Hi,

I've had my betta in quarantine in a .5 gallon bowl so that I can medicate him (he was consipated, but is doing much better now!) He will be going back into the tank soon, however, I was wondering what is the best way to do water changes ina bowl? I have two of these bowls that I am working with, so I have been filling the extra one with water, letting it sit in the sun to warm up, putting in some stress coat and betta revive, then just netting him and putting him in the new bowl when the water is about the same temp. Is this safe to do, or would it be better to put him in another bowl with half old water and half new water, then dumping him into the new bowl after 15 minutes? Now much of a difference of temperature can they handle without problems? I use my finger to judge - usually the new water is just a tad warmer. He seems to be handling the change fine, I just want to make sure I am not causing any undue stress. Also, on days when the sun is not shining, can I use warm tap water, or should i heat up some water on the stove and mix it down with colder water to attain the right temp?

Thanks!
mfa

If the water feels a wee bit warmer it is prob OK- colder would be more stressful.
Do you have a thermometer that you can float in one and then the other bowl to check for sure? Any more than 1 degree different is going to be stressful and esp if it's repeated often. Some people use a small amount of boiled water from the kettle to make up the difference

This is pretty much the way they're treated by breeders at around 3 months old when they're first separated so it will be fine.