Do I Need Pump When Using Heater?

[GuppyGoddess]

Hi everyone,

I just purchased a new 3-gallon tank. It's my second Eclipse 3 and I bought it to house my Betta. (I know there are cheaper kits and also plain glass aquariums, I just don't like the look of them. The Eclipse has the best asthetic appeal to me.)

For that size, is it okay to put an adjustable 25-watt heater into it without running the pump or will the tank end up with warm and cool spots? I haven't tested the pump yet to see if the current bugs my Betta.

I'm *really* good about doing water changes, so not running the pump and/or using a filter isn't a big deal. . .it's only the heater aspect that I need to know about.

Thanks!

 

[matchstickman47]

you need a filter...

not just to keep the water moving but to keep it clean

 

[waterdrop]

Agree, you'd really benefit from running a small HOB or other filter, despite your good water changing habits.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[GuppyGoddess]

What is the slowest flow HOB filter I can use for a Betta that he will like?

I read about putting pantyhose over the intake valve to slow down the water uptake so there's less current coming out. Have you ever heard of this?

 

[waterdrop]

Bettas don't really mind having some filter output flow in their tank as long as they have somewhere to escape it when they want. Careful placement of the filter, adjusting its outflow direction if possible and arrangement of decorations and plants can help with this. Aquaclear tend to be the most highly recommended HOB units here because of the wide open media holding areas which allow flexibility in media choice and use. I don't know if the "mini" model would still be too much for your 3 gallon but I'd hope not. Remember, carbon is not needed, just biomedia in different sizes and perhaps polyfloss for fine debris.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[OldMan47]

I run all of my bettas in tanks with other fish. In a 10 gallon, I use a filter rated for a 20 gallon and in my 45 I use a canister filter rated for 60 gallons. The betta gets out of the return flow when he wants to but does get a lot of voluntary exercise every day. I find the treatment given to bettas about like the treatment they give those Japanese beef cattle that get daily massages so that their meat will be extra tender. There is no reason for either one for the animal's health but if you have a huge tailed double half moon betta you might hold the flow low to avoid developing more muscle tone than the show "ideal".

 

[GuppyGoddess]

I run all of my bettas in tanks with other fish. In a 10 gallon, I use a filter rated for a 20 gallon and in my 45 I use a canister filter rated for 60 gallons. The betta gets out of the return flow when he wants to but does get a lot of voluntary exercise every day. I find the treatment given to bettas about like the treatment they give those Japanese beef cattle that get daily massages so that their meat will be extra tender. There is no reason for either one for the animal's health but if you have a huge tailed double half moon betta you might hold the flow low to avoid developing more muscle tone than the show "ideal".

Muscle tone to the show "ideal?" You are saying, though, that the muscle tone IS okay for them healthwise? My betta is pretty as is, but if he looses a bit of the showiness, that's fine. He just hangs out in my family room. I'm a novice hobbiest and just want my fish to be happy.

 

[OldMan47]

I have hard swimming healthy bettas. I don't worry that their caudal peduncle is a bit thicker and heavier than the ones that I see in pet shops. These are mature robust fish that spend their time with other strong swimming fish in tanks that are not designed to baby them. The extreme light weight look that I often see in bettas remind me that they just are not allowed to work out enough. IME a betta is not a wimpy still water fish, it is a strong fish with some personality.