Should I Use A Filter And/or Add A Scavenger To 10 Gal Tank ?

[rvmccarty]

Hi All!

I'm new to this forum. I'm a novice to owning bettas, as well.

We just got a male betta about 5 days ago. He's in a 10 gallon tank w/ about 7 gallons of water. He's the only occupant in the tank, currently. The tank has several small water ferns and small aquarium rocks as well as a heater which is on full power and keeping the tank around 76-78 degrees. I should probably upgrade the heater in the future.

I have a filter but I'm not currently using it b/c I haven't decided which filter medium is best for bettas. I have also read that water pouring out of the filter is not good for bettas.

Would having a scavenger-type fish take the place of having a filter? If not, which type of filter medium is best. The filter looks as if it will accept different types of medium provided I chose what fits.

I can see our betta doesn't like it when we add water to the tank as the current produced is too much for him. The water pouring into the tank from the filter seems like it would produce a similar current or even greater current as me pouring it by hand. Is the current harmful to bettas or do they just not like it so much as it's less like there natural habitat?


Thank you in Advance!
Robin

 

[NinjaSmurf]

Add the filter, there are ways of buffering the flow so it isn't so powerful. Also, why isn't the tank full?

Ceramic (hope I spelled that right) media is usually the best because it holds so much bacteria.

I would suggest going to the beginners resource pinned topic and reading up on cycling, as it will explain about why a filter is so important.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Yup, add the filter.

Another fish in the tank is just going to add to the ammonia level.

-FHM

 

[rvmccarty]

Thank you Ninja Smurf and Fatheadminnow!

The water level isn't at 10 gallons because we need a new lid. I'm concerned he may jump out of the tank. Not sure if he can jump a good 3-4 inch, but I don't want to risk it.

We inherited the tank from my mom. I'm not sure what type of filtration system we have but it looks the Aqua-Tech type. It most likely is made to accept filter pads. Can I place ceramic media such as this (http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2755271&lmdn=Fish) in the filter in place of a filter pad or does it require a filter specifically made for ceramic media?

Thank you again!
Robin

 

[Mauricia]

Yep all fish add to the ammonia, it's common for people to think that "tank cleaners" will clean their tank, but in fact every living creature you put in the tank will make it dirtier. I believe the phrase "tank cleaner" comes from the idea that they will make the tank appear cleaner by eating algae and/or eating uneaten food. So, after you add a filter to your tank, with such a nice big tank for your betta you would be fine to add a scavenger type animal. The best recommendation would be a snail or two, because they can't hurt your betta and your betta will be unlikely to hurt them. Shrimp would be ok, they won't hurt the betta but your betta might eat them.
Anyway though, you will want to put a filter in there first and then wait a good couple months to make sure bacteria has established in the filter so that whatever you add doesn't make the water too dirty for the betta.
What type of filter do you have? If the filter you have is unsuitable you can get another one for really cheap. I've found that bettas seem ok with the flow around 60-80 gph, although you can go higher if they don't have trouble swimming. Ideally you would get a 10 gallon filter that is adjustable, then put it on the lowest flow. If the betta still has trouble then cover the intake with filter sponge. You could also stick a piece of sponge over the outflow. The best way to do this will depend on the filter type. If you have the kind of filter where it cascades from the top onto the surface you can use a cleaned, cut to size soda bottle to make the water hit the surface more gently. The current isn't harmful, my bettas all love to swim into the current.
The only way it would be harmful would be if you didn't work to make the flow low enough so your betta could still swim properly, if he's being tossed around the tank uncontrollably he will get very stressed.
As far as your tank not being filled all the way, I'm not sure what your reasoning is, but if your heater can only get it up to 76 you might want to leave it at 7 gallons for now until you get a better heater.

Oh I just saw your other reply, and yes you can just stick the ceramic media in there but you'll probably want to put it in a little filter media bag to keep it in place.
And yes bettas can jump very high so this is a good idea. But if you can't afford to get a lid soon then I would go to a fabric store and get that white knitting mesh, it's really cheap and you can fit it in place. If you can afford a lid then I would get one though, as it allows the betta to breathe humid air and I've read that's healthier for them.

 

[rvmccarty]

That was very helpful advise which I am grateful for! Thank you, Mauricia!

-Robin

 

[GuppyGoddess]

Hi All!

I'm new to this forum. I'm a novice to owning bettas, as well.

We just got a male betta about 5 days ago. He's in a 10 gallon tank w/ about 7 gallons of water. He's the only occupant in the tank, currently. The tank has several small water ferns and small aquarium rocks as well as a heater which is on full power and keeping the tank around 76-78 degrees. I should probably upgrade the heater in the future.

I have a filter but I'm not currently using it b/c I haven't decided which filter medium is best for bettas. I have also read that water pouring out of the filter is not good for bettas.

Would having a scavenger-type fish take the place of having a filter? If not, which type of filter medium is best. The filter looks as if it will accept different types of medium provided I chose what fits.

I can see our betta doesn't like it when we add water to the tank as the current produced is too much for him. The water pouring into the tank from the filter seems like it would produce a similar current or even greater current as me pouring it by hand. Is the current harmful to bettas or do they just not like it so much as it's less like there natural habitat?


Thank you in Advance!
Robin

I have five bettas and with one in the 10-gallon tank tried various tank mates and none worked out. The one (a female) was always pale when I had other fish in there (rasboras - which I re-homed, then later a platy). When I took all the other fish out, she darkened up to a rich navy blue. She's SO content on her own. She patrols the front of the tank back and forth.

I don't like snails because they can multiply. I found one in a plant I brought home and I put him in a .5 gallon vase by himself. He sits on my window sill and my cats drink water from the vase!

 

[ellena]

I second the suggestion to read the threads about cycling in the beginners section
The filter provides a home for bacteria which eat the fish waste which is dissolved in the water so looks invisible.
'Cleaner' fish, as mauricia said, can make a tank look visually cleaner by eating algae.
The filter media really doesn't matter, sponge or ceramic is generally best. Sponge over the outlet works well to decrease flow.

 

[Gareth78]

Hi,

I'm a novice too and have had a Betta in a 9G Biorb (hold the boo's , i realise now) I had to purchase a adjustable air pump as the std one that comes with seem to make the water flow a little high for my Bettas liking, not too mention it was noisy too.

The cermaic media seems to do fine by him, but be carefull as its sometimes very sharp, Bruce the Betta ripped his tail on the jagged bits, since which i have covered the media with rounded pebbles and we havent had the same thing again, and his tears have recovered.

Also i have read on a few sites that small cleaners can be food to your Betta, i have a large Bamboo Shrimp which he dosnt really go near but the shrimp is larger to alot i have seen e.g cherry. I have added some Endlers (which are about 1/6 his length) to my tank very recently, and they seem pretty good at the cleaning to. The Betta chased them around a bit for the first few days but now generally ignores them.

I would advise both...

 

[OldMan47]

There is nothing wrong with a 9 gallon tank for a single betta. The orbs are not the best shape for them but by holding the level a bit low, maybe at only 6 or 7 gallons, you can make it work well for him by expanding the open surface area.

For Rvmccarty, the water ferns are the only filter that you tank has right now. Almost any filter would be a better choice than none at all, unless you are ready to do the frequent water replacements that a breeder might use on his grow out jars to keep the ammonia under control. Most of us just don't have the time or inclination to work to a fixed schedule of large and frequent water changes for an individual fish. What works in a business, with plenty of hired help, doesn't always work at home.