Reducing currents for a betta?

O

ozziegt

AC Members
Mar 29, 2005
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My co-worker got a betta as a housewarming gift and doesn't want it. I have a pretty much empty 5 gallon eclipse tank on my dask with nothing but plants, snails and a couple amano shrimp so I said I would take it.

However, I have been told that the current generated by the eclipse filtration system can be too much for a betta. Any suggestions on how to reduce the current? I am thinking about getting some lexan and attaching it to the output of the filter to divert the flow out across the top of the water. That is a little complicated though, so I was hoping for a simpler solution.
 
why don't you try it out and see, for starters? that way if the betta is just fine with the current, you don't have to do anything.

another idea is to cut and fit a clean new filter sponge over the output, that will sufficiently diffuse the flow as well.
 
Just put the betta in and see how it acts.... I upgraded my kids betta's from small 1 gallon to 10g tanks....It took a few days for the betta's to adjust to the current from the filters since they were used to being in the small tanks with just an undergravel type filter. I think the biggest problem is the betta's need to get their muscles built up to handle the current and the added swimming space.....they dont get much exercise in a small tank or cup where they have spent most thier life.
 
I kept a betta in an Eclipse 3 for many years.

I got some fine filter foam, the kind used to "polish" the water, and cut it to a size to fit the section of the Eclipse filter that flows into the biowheel (the section where the carbon filter pack sits). This slowed down the flow just enough for the betta.

Also, the closer you keep the water level to the outflow, the less current there will be.
 
Just an update: he's doing fine with the current. It doesn't seem to be affecting him at all and he's swimming around like the filter isn't even on. It's been 3 days and he seems healthy.

:thumbsup:
 
Cool. Post a pic!
 
I think that they love the flowing water, especially considering what alot of people keep them in. We have a betta in a five gallon with filtration and he seems very happy.
 
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