SeanTrollope
Fish Addict
what filters are used for fishbowls
Out Of General Curiosity
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Bowls rarely have filters... sometimes people get a sponge filter which is literally a sponge with an air pump attached to it but thats pretty uncommon - usually today if people have a fish bowl they have not done any research as you quickly realise just how bad bowls are...
Wills
Wills
OP
OP
SeanTrollope
Fish Addict
do you think it would be possible to put a ugf in one
I've seen a few options. A small "bubble up" box filter, tho this takes up too much space in my opinion. The best I've seen is an under gravel filter with a central rising column. That said, bowls are so restrictive, limited space, small volume. Consider a small tank with corners in which you can place one of the many small internal power filters available.
The nearest to a good filter for any bowl would probably be the Bi Orb.
But even then, these Bi Orbs are not without their shortcomings and they're better than simple small bowls itself.
So I feel I have to ask why you are even considering bowls when there are some decent 5 gal tanks or even a 2.5gal which is do able for a single betta or a few shrimps and small low tech plants.
Even a 5 gal plastic container would be better than a bowl, you can at least get a small heater and filter attached properly....
But even then, these Bi Orbs are not without their shortcomings and they're better than simple small bowls itself.
So I feel I have to ask why you are even considering bowls when there are some decent 5 gal tanks or even a 2.5gal which is do able for a single betta or a few shrimps and small low tech plants.
Even a 5 gal plastic container would be better than a bowl, you can at least get a small heater and filter attached properly....
TallTree01
Coo, Man
Boo bowls!
I used to have biorbs as Charlie mentioned, I had to tack on an extra mile of filtration in internals to get it to do what I wanted.
I used to have biorbs as Charlie mentioned, I had to tack on an extra mile of filtration in internals to get it to do what I wanted.
OP
OP
SeanTrollope
Fish Addict
it was out of curiosity. i would not even concider getting one
SeanTrollope said:
Phew!
There's an invention idea. A filter specifically designed for fish bowls. Maybe with a small heating element. You would make it small or shaped in a way to take up as little space as possible. Make it long and flexible so it could curve along the side of the bowl. I wonder if anyone would actually buy it though?
TallTree01
Coo, Man
People with bowls generally don't care about the health of fish. Thus they'd be unlikely to buy products to make their fish happier and healthier.
We've gotten off topic from the OP's question but I think it's been discussed enough that it's okay in this case. If not I appologize for keeping it off topic here...
The idea of fish in a bowl is so ingrained in society at large that it's hard to overcome the practice. We even say things like "I feel like I'm in a fish bowl" to describe certain situations. It's in our lexicon and so people feel it's perfectly normal and acceptable.
When I started keeping fish as a kid (40 years ago now) I had no idea you weren't supposed to keep fish in a bowl and my parents had no idea at all about fish period other than what fly to use and how to fry them. There was no Internet and books on fishkeeping were scarce at the library.
I was at a chain store getting something for the dog the other day (new bowls) and I always go over to the fish (habit) and there was this woman and her son trying to get information. The employee just wasn't providing it and I felt bad for them so I sort of took over the conversation and helped them out. They had purchased a 3 gallon tank (the day before) with a small filter and wanted to put some guppy in it. It took about 20 minutes to explain it all to her but fortunately they left with no fish and headed home to cycle the tank and were eyeing the betta on their way out showing their sun what fish they would buy once the tank was ready.
It's an uphill battle but one victory at a time we can win it if we're polite but bold. Start with the assumption that they DO care and work from there. I've done this several times at stores and have found 100% of the time it's appreciated and when it comes to the little kids the parents get to blame me for them not leaving with a fish which takes the burden off of them.
I have to disagree with this one. I don't think it's not caring about the health of the fish so much as ignorance.TallTree01 said:
The idea of fish in a bowl is so ingrained in society at large that it's hard to overcome the practice. We even say things like "I feel like I'm in a fish bowl" to describe certain situations. It's in our lexicon and so people feel it's perfectly normal and acceptable.
When I started keeping fish as a kid (40 years ago now) I had no idea you weren't supposed to keep fish in a bowl and my parents had no idea at all about fish period other than what fly to use and how to fry them. There was no Internet and books on fishkeeping were scarce at the library.
I was at a chain store getting something for the dog the other day (new bowls) and I always go over to the fish (habit) and there was this woman and her son trying to get information. The employee just wasn't providing it and I felt bad for them so I sort of took over the conversation and helped them out. They had purchased a 3 gallon tank (the day before) with a small filter and wanted to put some guppy in it. It took about 20 minutes to explain it all to her but fortunately they left with no fish and headed home to cycle the tank and were eyeing the betta on their way out showing their sun what fish they would buy once the tank was ready.
It's an uphill battle but one victory at a time we can win it if we're polite but bold. Start with the assumption that they DO care and work from there. I've done this several times at stores and have found 100% of the time it's appreciated and when it comes to the little kids the parents get to blame me for them not leaving with a fish which takes the burden off of them.
I agree with Tcamos. I have been in pet stores and overheard the conversations of "just run the tank for a day and put the fish in" or "sure you can put just 2 neons together." I always feel I'm not qualified enough yet to say something and over step the sales guy. But I mean, how are people supposed to get the right information when the guy running the pet store thinks it's ok to put a goldfish in a bowl.
When I first start to seriously get into this and setup my first tank four years ago, I bought Freshwater Aquariums for Dummies and no where in that book does it mention fish less cycling and it just really hints at how bad fish bowls are. Can we really blame people for doing the wrong thing when even when they research they get the wrong information? Its all about what society thinks is the norm.
When I first start to seriously get into this and setup my first tank four years ago, I bought Freshwater Aquariums for Dummies and no where in that book does it mention fish less cycling and it just really hints at how bad fish bowls are. Can we really blame people for doing the wrong thing when even when they research they get the wrong information? Its all about what society thinks is the norm.
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