This is the home of Falcor, my work companion.

Step 1: It's Been Awhile

This tank has survived for almost 2 years. My elephant ear betta seems to enjoy it as much as can be expected.

Step 2: Aquisitions

I only needed a few things:

--A glass container
-- some gravel substrate
-- a moss ball Marimo
--live plant of small stature

i used Anubias Nana due to it's growth pattern and small nature
--betta of your choice
--water conditioner

Step 3: Putting Everything Together

So I was in Ross browsing for some glassware, and stumbled by a spherical decorative bowl with a flat bottom. It was classic fish bowl status. And I had to have it.

Probably cost my less than $10 for the bowl at Ross.

I went by my local fish store and acquired the rest of my materials and once everything was at my office, I proceeded to:

1. Wash the bowl with mild soap solution.
2. Add the gravel and Give it a good wash and rinse with tap water.
3. Fill with tap water and add your water conditioner.
4. Add plants and let the whole thing settle for a few minutes ( less than 5 will do good. We're just making sure the water conditioner does its job)
5. Insert betta and give him a day to settle in to the new habitat.

Step 4: Maintenance

This being a small tank, there are a few things to be careful of:

Temperature of water
--your fish likes water to be in the high 70's. In my office this didn't require any special heating or cooling. Just had to keep it out of direct sunlight

Water quality
I do a weekly flush. Where I put Falcor and his plants in a separate container and give a good rinse and scrub inside. Rhis is done by adding enough water to cover the gravel, and swirling the tank to get a vortex of gravel water solution to scrub the inner walls for me. This breaks loose any algae on the inner walls and brings the waste to rest on top f the gravel for easy removal with a turkey Baster or just simply pouring out into the sink. Careful to keep your gravel in the tank!

Feeding
Really need to make sure your betta eats everything you feed. Extra food composting into the water will ruin water quality quickly.

I feed Falcor daily 4-8 pellets. Excess is removed by hand or turkey Baster.

Since this is a workplace tank, Falcor fasts for the weekends. 2 years strong and he has managed a 4 day fast at longest. I do not suggest more then 4 days without feeding.

Step 5: Attention

Betta fish are social creatures, and love Attention. Keep him in a place where he sees you arrive, and has activity to get excited by during the day. Falcor here enjoys daily visits from co-workers and my occasional finger being ran across the glass for him to chase.

Step 6: Worrisome Activities

Is your betta very lethargic?? He may be too cold. Either find a warmer spot or give him a heating pad like this.

I have used one of these with great results. just put it on the table under the tank and run it a few hours a day (use a timer if your forgetful like me)

Is there algae growing everywhere?! This is likely too much light. Try finding a less brightly lit space for your companions home.

Does he refuse to eat? This is a complex
Issue to answer, but first before anything do a water change. Likely the water quality has degraded and he is being stressed by his water quality. Secondly is the water cold? Lethargic and cold fish eat much less than their properly climate controlled counterparts.

White spots on the fins of your betta??

This is ick. It shows on the fins of your fish as tiny white spots. Treat it according to the label of the medicinal product purchased from your local fish store. Tell them your fish has ick and they will know what you need. It's common and easily treated.