Non Flow Filters

[LilyRose Tank]

hi there. I have had fish in the past without much luck. I am considering starting a betta tank again, and would like to hear peoples experiences with non flow filters. If anyone can give me a link to a picture so i know what to look for at the lfs that would be great. And how long would it take to cycle a small tank (48L) with a non flow filter? so i can get one set up before shopping for my next little guy? thanks in advance xx

 

[fluttermoth]

Sorry; what's a 'non-flow' filter?

 

[LilyRose Tank]

its a filter that doesnt move the water. it just sits in the tank and doesnt provide a "flow or stream of water" going back into the tank. A lot of betta tank keepers, use them so they dont irritate their betta

 

[micko]

Is it a sponge filter?

 

[LilyRose Tank]

it may be, I am unsure what they are exactly. I have heard mention of a box filter or sponge filter that has very little to no flow which seems better for a Betta fish. In the past when I have kept Bettas I loose them within a few months, and I am researching whats best before I get a new little guy. I dont want what happened before to happen again. The filter i have has a strong flow, and I realise that even when turned down, the flow is too strong a current for a betta

 

[Blubble37]

i think you are talking about a sponge filter. IMO a HOB is best. Choose one with a low ish flow rate so it will turn over the tank about 5X an hour and that should be fine...

 

[LilyRose Tank]

bubble37, can you tell me more about the HOB...never heard this term, can you elaborate your answer plz. thanks in advance

 

[LilyRose Tank]

bubble37, can you tell me more about the HOB...never heard this term, can you elaborate your answer plz. thanks in advance

 

[Better is Betta]

You could try an external filter that hangs on the outside of the tank and creates a waterfall. I found these ideal as it doesn't upset the bettas especially their bubble nests. I have them in all my tanks.

 

[LilyRose Tank]

thanks

 

[Seed_Lord]

A small internal with a spray bar could work, spray bar will dampen the flow from 1 source and lessen the current. Ive had no problems with bettas and small internals without spray bars or anything if the filters in the right place with something to take the brunt of the flow and dispersing it.

 

[fluttermoth]

I think your problem is more likely to have been an uncycled filter; a filter with too fast a flow could certainly make a betta uncomfortable or unhappy, but they wouldn't kill it. A sponge or air-driven box filter would be perfect for one betta, and wouldn't make too much current.

I suggest you read some of the articles in the beginner's resource centre (the link is in my sig) and familiarise yourself with the nitrogen cycle before you try keeping fish again; it'll help you no end .

 

[LilyRose Tank]

fluttermoth, thanks for the advise, however I have had cycled tanks in the past, just had unlucky fish, my filters were cycled, and were working perfectly well, all my water levels were, normal pH 7.2, amm, Nitite, and nitrate were 0 on a weekly basis. all parameters were good...just couldnt figure out why I was loosing fish. OM47 and Waterdrop were constantly confused as to why I had such an unlucky time of it. I lost tank after tank of fish.I understand the nitrogen cycle, and have started cycling this tank from scratch as its been in the shed for a few months. so my problem wasnt an uncycled filter, just unlucky newbie i guess. But I am determined, it WILL happen, I will have a working tank...#41#### it!!! lol
anyway thanks

 

[waterdrop]

I suspect the betta folks are just talking about low-flow in various forms. I agree that air-driven box filters or low-flow sponge filters can probably acheive the least disturbance but it's also possible that hang-on-back(HOB) or even miniature external cannister filters might be around for nano-applications that would keep things slow and quiet.

In the old days, internal box filters started out with a very small air pump (or a constricted air flow gang valve) set to release individual bubbles that would rise one by one up the output tube of the box filter. Later on, manufacturers began hooking an airstone at the bottom of the riser tube and this resulted in probably more disturbance and flow. Another principle to remember is what OM47 used to talk about a fair amount, that as long as you arrange your tank such that fish can find enough peaceful areas, it won't matter that some areas are higher flow.

WD

 

[lilfishie]

I keep my Bettas with all different filters, some Sponge, some Internal, Some with Spray bars, Some Box, never had a problem with any of them