The "stress free" water change

The most common way for most fishbowl keepers to change the water in their bowls involves placing the betta or other fish in a separate container, dumping out the entire contents of the bowl, rinsing the gravel, then refilling it. The whole process is very stressful for your fish, and unhealthy when continued on a regular basis. Not to mention that because I keep live plants, the aforementioned method would be impossible. I say, there is a better, and much less disruptive way.

A stress free water change requires the following materials:
- container to hold water (for my 2.5 gallon bowl I use a 1/2 gallon plastic fish bowl)
- a small length of air line tubing
- a plastic cup with many holes pokes in the bottom using a fork or knife
- dechlorinating water conditioner (of course!)

I begin the siphon by placing one end of the air line tubing into the tank, and sucking on the other end. Be sure to keep an eye on the water in the tube, and place it inside the container (for me the 1/2 gallon fish bowl) before it gets to your mouth. You don't want to drink dirty tank water (although it won't kill you, so don't worry if you do accidentally)! Let the water flow into the container until it is full, or you've removed the amount of water you desire to change. To stop the siphon simply pull the end of the tubing which is inside the main bowl out of the water.

Now, empty the dirty water and refill the container at the tap, trying to keep the new water at the same temperature as the tank water. Add dechlorinator. Place the plastic cup (with the holes in the bottom) over the top of the bowl, and slowly pour the new water into the cup. Continue adding water as the cup slowly empties until the tank is full again.

See, that was easy! And your fishy friend will thank you for leaving him alone in his bowl while you changed his water.