The water in the fish bowl should be changed at least once a week, if not more often. Regular cleaning performs two important functions; first of all, it eliminates all odors that form inside and secondly it keeps the fish healthy. If you notice the glass in the bowl starting to go opaque, it's time to replace the dirty water with clean water.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Transfer the Fish
Step 1. Find a temporary bath
You need to find a place to hold the fish momentarily while you clean the bowl and fill it with clean water. So get a tub or bucket of adequate size where the fish can temporarily stay.
Make sure the container has not been washed with soap, as chemical residues can be harmful to the pet
Step 2. Let the water "cure"
You have to wait for the one you put in the temporary tank to reach the same temperature and pH as the one in the bowl. Let the water "sit" overnight after filling the tray to neutralize the chlorine and regulate chemical levels.
- If you don't want to wait all night, you should use a chlorine scrubber that can neutralize the chlorine found in water sources in most cities and municipalities.
- Check that the water in the second container has the same temperature as that in the main bowl; also make sure to cover this pan with a lid, to prevent the fish from jumping out.
Step 3. Avoid direct light
Do not place the temporary container in front of a window or under a bright light, as the resulting heat can raise the temperature of the water and harm the fish; Also be sure to place it out of the reach of children and other pets that might bother it.
Step 4. Transfer the fish
Take a net and collect it from the bowl to put it in the second basin of clean water; this second container should be large enough for him to move and swim comfortably.
- During the transfer of the fish, make sure that the two containers are close to each other, in order to reduce as much as possible the time that the animal is out of the water, which creates a lot of stress.
- Alternatively, you can use a small clean bowl for the "move"; just make sure it hasn't been washed with soap or that there is no residue left; Also, make sure you choose a bowl with rounded edges. With this method, it is sufficient to immerse the small container in the fish bowl and let the animal swim in it; be patient and don't chase him, otherwise you might stress him out.
Step 5. Monitor the fish
During the cleaning procedure, keep an eye on the animal while it is in the temporary container; see if it changes behavior, color or activity level. The signs described below may indicate that the water is too hot.
- Hyperactivity;
- Color changes;
- The fish gasps at the surface of the water (although some types, such as the Anabantoids, breathe this way).
- If the water is too cold, you may notice the following signs:
- Inactivity;
- The fish remains at the bottom of the container;
- Color changes.
Part 2 of 3: Clean Up the Contents of the Bowl
Step 1. Eliminate the dirty water
Empty the bowl and use a net, sieve, or filter to hold objects inside and prevent them from falling out when you throw the water. You can also pour the dirty water into the garden or into the pot of some plant.
Step 2. Clean the elements of the ball
Scrub the gravel and other decorations with warm water and a little salt. For best results, place them in a mesh sieve and run hot tap water; when finished, keep them aside and wait for them to cool.
Step 3. Clean the ball
Rub it with hot water and salt; do not use soaps and detergents that can leave chemical residues; afterwards, rinse it thoroughly with warm water.
If there are any obvious traces of limescale on the glass, clean it with vinegar and then rinse with warm water
Step 4. Let the ball "rest"
After washing and rinsing it, wait 20 to 30 minutes to give the glass time to cool after being exposed to the hot water used for cleaning. Give the glass time to return to room temperature so the fish can enter it without being traumatized.
Part 3 of 3: Refilling the Bowl
Step 1. Put all the items back inside
Arrange the gravel and other decorations on the bottom of the clean tub before pouring in the water. Make sure that each item is set up as before, so that the fish does not get agitated by being in a different environment.
Step 2. Fill the container with clean, "cured" water
Check that it is at room temperature and that it has been treated or left to rest overnight. If you've decided to use a chlorine scrubber, be careful not to accidentally spill it on other surfaces, as it could leave a chemical odor on your carpet or furniture.
- As already mentioned, if you don't want to wait all night for the chlorine to neutralize, you can use a dechlorinating product; if so, just make sure the water reaches ideal temperature before putting the fish back into the bowl.
- Cover or leave the container out of the reach of pets or children to prevent the water from contaminating while you wait for "seasons".
Step 3. Retrieve the fish
Collect it from the temporary tray using a net or bowl. Try to transfer him as quickly as possible to avoid stressing him; Also be careful not to drop it, otherwise it could seriously hurt yourself.
Step 4. Return him to his usual home
Return it to the original bowl after filling it with clean water; Gently lower the net or cup into the water, don't just throw the animal in the bowl!
Step 5. Watch it
It is quite likely that he will feel stressed and develop diseases related to changes in temperature and environment both during cleaning and in the following period. For this reason, monitor it after putting it back in the bowl and make sure it is adapting well to the new environment.
Advice
- Treating the water in the bowl helps keep the environment clean and reduces the frequency of water changes. Discuss the best treatment with an expert or a pet shop clerk.
- Don't buy too many fish or catch one that is too big to put in the bowl.
- If you prefer not to treat the water, use bottled spring water to replace dirty water.
- It would be better not to get to the point of having to replace the water 100%. Clean the bowl regularly and proceed with partial water changes to avoid eliminating the "good" bacteria, stressing the fish by picking it up with the net and causing a thermal shock.
- Ideally, you should never keep any fish in a bowl; it is too small a container to be able to install the filter and heater. Bettas and red fish need an aquarium and filters, especially red ones, because they grow a lot!
Warnings
- Make sure the water in the bowl and the temporary container are chlorine-free and at room temperature before transferring the fish.
- If you have used a chlorine blast, follow the instructions on the package carefully to protect the fish.
