i was wondering i have heard that a sponge filter is safer for a Betta fish. I have a 30G and i plan to have my Betta in a community tank but im wondering if a normal filter is good enough of if sponge is better for a situation like this.
Filter for my betta?
- Thread starter Paliut1992
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LiveMermaid07
Bloody Mary. As in, hand me one.
Normal filter should be good enough, just make sure the betta can get away from the currnat the filter causes and the inake, otherwise they get nipped fins from getting sucked into the intake and can get stuck on it too. they get tired out from constantly trying to swim in too strong a currant. Betta's are not strong swimmers.
Actually I've read that -depending on what the intake on your filter is shaped like - you can put an aquarium sponge on the fliter's intake. That way there's more room for good bacteria and your betta doesn't get sucked in. Which he or she will appreciate.
Actually I've read that -depending on what the intake on your filter is shaped like - you can put an aquarium sponge on the fliter's intake. That way there's more room for good bacteria and your betta doesn't get sucked in. Which he or she will appreciate.
Bettas prefer calm , still water. So yes make sure the currant isn't to strong. Also stay away from the air pumps. The bubbles can stress them out.
LiveMermaid07
Bloody Mary. As in, hand me one.
Depending on your tank setup a small bubbler with a not-too-strong air pump can make a nice addition. My bettas have always loved to watch the bubbles, as long as it's just a slow stream, otherwise it will stress them out.
(I tried a really nice looking pump a while back, but had to turn it off immediately because it made 'tornados' out of the two little air stones. I would need a huge tank and several large bubblers for that pump I think.)
LiveMermaid07
Bloody Mary. As in, hand me one.
I just set up a 29g (only has room for 20.5g leaving an inch at the top). It came with an 'Aquatech' (?) 20/40 filter, and it is definitley TOO strong. I'm gonna try to set a large plant beneath the flow....
I don't know why they don't sell ajustable flow anywhere around here.
I don't know why they don't sell ajustable flow anywhere around here.
I have a sponge fit over my filter intake and sponge inserts on the filter exit to slow down the water flow. It works pretty well! Also, tall plants by the filter output will help diffuse the current. I'm using a melon sword for that purpose.
Yeah, if it's a community, I'd go ahead and get a power filter and cover the intake with either a sponge (cut a slit in one end for the intake to slip into), pantyhose, or some other mesh. This prevents the betta's fins from getting sucked in and shredded and also slows down the flow a bit to make it some calmer. Plus, it gives some extra area for the beneficial bacteria. You can do the same thing with canister filters, but I tend wait until the tank is over 40g to go for canisters (not necessary but seems like a waste to spend the $ on a canister when power or sponge filters work just as good for smaller tanks).
When it's a smaller tank and/or just bettas (or inverts), then I recommend sponge filters since they are foolproof in those situations. Even when I covered my intake (tried several things), I still got snails and shrimp in my power filter. With a sponge filter, I don't have to worry. But, yeah, they are not necessary for bettas, and there are other options to customize whatever filter to help make it more betta-friendly.
When it's a smaller tank and/or just bettas (or inverts), then I recommend sponge filters since they are foolproof in those situations. Even when I covered my intake (tried several things), I still got snails and shrimp in my power filter. With a sponge filter, I don't have to worry. But, yeah, they are not necessary for bettas, and there are other options to customize whatever filter to help make it more betta-friendly.
Lol, my Betta is in the 55 and loves playing around the hob filter. He started off laying on the tank bottom, but soon gained his strength and now he likes to challenge himself. Most will adjust just fine as long as it isn't uber over filtered.
LiveMermaid07
Bloody Mary. As in, hand me one.
You can put sponges on the exits?! I didn't know that!
How do you put them on? (have a 'waterfall' exit, aquatech 20/40)
Hmm, you might be better off using a soap dish with suctions under the output with the waterfall-type. You might be able to get a large sponge and cut a slit in it to fit over the lip of the waterfall, but I think you might have trouble getting it to stay there. My canister has a tube with a flare-end that I could see putting a sponge over, though I haven't (put it over the intake instead).
The soap dish thing is just where you get a clear soap dish that has suction cups and put it below the output of the filter. Somebody came up with that idea, and I seriously considered it but tried the sponges instead as I had them already. I guess it works pretty well but you still get plenty of flow, just sort of broken up so it's not so direct/forceful.
The soap dish thing is just where you get a clear soap dish that has suction cups and put it below the output of the filter. Somebody came up with that idea, and I seriously considered it but tried the sponges instead as I had them already. I guess it works pretty well but you still get plenty of flow, just sort of broken up so it's not so direct/forceful.