Betta in a big bowl

[Neuve]

Hya All, its been a while since my last post and im back here asking for help because my girlfriend wants a betta in a bowl for her so I'm wondering about the basic equipment it should have:
Should it have some kind of filtration?
-I was thinking about at least a 2 gal. bowl wiht a gravel bed and a fake plant in it for the betta to have some place to hide and rest and also I was thinking of giving her some of my tank's water to help it cycle, as well as a piece of driftwood I also have in my tank.

Should I pop in an airstone or somethng? Or will the weekly water changes help mantain the ites down?

I also know I have to use a thermostate and a thermometer to keep temperature steady, so Im looking into the best way to keep cables and hoses to a minimum but also to make the betta's environment friendly for him.

All help is appreciated (TIA)
Patricio

 

[Fishyfanatic]

The water from your tank will do nothing to help cycle it. I would get a 5 gal tank (Wal-Mart sells the entire kit pretty cheap, I bought mine for $25) and put the filter pad in your filter for a week or so. Then transfer the pad to her filter and add fresh dechlorinated water.

I wouldn't use an airstone because Betta's don't really like current. Keep up with the weekly water changes. Another idea is to plant it. You could put in 2 Anubias and that would help.

A heater is a good idea. For a 2 gal bowl you'd be looking at a 10 Watt heater. That's why if you use a 5 gal tank, you could easily find a 25 Watt heater.

IMO, I wouldn't put a Betta in anything less than a 5 gal tank. It gives them plenty of swimming space and keeps them happy. Real plants like the Anubias are easy to maintain. And you don't need any special lighting or substrate.

 

[Neuve]

Thanks

 

[Neuve]

So what kind of filter do you recommend?
An UGF? I was told not to use UGFs because eventually you get some ugly buildup at the bottom of it. Anyways I could use it since I'm aquainted with 'em and here in Mexico it's very easy to find little UGFs
Thanx again
Pato

 

[Rach101]

I also recommend the five gallon kit they sell at wal-mart. I believe it comes with a nice filter already, aswell as a light.

 

[Fishyfanatic]

You are correct Rach. The 5 gal tanks at Wal-Mart come with lights and a filter. All you need is the decor and heater.

 

[malkore]

And frankly I'd buy a good 25w heater for a 5gal. they can be hard to find locally but drsfostersmith.com carries the visitherm 25w heaters at least.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=12060&N=2004+113767

Whatever you do, get a good brand and the right wattage. tossing a 100watt in there that's cheap will likely cook the fish eventually. not good.

 

[Neuve]

Here in mexico its very easy to find low-wattage thermometers (at the pet market that's really a fish market only). On LFS too but theyre twice the price there.
So, are you talking about this tank?
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/prod...01&type=1&dept=5440&path=0:5440:202074:202101
Thats that
Pato

 

[Fishyfanatic]

No, but that one can be used also. The one I was referring to is a 5 gal hex tank.

 

[Neuve]

OK, I'll let you know and prob. post a pic of the final setup
Thank you all

 

[Neuve]

BTW malklore: nice setups!