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My wife and I recently purchased a couple of "Betta sphere" at our LPS. These were to house our 3 female bettas. This "Betta sphere" retails for about $20 a piece and comes with a form fitted stand with a built in LED light (which honestly stunk!)in which the bowl slips into the stand and under the light. So before long it was time for a cleaning again, and up until this point cleaning was easy, then they started getting dirty. I took each female Betta out of her bowl and into a cup, then after removing all gravel proceeded to rinse the bowls out. before this point I could get away with just rinsing them, now they needed to be cleaned. So using my hand under luke warm water i began gently rubbing my hand inside the bowl. Then, It basically shatters in my hand, cuttin me. I knew by looking at the bowl it was pretty thin glass..but i figured you have to be able to clean them..right? So iI take it back to my LPS and exchange for a new one. Go back to my house to continue my water changes. And I KNOW now to be extra careful with them...so I am...and it happens again. Yes a second one breaks in my hand cutting me again. In turn i packed all 3 up and returned them. So I just wanted to get the word out on these Betta spheres.. they are very dangerous and I would hate to see a little kid who is just starting out, going to clean his new fish bowl get slashed by one of these things. I will be going back to my LPS today to get the name and address of the maker (I was a little to furious to think that clearly when it happened) and they WILL be hearing from me. My hands are my source of income and I'll tell you I was lucky...It could have been alot worse. It's just too bad company's just want to make money and can't pay an extra 50 cents for THICKER GLASS!

Good for you, and Thanks for the warning, I'm always looking for new betta bowls and I've had my eye on that one b/c of the pretty look. Now I know better.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

It's America...you should try to sue, it's the American way. If people can sue McDonalds for making them fat...you could get away with it I'm just kiddin people...although that might actually work.

Seriously. You should sue them. This is a real problem. If you don't do anything, someone could get hurt really bad!

Just wanted to update everyone on this. I have e-mailed the company with no reply as of yet. You'd think they would have at least responded. Also F.Y.I the company that makes these things is called "MarineLand" (www.marineland.com) feel free to drop them a line]:|]:|]:|]:|]:|]:|]:|]:|]:|
Thanks all for your support, I wish I had the time and energy to pursue legal action but I just don't...besides it's not like i cut my finger off or even had to get stitches, but I know how you feel.]:|]:|]:|]:|]:|

Hmm...Marineland's stuff is usually durable and doesn't break. I've got a 5+ year old Penguin 125 from them that's still going as good as my brand new one. I might drop them a line sometime and let them know...their phone system is usually very efficent and simple too

Yeah, I thought marineland was good

well, this product definitely isn't..ouch

I have always liked marineland products.

Personally, it sounds like a defect, and they will be recalled, and made with thicker glass... unless they were made especially for the store (petco, and Petsmart do this often) they will be really cheap, and is uaually the stores fault, and not the compant making them.

Well, even if they just stamped their name on it, they are still responsible.

BTW, when I worked at my LFS, people were constantly coming in to replace impeller and motor assemblies that had stopped functioning.

The impellor just needs to be soaked in vinegar for 2-3 hours...it's a mineral buildup, not a defect.

That happened to my Penguins too, and they're working fine now

I can confirm Jessnick's accounting of the Betta Spheres. The bowl's glass is thinner than a standard drinking glass! Not only are they a PITA to clean inside (top opening very small), but the design of the light-base is so specific you can't use a similar bowl to REPLACE Marineland's inferior plate-glass spittle-cup!!

and I tryed too!!!!lol