filter too strong for my little betta

klfvilla

klfvilla

AC Members
Mar 15, 2007
196
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0
Southern Ontario, Canada
Hi everyone, I purchased a betta last Friday. I had him in the lily vase set up and quickly realized that this wasn't right for my little friend. I went to Walmart and purchased him a 5 gallon tank. It is a sort of a half hexagon shape, with a flat back. It looks really nice (well for a beginner like me anyway) and I thought he'd be pleased with it too. It is a mansion compared to the vase. The problem is that the filter creates a current in the tank that is too strong for him. It pushes him down and he can barely cross the tank. It is an Aqua-Tech power filter model 5/15. Is there anything I can do to correct this situation? I really want to have a filter because I found the vase set up was dirty every day and I would like to try some clean living for him. Thanks in advance!
 
Every fish deserves a good home. A betta in a 5G filter is great. I am not sure what to about the current. Hopefully someone has an answer.

Glad you care for your fish.
 
Either put a sponge on the intake of the filter or put something over the output to diffuse the spray a little.

It's a HOB filter on a 5G, which generates a lot of current for such a small space.
 
Thanks very much for the advice. After hunting around a bit on this site I found that this is actually a pretty common problem for betta tanks and I even found a great link with photos on how to cut a plastic pop bottle up and use it to calm down the waterfall from the filter. I'll give it a try tomorrow. Thanks again!
 
I also have a half hex tank, but mine is a 6 gallon one, I also have the 5/15 gal filter. All i did was put two plastic plants in there, one in front of the filters out put to clam down the current and one on the opposite side for shelter from the current. The betta loves it. I donno if others would approve of it but it works fine for me he looks verry happy. Hope it helps and good luck.
-shoe
 
Oh, do share the link! I'm having a similar, if not so pronounced problem with my new betta. He certainly has places to hide from the current and he can get around the tank with seemingly no problems, but I haven't heard of this pop bottle thing. :eek:

As I was reading around the forum I found that some people found their bettas acclimated to the flow and eventually got strong enough to be happy, although I think I would still prefer him not to have to go through too much stress.
 
i believe aquatech's smaller HOB's have a feature where you can lift the intake tube slightly and decrease the overall volume of output.
 
I had that very problem. I had my betta in a 2 gal tank. He was not happy I think because it was too small. So I upgraded to a 10 gal. I also bought him a gold mystery snail to become his friend. I have the Red Sea Deco art nano filter (designed for a max 3 gal tank) for my 10 gal, since it's just them, and they aren't very messy, its working out great so far.
 
Thanks again everyone. I did the soda bottle trick. It was sooooo easy and it works like a charm. I absolutely recommend it for anybody having a similar problem. Its PERFECT now. I'm happy that I didn't have to buy another filter. And my betta is happily swimming across the tank without being blown back!!!
 
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