Clean a Fish Bowl

A fish bowl can add color and life to any room, but they require diligent weekly maintenance to stay clean and healthy (because of the small size). Improper care is the leading cause of fish distress or death. Follow these steps to keep your fish bowl and its residents thriving.

Steps

Before You Begin Cleaning

  1. Calculate 40% of your fish bowl's total water volume. This is the amount of water you will be replacing each time you clean. Knowing the amount in advance will save you time and guessing.
    • Gently pour the bowl's water and the fish into a clean, soap-free bucket or container. All containers must be soap-free.
    • Use a clean cup to put the water back into your bowl, counting the cups as you go. At the mid-point, transfer the fish back into the bowl, using a net. Write down the total the number of cups.
    • Multiply your total by .40 to calculate 40% of your water's total volume. This is the amount of water you will be replacing at each cleaning.
    • Fill your water treatment container with the results of your 40% calculation and mark the level for future reference. Now you know how much water to treat each week.

Prepare Clean Water the Night Before

  1. Fill your water treatment container with tap water. Use the mark you made on the side of the container.
  2. Add the recommended number of drops from your water treatment kit. The treatment will eliminate chlorine, chloramines and other substances that are toxic to fish. Read the label carefully to avoid over or under dosages. Alternately, you can use room temperature bottled spring water instead of treated tap water. Do not use distilled, de-ionized or reverse-osmosis water.
  3. Cover the container to prevent airborne contaminants from making their way into the water.
  4. Let the container sit overnight. This allows the water to "age" and achieve room temperature.

Clean the Fish Bowl

  1. Remove your fish from the bowl
    • Net your fish and place it in your treated water container, which now holds your clean, "aged" water from the night before.
    • Cover the container with a lid to prevent the fish from jumping out. Even normally docile fish can jump when stressed.
  2. Pour the bowl's water through the strainer and into your bowl water container, catching the gravel and any decorations in the strainer. Set the strainer aside.
  3. Scrub the empty bowl using paper towel until it's squeaky clean. To remove stubborn stains, use a new toothbrush or algae scraper (available at pet stores.)
  4. Rinse the bowl thoroughly under tap water.

Clean the Gravel and Decorations

  1. Keeping the gravel in the strainer, rinse well under warm tap water.
  2. Swirl the gravel around to remove film and separate waste and uneaten fish food.
  3. Wash any decorations from the bowl in the same manner. You can use the toothbrush you used on the bowl, if needed. As always, do not use soap.

Refill the Bowl After Cleaning

  1. Pour 60% of the old water back into the fish bowl. Discard the remaining water into the yard or a plant bed. It's good for the soil!
  2. Return the gravel and decorations to the bowl.
  3. Net your fish from the treated water container and return him/her to the bowl.
  4. Pour all the treated water into the bowl. Since you previously measured 40% of your fish bowl's total volume, this will bring your water level back to 100%.

Set A Schedule

  1. Generally, fish bowls should be be cleaned once a week, depending on the number of fish and bowl conditions.
  2. If you observe cloudy water or algae build-up before the next cleaning, you may have to switch to a twice-weekly schedule, or upgrade to a larger tank, which requires less recent cleanings due to slower ammonia and dirt buildup.

Tips

  • Label all your cleaning containers and equipment "Fish Only" to avoid any of them being accidentally washed with soap.
  • Lower the water level to the widest part of the bowl. The greater the water's surface area, the more carbon dioxide is released, and the more oxygen is absorbed. The result is a healthier habitat with easier cleaning.
  • Have your tap water tested by your local pet store. A local professional may have water treatment tips specific to your area.
  • When trying to completely purge your fish tank of algae, it is best to remove all but five or so inches of water from your tank before removing the fish. This will reduce the hassle of netting and may reduce stress in the fish.

Warnings

  • Don't drop the fish while putting it into the other bucket or container.
  • Fish bowls are very bad for fish as they don't usually have a filter and cannot meet the needs of the fish. Please choose wisely when deciding to get a fish bowl, as it will always have negative effects on the fish inside. Aquatic plants can be kept in a fish bowl.
  • Don't keep your fish bowl near direct sunlight. Sunlight accelerates algae growth and will force you to clean the bowl more frequently. Plus, the direct sunlight constantly affects the temperatures of the water, and fluctuating water temperatures can mean the end for a fish adapted to a specific amount of heat, like tropicals.
  • Avoid large fish bowls. The larger the bowl, the more it weighs when filled with water. This makes them harder to carry and empty.
  • Goldfish are not well-suited for fish bowls. They have big appetites and produce a lot of waste. Goldfish do much better in aquariums with filtration systems
  • Bettas are not good for bowls either and need heaters and a special filter.

Things You'll Need

  • Small net
  • Water treatment container
  • Bowl water container
  • Water treatment kit
  • Paper towel
  • Strainer
  • Bottled water (optional)
  • Algae Scraper (optional)

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