New heater for betta bowl...

Question
QUESTION: Hi Jaymie,

I have a betta fish, and with December upon us, I bought him a heater for his bowl (he previously did not have one). The heater is a small, under-gravel 7.5 watt heater that says it is safe for 1 to 3 gallon bowls or tanks. It sounds like it's appropriate to use for my betta's bowl, but I haven't put it in yet because I'm unsure of how to avoid temperature fluctuations when first using it and when cleaning his bowl. For cleaning, I used to fill a separate container with his bowl water and transfer him there, then pour the rest of the bowl water in a bottle, clean the glass and gravel, remove, clean, and replace the (fake) plant, then refill the bowl with ~60% old water and ~40% new water (tap water that I had used conditioner on and had let sit near his bowl for 24hrs). Now, however, I'm unsure of whether taking my betta out of a heated bowl and putting him into room-temp water while I clean the bowl will harm him. Also, how would I go about putting him back in the bowl? Do I turn on the heater again before I put him back in, or after? That brings me to my other concern - when putting in the heater for the first time (or the first time after a water change/cleaning), do I turn it on while he's in there? I have a thermometer to make sure the temperature doesn't exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit by too much, but I don't know how quickly the heater will change the water temp and I have read that quick temp changes are very bad for bettas. Another concern I have is that I currently have a fake plant in his bowl, will it be safe to keep it in there with the heater? I don't want to harm my betta, but I also don't want to let him freeze - what should I do? Thanks in advance for any advice!

ANSWER: Thea,

    The bowls that are sold for Betta's, are not suitable homes for them. They do much better and need to be in something larger. 2.5 gallons is the smallest tank a Betta has to be in. As for the heater. I do not use those kinds because they are not dependable. The only heaters I use are the ones that I control. They have a dial on them which makes it easier to make the water warmer or cooler. Also under gravel heaters and filters are more trouble then they are worth. I would say get your Betta a larger tank and get him out of the bowl. Then get a heater that sticks to the inside of the tank. As for the water changes. Always leave your fish in the tank that the water is being changed from. It is always safer to keep them in their homes. When changing the water always have the new water going into the tank the same temp as the water it is going into. Once you have done it a few times you should be able to do it by touch. That is how I change all my tanks and it has worked very well for me. I hope this has helped.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much for your response, Jaymie. I will look into getting him a larger home :) Would you mind explaining how to clean the tank/bowl with the betta in it? I have never done this and do not want to hurt him. Also, how can I safely clean the gravel and plant with him inside? (not at all trying to sound critical, I trust your advice,just want to make sure I do it right.) Thanks so much!

Answer
Thea,

  Since he is in a bowl it is a bit harder to do. It is always best to move the fish as little as possible, and not to change his water chemistry too much. They have gravel vacuums of different shapes and sizes and they work the best. When doing a water change you don't want to remove all the water all the time. The normal amount is 25% of the old water comes out and then gets replaced. This is another reason having him in a larger home works better for him. He will be a bit nosy while you are cleaning but as far as hurting him this is the best way to do it without hurting him. The vacuum is a siphon that will pick up the gravel but will also drop it when you lift it out. My Betta males are in 20 gallon separated tanks and using the vacuum is so much faster. Hope this helps and if you have any more question feel free to ask.