In the old days, (gold)fish were kept in a fishbowl. Chances are you have one in your attic too. Is it possible to keep a fish in a glass fishbowl? Which ones are safe and which aren't? In this article, we'll explain everything about fishbowls.
A fish bowl is not animal-friendly. The round glass distorts light, which causes stress in (gold)fish. Fish bowls are also far too small to house an animal. Furthermore, a filter or heater cannot be installed in a bowl. This causes numerous problems that stress the fish and ultimately kill them.
Why the fish bowl is really no longer possible!
It used to be thought that a fish bowl was a normal way to keep a goldfish, but these days we know better. A fish bowl, for example, holds only a few liters of water, and there are several other reasons why a fish bowl is simply not suitable these days:
- Few liters of water making it too small for a fish.
- No filtration.
- No heating.
- Barely any room for gravel and plants.
- A glass bowl distorts the light, which stresses the fish.
- Because a fish bowl is small it fluctuates in: temperature, water values and dirt.
- It causes the fish a lot of stress, resulting in deformities and even death.
Goldfish used to be kept in a fish bowl, but these days we know that a goldfish needs at least 100 liters to swim properly. Goldfish are also huge polluters, so a small fish bowl is simply not an option anymore...
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What can you do with an old fish bowl?
You still want to put your old fish bowl to good use! So what can you do? Here are a few things you can do with your own glass bowl.
1. Turn your fish bowl into a paludarium!
You can still make great paludariums from your old fish tank! You probably know them, those pots with an active bottom and various plants. They're super fun and educational to make, and they also make beautiful home decor!
2. Make a planter or flower vase from it.
If you fill your fish bowl completely with soil (or water) you can also use it as a glass planter or flower vase!
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This is the best alternative to a fish bowl!
If you're going to keep fish, an aquarium is the best option. In fact, the bigger the aquarium, the less maintenance required!
When you get a larger aquarium, it becomes a complete ecosystem in itself, requiring less maintenance. However, this is only possible once the aquarium is fully balanced.
