucks. Then you would only have to change 10% of the water once a week. Its much better for the fish and much easier on you. Trust me.

Answer 8

You should clean your fish bowl atleast weekly. Event though it may not look dirty, bacteria, that you can't see, builds up in the tank. Fish are very prone to disease and a dirty tank only increases the risk.

Answer 9

I clean my Beta bowls every two weeks. If you don't overfeed the water stays much better.

I have spare bowls and I age water a day in them then dump the fish in and clean the dirty bowl for use in two weeks.

Answer 10

WELL I HAVE ONLY ONE BETA FISH IN THE BOWL AND I CLEAN MINE AT LEAST ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS BECAUSE THE WATER CAN BE PRETTY DISGUSTIN TO LIVE IN. I MEAN I WOULDN'T WANT TO LIVE IN ANYTHING DIRTY SO WHY DOES THE FISH HAVE TO. I THINK ONCE A WEEK FOR ONE FUSH IS TOO OFTEN