Aquarium for Betta Fish

We had a tank for out beta that had a light and a filter, and we were cleaning it more frequently than the simple plastic bowl we now use. The man at the pet store said that stuff is more likely to grow in the water when you have a light.

Bettas don't really need a heater, but are fine with one. I've used 10 gallon aquariums and you can usually get a full set up for around $40-50 that includes the tank, a heater and filter. For water changes in a bowl, I have use a turkey baster to suck out all the stuff at the bottom and then just add water and stress coat. I had one for at least 6 years that was in a bowl and had one or two crashes into the sink during water changes, cracked bowl that we came home to him in about 1/2" of water, and several cross country drives and a couple of plane rides. Many can live peacefully with other fish too, sometimes the other fish or the betta will pick on each other, so you may have to separate if that happens, but usually they are peaceful with other fish, besides bettas of course.

We got a little 2 gallon hex aquarium for our little fish and then just added a heater. I think the aquarium was about $25 and the heater around $20? As for a filter, the hex aquarium came with one, but it stressed our betta out. The guy at our fish store said that they can adjust to one and he has bettas in larger tanks with other fish. We haven't found that we really need the filter because they aren't big waste producers.
I'd get a bigger bowl or aquarium, and be careful about over feeding. That will pollute your water and also make your fish sick.

I also wanted to add that typically bettas don't need a heater, but in the environment you described I would get one.They like warmish water... around 65-75 degrees and no big temperature changes. If nothing else, since your house is drafty and on the cold side, I'd get one just to maintain a consistent temp.

We got the aquarium at Petco, but had to go to a bigger more specialized store for the heater. I bet you could find one online. If you want specifics I could message you!

The natural habitat of betta fish is in rice paddies. They are used to living in small spaces and large tanks can cause them stress. No need for a heater.

I noticed in the fall that our betta was acting very lethargic and realized when I changed his water that it was very cold. I felt really bad! He was in a one gallon bowl with no heater. So in my guilty state, I went to Petsmart and got him a 2.5 gallon tank with a filter. I also bought a separate heater. It was probably all around $50. I also got him a log to swim through, which he loves. Now his water is nice and warm and he seems much happier. I read on a website that bettas like their water warm, like 78 degrees or so. Because of the filter, I completely change the water once a month and change half the water 2 weeks later. Also, I have two fake plants for him to swim around. No real plants.

Most of the time you dont need a heater or filter. I would however suggest getting a plant to put in the bowl, they seem to do better!

Betta's don't need a heater. We have a really cold drafty house as well. Our betta lives in a vase with out a heater. His vase also sits in front of a window. Our last betta lived for over a year and the one before that almost 2 years. You can even put a water lily (I think that's the plant) in the vase to make it look pretty.

These fish are actually pretty tough little boogers. They do well with a plant in with them as the plant gives off oxygen in the water. So I'm told.
My sister received one as a gift that lived 2 years in a big vase with a plant in her kitchen with indirect sunlight.
She rinsed the water out regularly and used little food pellets. No heater or filter. She didn't fuss with it too much and it did just fine.

I've had many beta fishes and in many different temperatures. Never once did I buy a heater for a $5 fish. They all lived long a productive lives of looking pretty in a medium size bowl.