You can never change a betta's water too often. Bettas thrive in clean, dechlorinated water, no matter how big or little their aquatic home is. Here is a handy guide to help you determine a water change schedule.
If you have a tiny bowl, something holding less than a gallon, you might consider daily water changes, or at least a schedule of three complete water changes a week. The key with small bowls and mini-tanks is to do a 100% water change.
For a small tank holding 1 up to 2.5 gallons, you can use a weekly water change schedule. With a tank of this size, you can do a 25% water change with a small siphon made for vacuuming gravel. You can get these siphons cheaply at any pet shop.
If you sometimes forget about weekly and feel an every other week schedule suits you, then move your water change amount to 50% of the tank.
In large tanks, if your betta is lucky enough to have a 5 or ten gallon aquarium all to himself, then you can do a change every other week, or every third week, with a 25% water change amount.
In a community tank (ie - your betta cohabits with other fish, in a 10, 20 or even 100 gallon tank), just continue the regimine you already use for your tropical fishes - you probably do a change once or twice a month.
You can always change the water more frequently in your tanks - it will contribute to a more healthy, happy betta fish, one more resistant to illness or even the betta version of depression (you know it when you see it!).
In between water changes, you can use a turkey baster to suction bottom cruds from your tanks and bowls, and dump the cruds right into your houseplants or compost bins, for a bit of free soil nutrients!
Here are three PetSmart links for good, starter betta tanks. You need to decide how often you are willing to change the water, before you get started. The first tank should have its water changed every other or third day. The gallon bowl can go about a week. The five gallon Eclipse is the easiest to care for, and can go for three weeks between changes, when set up properly. Check them out for comparison:
For a guide to all the betta articles on this site, check out the Betta Fish Index.
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