Regular Member Scarlett Posted June 20, 2014 Regular Member Share Posted June 20, 2014 A friend of mine bought a Betta and houses him in a 3 litre bowl. The fish shop told her to only do 25% water changes weekly. Very soon after, I get a call. The betta is bottom sitting, has frayed fins and the water is cloudy. I told her to perform a 100% water change. I advised to perform 100% water changes ever 2nd day, as it is a bowl and beneficial bacteria do not live in the water column, but on the surfaces of the substrate and the glass. Also, since it is just a bowl, it's not cycled, so it wouldn't make a difference anyway. The fish is now very healthy and active. Fast forward a couple months. I talk my friend into getting a 17 litre Nano tank with a light, filter and heater, as it is winter and the poor little fellow was getting cold. My friend went to the local fish shop and explained what she wanted. She told them that she performs 100% water changes and they said she was wrong to do so. That she was throwing away the beneficial bacteria and putting the fish's health at risk and that all the advice is given her was wrong. What does everyone think? Are 100% water changes wrong for a betta in a small bowl? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Scarlett Posted June 20, 2014 Author Regular Member Share Posted June 20, 2014 Also... We said we were going to do a fish in cycle, to cycle the tank and perform regular water changes to keep the ammonia etc in check. The looked at me as if I was insane!!! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Herts Posted June 20, 2014 Regular Member Share Posted June 20, 2014 I think as she was keeping it in a bowl, it was better than any other alternative. I don't think your advice was wrong but I also think its great she's getting a proper set up 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Narny105 Posted June 20, 2014 Regular Member Share Posted June 20, 2014 I don't think 100% water changes are wrong at all provided the necessary parameters are matched and the stress of the fish is taken into account. For an uncycled 3L bowl, I think it'd be a good idea a couple times a week to do a full water change. Even with partial changes ammonia would still gradually build up, so anything to stop that is beneficial. If she didn't wipe down the glass then bacteria would colonise there, but 100% water changes don't remove the bacteria from the water. If she doesn't clean the side of the glass, add that into the new tank to help cycle it 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member GoldenSpoiledRotten Posted June 20, 2014 Regular Member Share Posted June 20, 2014 I.E. Don't listen to your pet store. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member tithra Posted June 20, 2014 Regular Member Share Posted June 20, 2014 beneficial bacteria need a surface to colonize, there is a minimal amount floating around in the water. 100% water changes are fine. any significant amount of BBs in a bowl will be on the surface layer of the substrate and walls of the bowl. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member jmetzger72 Posted June 20, 2014 Regular Member Share Posted June 20, 2014 I think it is also important to note that the fish got better after she followed your advice (not the pet store's) 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member fantailfan1 Posted June 20, 2014 Regular Member Share Posted June 20, 2014 Do you know her tap and tank pH? 100% WC would only be harmful if there was a large difference in the two. Eventually you get used to pet store employees looking at you like you're crazy. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member GoldenSpoiledRotten Posted June 20, 2014 Regular Member Share Posted June 20, 2014 Do you know her tap and tank pH? 100% WC would only be harmful if there was a large difference in the two. Eventually you get used to pet store employees looking at you like you're crazy. Mmmmmmmhm. True that. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Mikey Posted June 20, 2014 Regular Member Share Posted June 20, 2014 Do you know her tap and tank pH? 100% WC would only be harmful if there was a large difference in the two. Eventually you get used to pet store employees looking at you like you're crazy. Mmmmmmmhm. True that.Don't forget your pet store co workers!! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Scarlett Posted June 20, 2014 Author Regular Member Share Posted June 20, 2014 Do you know her tap and tank pH? 100% WC would only be harmful if there was a large difference in the two. Eventually you get used to pet store employees looking at you like you're crazy. They are the same. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member BronwynH Posted June 21, 2014 Regular Member Share Posted June 21, 2014 IMO 100% WCs are the only way to go for bettas in bowls. I am actually currently trying to convince a friend that 2g is not sufficient for a betta AND a shrimp. For further info I find that this website has good betta advice/info: http://bettacare101.com/housing/ 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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