Filter for 3 gallon betta tank?

Zbbal

Zbbal

AC Members
Jul 9, 2009
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Sevierville, TN
My cousin has been keeping her betta in a small half gallon bowl with nothing but gravel, so I told her she could have one of my small tanks. I gave her a 3 gallon tank, a pre-set heater, an air pump and bubble stick, sand, fake plants, a thermometer, dechlorinator, etc. I told her to put the gravel from her betta's bowl into the tank as well. She doesn't understand cycling, so I just told her that it'll make her betta feel better about his new home.

The only thing I didn't have to give her was a small filter. What filter would you recommend for this size tank? I was thinking I'd order a Azoo Palm filter for her, but then she can't get the lid on the tank. Maybe a sponger filter then? Can you recommend a brand, size, etc? The cheaper the filter the better. Thanks.
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The sponge filter will take up a lot of space. I would get the Azoo and either let the lid hand over the edge a bit or use some of the plastic craft mesh that people use to make moss walls and cut it to fit.
 
I agree. The Azoo palm/red sea nano would be perfect for the tank. Although I would put an aquaclear 30 filter sponge in the filter instead of using the media that comes with the filter as the media that comes with the filter does not provide very much surface area for bio filtration. An aquaclear 30 filter sponge is almost the exact size of the filter media area. I trimmed mine to create a reservoir behind the sponge and in front of the sponge to try to maximize the area of sponge used, but that step is not entirely necessary.

I would look at a petco (if you have one near you) Because some of them carry the red sea nano filter (which is the same as the azoo only with a different name).
 
I'll just have to make a lid I guess. It's a Tetra Water Wonders 3 gallon tank, so the lid is either on or off. Won't the craft mesh cause a lot of evaporation?
 
I just Googled the Tetra three gallon tank and it looks like it would be possible to cut a space for the filter in the lid.

I don't own one so I can't know for sure but I would try cutting a space for the filter if it is plastic.
 
The lid is made of acrylic. I'd have to cut it with one of my dad's tools. Still, I like this idea better than the mesh. I'll have to see what I can do.
 
Since you already have a bubbler in the tank you could always go with a cheap three dollar corner filter, and if you can try to teach your cuz about the nitrogen cycle, if she is at all interested in keeping her fishie alive, she will want to learn :)
 
The mesh is just something I did on my own tank because I had it on hand. I don't have evaporation issues if I keep up on my water changes.
 
She definitely wants to keep her fish alive, it's just...she has some learning issues. She wouldn't understand it. I go over to her house though, and when I'm there I try my best to teach her little things at a time. Like today I taught her how to dechlorinate her tap water. Until now she thought using distilled water was good. Next time I'll teach her how to change the water. Just baby steps for her.
 
what about one of those aquatic turtle filters.. they're submersible and only supposed to be used for a small amount of water... say 3 gallons..
 
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