I have a beta, Swimmy, that I keep on top of a bookcase in an approx. 3/4 gal. bowl. Do you all think that's too small? Anyway, I've had him for a year and three months now and everything's been fine so far. I change his water every 2 weeks or so. I don't travel with him at all though. I moved last year, about a 60-mile move, and Swimmy almost died. I really thought I was going to lose him. I had him in a large glass, bigger than the ones you see betas in at the pet store, with a few holes in the lid. I think the bumpy ride was what got him. He turned extremely pale, almost white, and was floating on his side, barely breathing. As soon as I got to my new apartment (about an hour trip, he got bad really fast) I put him back in his bowl with fresh water and just let him be for about two days. I didn't bother him, move him, or anything. I just fed him a little. He floated at the top for two days, borderline dead, then on the third day I woke up to find him colorful and bright and alive like nothing had happened. So who knows? Maybe he just got an extreme case of car-sickness. Anyway, my point is, traveling is never that good for a fishie of any kind. Do you take him home in a bag, or do you have a lid for the vase? How long is your commute? As far as the algae in the vase, I can only suggest getting some different water treatment stuff - like the little drops you put in the water to take out the chlorine and stuff. Maybe they lose efficacy after a while?