Filter Recommendation for a 5gal with a Betta

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laurel

AC Members
Oct 6, 2005
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My mother just gave me a 5 1/2 gallon tank. I'd like to house a betta and a couple mystery snails in it. Can anyone recommend a good filter for such a small tank? Preferably one with an adjustable flow so it's not to turbulent for the betta. I've looked at several but would like your opinions!

Thank you! :)

Heater and hood suggestions are also welcome!
 
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AquaClear Mini's are a good choice. They are adjustable, and you have lots of media options.

For a heater--I've been happy with my small Ebo Jagers. Reliable, and submersible. Hoods--no clue--I usually build my own or buy them together. Do you want plants?
 
laurel said:
My mother just gave me a 5 1/2 gallon tank. I'd like to house a betta and a couple mystery snails in it. Can anyone recommend a good filter for such a small tank? Preferably one with an adjustable flow so it's not to turbulent for the betta. I've looked at several but would like your opinions!

Thank you! :)

Heater and hood suggestions are also welcome!
Click to expand...

If that's your entire fish load you can always get an under-gravel filter.
 
I was just looking at a Marineland Penguin 100B. I may go with that one but I like the Aqua Clear 150 also...
Decisions decisions!

Yes, I'm planning on low light, easy plants and some silk plants.
 
I can't tell you which TO get but I can tell you to avoid the Fluval Plus 1. I had it in my 8 gallon hex and disliked it. It clogged quickly chooking off water flow. I will say that I've been happy with the marineland biowheel products. I'm not sure if they make something with a biowheel in that size though.

Be careful with fake plants and a betta. the fins are delicate so make sure those silk plants don't have wires internally.
 
Although I like the Bio-wheel, I understand that Bettas are still water fish, and 100 g/hr from the Penguin may result in the rare case of overfiltration, since it's going to have quite a lot of flow for a tank that size. My favorite reference indicates that 6 to 10 water changes per hour is good, and with the Betta, you might want to go to the lower end. With the Penguin 100 and a 5 gallon tank, you'll be getting 20 changes an hour! You probably want something with more like 30 g/hr flow rate. (Or adjustable to that, as you indicate.)

I just looked around the web, and there aren't many power filters with less than about 100 g/hr. The Marineland Duetto Mini is an internal filter that looks about the right size, but I can't vouch for it personally.
 
I wouldn't worry to much about the betta and currents. You can use plants to help block some of the current and the betta will get stronger from it. You just need to make sure there's plenty of places in the tank to get out of the flow.
 
Thanks all!
Yes, it's hard to find filters for tanks that small. The Marineland Penguin 100B does have a bio wheel. I like the bio wheels too but was concerned about the current with that filter. I ended up buying an Aqua Clear 30 which is adjustable. I'm very careful with the silk plants and will only get ones that have no wires or sharp plastic parts.

Thanks again! I can't wait to get this tank going!
I've always wanted a betta but this will be my first!
 
Let us see a picture once you have him. I just got my first betta (in a 10G tank) 4 days ago and its a joy to watch him - he is really active. I actually just posted a video of him darting around his tank.....
 
I use a little Red Sea Nano Filter in my 3 gallon Betta tank. It say it is for 3 gallon tanks but for a tank with only one batta in it, it should work fine. Can adjust the current flow on it.
Red Sea Nano
 
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