How to Convert a Flower Vase Into a Fish Tank

Avoid overloading a smaller vase with too many fish.

The next time you win a fish at the county fair or your child begs for a pet, don’t waste your money on an elaborate fish bowl or tank. Instead, use a glass vase collecting dust in the closet to house a smaller goldfish or betta. There are several considerations to keep in mind when housing a fish in any glass bowl, including a vase, that contains no filtration system. With a little extra work, almost any ordinary glass vase makes a suitable home for your new pet.

Things You'll Need

• Mild soap and water
• Baby bottle cleaner
• Soft cloth
• Aquarium pebbles or rocks
• Distilled water
• Aquarium plants
• Tap water

Instructions

1. Clean the vase with mild dish soap and water. Scrub the inside of the vase with a baby bottle cleaner and rinse it well with warm water. Dry the vase with a soft cloth to prevent streaks and water marks. Mild soap contains no dyes or perfumes.

2. Pour a 2- to 3-inch layer of aquarium pebbles or rocks. Rinse the rocks with distilled water to remove any impurities before pouring them into the vase.

3. Place two to three aquarium plants into the vase, depending on the amount of available space. Secure the plants by gently pushing them into the aquarium pebbles or rocks. Do not add more plants than the vase can accommodate to prevent overcrowding the space.

4. Fill the vase half-full with water that is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow the water to sit for at least 24 hours before introducing the fish.

5. Pour the fish, and the water it is currently living in, into the glass vase. Do not allow the vase to become more than three-quarters full to ensure the fish does not attempt to jump out. Avoid removing the fish from its original water and dropping it into the vase to prevent shocking it.

6. Set the vase fish tank on a sturdy structure in a well-lit area.

Tips & Warnings

• Feed the fish no more than once a day to keep the amount of extraneous fish food and fecal matter to a minimum. The lack of filtration means the excess fecal matter and decaying food can create a potentially dangerous environment for the fish.

• Replace the fish’s water at least once a week to ensure the excess fecal matter and uneaten food don’t create a dangerous environment for the fish.

• Avoid adding more fish than the vase can accommodate. Each fish requires at least 3 inches of space to avoid potential issues, including stunted growth.

References

• Han Palace: Large Glass Fish Vase
• Fish Tank Guide: Keeping a Fish Bowl