Filter- Yes Or No?

[FishySarah]

I had a betta in my filtered five gallon tank for a little over two years. He seemed happy, and I was very sad when he died two weeks ago. He didn't seem to be sick, he just stopped eating, got less and less active and finally died. Since he had no other symptoms and was so old, I figured it was just nature taking its course. But I miss him.

So anyway, I got a new betta. My old betta never had any problem with the filter in the tank. The current never seemed to bother him. But I was worried about this betta, since I read everywhere they aren't supposed to have filters, even though I have never had a betta have a problem with this. So I took the filter out.

But I am concerned about the state of the tank. It's big, and I do a 50% water change every week, but I am wondering if I should put the filter back. It's a Stingray Elite 5 and unfortunately the current is not adjustable.

What experiences have people had with bettas and filters?

 

[Snooks1!]

I had a betta in my filtered five gallon tank for a little over two years. He seemed happy, and I was very sad when he died two weeks ago. He didn't seem to be sick, he just stopped eating, got less and less active and finally died. Since he had no other symptoms and was so old, I figured it was just nature taking its course. But I miss him.

So anyway, I got a new betta. My old betta never had any problem with the filter in the tank. The current never seemed to bother him. But I was worried about this betta, since I read everywhere they aren't supposed to have filters, even though I have never had a betta have a problem with this. So I took the filter out.

But I am concerned about the state of the tank. It's big, and I do a 50% water change every week, but I am wondering if I should put the filter back. It's a Stingray Elite 5 and unfortunately the current is not adjustable.

What experiences have people had with bettas and filters?

I personally prefer to keep all of mine in filtered tanks. It makes keeping the tank clean much easier. And if you plan on adding fish other than a betta into the tank, you'll need to have it filtered.

Though... if the current is too strong you can try to make a filter-killer for it. It's a very simple process:


Take a 2 liter bottle of soda, rinse it out and cut the middle part out. Fit this over your filter and cut it down to the appropriate size. Make sure you cut the edges smooth and round off the corners so your betta can't hurt himself. This quick fix will make it so the flow hits the plastic and dissipates out the sides and down the back of the tank.

There's a really good post around here some-where showing how to do it... But for the life of me I can't find it...

 

[FishySarah]

Wow, that's great advice! Thanks, I had never heard of a filter-killer before. I'll definitely consider that.

 

[Snooks1!]

Aye, they work wonders, just make sure the edges aren't too rough...or that there isn't any really sharp edges. Don't want your fishy scaling himself by rubbing up against it .

If you can make a filter-flow killer then your betta should do just fine in a filtered tank. Some bettas do prefer turbulent water, but most of your average VT variety bettas get flung around too much at even the subtlest current. That's why I've put flow-killers in all of my tanks.

 

[FishySarah]

Wait a minute. I just realized I have absolutely no idea how to do this. I have a submerged filter, not a box filter. The bottle half will go over the filter how? I am trying to picture this but I can't. I'm sorry I'm so dense, could you explain it in a little more detail please? How do I get the bottle half to stick to the side of the aquarium?

 

[Amunet]

All of my bettas have been in filtered tanks.
I do need to do something about the 10gal one since it's divided so my poor gals can't get away from it very well, but other than that... none of my bettas have ever had a problem w/ filters.

The previous female that was in the tank adjusted to it very well.
I also had a female in the community tank which had 1 HOB filter and 1 biowheel in the tank at the time and she never had a problem. They got pushed around by the current but it never stressed them.


Anywho! I've never had a submerged filter before... maybe go to the DIY section of the forums and ask about the "flow-killer" there? They might know some tricks you could do

 

[FishySarah]

After hearing a few more people talk about how their bettas never had a problem with a filter, I tried putting my filter back in.

It didnt' seem to stress my guy out in the least. He was swimming about just fine. I guess there's no problem, though I will continue to keep and eye on him and make sure he isn't struggling and his fins aren't frayed.

A few years ago, I had a betta in a filtered tank who also did fine and lived to the ripe old age of three. I just got worried because so many people were telling me it was a problem. I guess I worry too much.

 

[ReMz]

i am VERY successfully keeping a betta in a topfin aquascene 5 with great success. there is no current what-so-ever.

however. i tried to ghetto rig a taller 5 gallon tank with a whisper 10i filter. this tank housed a very young crowntail. he immediately showed stress.... hid in the back corner..... and didnt respond to my movements or tricks i had taught him since owning him a little bit over a week in the 1/2 gallon tank. i have since then put him back in the little tank (he is now reacting positively). i'm thinking that the current is too strong and im not completely confident that the "bottle mod" has limited the current the way i wanted it to. im considering buying another topfin 5... but it doesnt necessarily come cheap.

if anyone has experience with a "current shy" betta.... i would also like some input in addition to my own for the topic.

 

[Shrimper]

But I am concerned about the state of the tank. It's big, and I do a 50% water change every week, but I am wondering if I should put the filter back. It's a Stingray Elite 5 and unfortunately the current is not adjustable.

What experiences have people had with bettas and filters?

I have the same filter in my Betta tank (it might be a 10 now i think about it but i'm certain its the same), you can adjust the angle the water comes out of the filter and point it towards the glass... the flow is a lot lower when you do this. The other thing i have done is put a little bit of sponge between the cable and the tank with the outlet pointing towards it. This slowed the flow as well. My Betta seems nice and happy.

 

[blue_betta]

I had a betta in my filtered five gallon tank for a little over two years. He seemed happy, and I was very sad when he died two weeks ago. He didn't seem to be sick, he just stopped eating, got less and less active and finally died. Since he had no other symptoms and was so old, I figured it was just nature taking its course. But I miss him.

So anyway, I got a new betta. My old betta never had any problem with the filter in the tank. The current never seemed to bother him. But I was worried about this betta, since I read everywhere they aren't supposed to have filters, even though I have never had a betta have a problem with this. So I took the filter out.

But I am concerned about the state of the tank. It's big, and I do a 50% water change every week, but I am wondering if I should put the filter back. It's a Stingray Elite 5 and unfortunately the current is not adjustable.

What experiences have people had with bettas and filters?

I personally prefer to keep all of mine in filtered tanks. It makes keeping the tank clean much easier. And if you plan on adding fish other than a betta into the tank, you'll need to have it filtered.

Though... if the current is too strong you can try to make a filter-killer for it. It's a very simple process:


Take a 2 liter bottle of soda, rinse it out and cut the middle part out. Fit this over your filter and cut it down to the appropriate size. Make sure you cut the edges smooth and round off the corners so your betta can't hurt himself. This quick fix will make it so the flow hits the plastic and dissipates out the sides and down the back of the tank.

There's a really good post around here some-where showing how to do it... But for the life of me I can't find it...

its in the FAQ section.
a stingray filter wont allow the method you suggest purely coz of the shape of it..
you could use a spraybar..
i use a bit of wire to attach a peice of filer sponge to the filter outlet and then cover that with java moss and it slows the current down alot

 

[nakomis90]

Ill only use filter with my girl tank!
but with the boys i wont risk it after one got his tail shredded up to hi body!
not pretty

 

[TribeOfShroom]

If you're worry about your filter harming your betta, you could do what I do and run the tank off an air driven filter. In my sorority tank I have 2 air driven filters and my breeding tank is run off an air driven filter as well. The flow would then be dependant on how strong the air pump is.

The two filters in my sorority tank are run of 1 pump that is adjustable. I could have it turning over 100L per hour each or 10L per hour. Currently I think I have them running at 60-70L per hour each. Which on an 80L cube tank isn't bad.