When I was a little kid, we had a large fish tank. My memories of it only include a plastic diver guy accessory that moved up and down and a baby shark. I don’t think it was an actual shark, I think it just looked like one. Over the years I tried having my own much smaller tank, with not so great results. They were always fun to setup and enjoy until it was time to clean the tank. Then they becomes a chore. I’ve not thought about having a fish for years, until I stumbled up the NoClean Aquarium. These US made glass aquariums are unique because they don’t require filters or electricity. To clean them, you just pour in fresh water and the dirty water flows out of the siphon. You can’t get much easier than that. You can even use the dirty water on your plants. Each tank is $69.99 and is designed to hold 1 Betta fish.
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So can some expert explain to me why this principle couldn’t have been done on one of those big fancy fish tanks that my friend spent thousands on? Is this some type of major breakthrough or is there flaws that the inventors haven’t mentioned.
This is NOT an appropriate way to keep a Betta. Aside from water quality concerns (removing solid waste is completely different from controlling water quality) this is not a properly sized tank. Things like plants, rock, and decorations also need to be periodically cleaned. Beyond that, the makers commenting that Bettas are also known as “Japanese Fighting Fish”? Try Siamese. As a keeper of numerous Bettas over 8 years I would definitely not recommend this as an aquarium.
@Eric I wondered about the size of the tank, but read their FAQ which says it’s ok. It looks bigger than some of the glass fishbowls I’ve seen in the past… I wonder if this size would be ok for a gold fish.
@ Lap…similar ideas like this are used for large tanks…the water is constantly circulated out to a remote filtering system and returned back to the tank.
This enables big tanks to support more fish in them than the space will naturally allow. Using a filtering system with the same water instead of constantly changing the water is just a better practice as one does not have to readjust the temperature, pH, bacterial level, and other environmental factors required for the health of the fish.
So you are saying that constantly adding new fresh water might be detrimental to the fish’s health?
Many water supplies are chlorinated. Water for fish MUST be allowed to stand in a container for at least a day to allow chlorine to dissipate. Adding “fresh” water straight from the tap is a no no, certainly detrimental to your fish’s health.
The vendor might say the size is OK, but that only means it is OK for the vendor and the fish will not die immediately. It is MUCH too small.
It won’t die as long as water parameters are maintained. The problem with smaller tanks like this is that you will have to do water changes more frequently to maintain water quality, which this product claims is easier to do. Just make sure you add a dechlorinator to the water, and not just use water straight from the tap. In terms of swimming area, Bettas don’t swim nearly as much as other fish. My Betta in my 10 gallon swims occasionally around looking for food and air but mostly stays in the plants near the bottom of the tank. They tend to like the protection/comfort of being surrounded by dense plants.
How sad for the fish to be in a small tank on its own…..
Beta fish are supposed to be kept alone! They don’t get along w other fish. I’ve kept a vase on my desk at work for the last 7 years that holds a little over half a gallon of water, a live plant, some colored glass beads & a beta. My Betas stay alive between 2-3 years w no trouble. I keep a gallon jug of water nearby for when I need to clean the vase, the water is the same temperature & chemicals are already evaporated. I don’t ever add other chemicals to the water. I clean the vase when it gets algae on the glass (sometimes 2 weeks, sometimes a month, sometimes 2 months). I put the fish in a glass w water from the dirty vase, then I go to sink & dump all water, run a little clean water into vase & swish then dump. I repeat until all the gunk is out, then wipe out w paper towel, rinse once more, then fill with water from my jug & scoop fish out of glass & put him in the vase. The whole process takes 5 minutes & is super easy as long as you’re not squeemish about touching the fish. I haven’t seen one of these NoClean Aquariums in use, but I don’t see a problem w it. Personally I don’t think it’s worth $70 because it is still going to get green algae so you’re going to have to empty it & wipe it out. My vases cost me about $25 at most (vase= $5, glass beads= $3, aquatic plant= $6-10, beta fish= $5). Plus I tie a pretty ribbon around the neck of the vase as a finishing touch.
I have friends with over 30 years experience in fishkeeping on top of being marine biologists..It is simply cruel to keep any fish in a round bowl or glass or a jar.(Same as round cages for birds.)