2.5gal Needs A Filter?

[ferco]

hi there, starting to get confused by all the talk on betas can live in waters with 'little or no current' so i wanted to make sure: Do i need a filter for my 2.5 gal tank? im assuming i will need a heater.... thanks in advance

 

[Qays]

hi there, starting to get confused by all the talk on betas can live in waters with 'little or no current' so i wanted to make sure: Do i need a filter for my 5 gal tank? im assuming i will need a heater.... thanks in advance

in my oppinion all tanks need a filter unless your prepared to do a full tank clean out every week.

You can stop the filter current if its too powerful: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=84710

A heater is neccesary, people seem to think bettas dont need heaters because they can live in small tanks?!
Unless you can keep a constant temprature, a heater is neccesary as tempratures fluctuate (sp?) during the night.

A 25watt heater would do well in a 5 gallon

 

[ferco]

sorry, i edited, it's a 2.5 gall. sorry about that

 

[Qays]

sorry, i edited, it's a 2.5 gall. sorry about that

Not sure about a 2.5 gallon really.

A 5gallon can hold a heater and filter, not really sure bout a 2.5

If your prepared to do freq water changes and keep him somewhere with level tempratures, you could do it. i know many people do this!

 

[wendywc]

I would definately add a filter and a heater. You can pick up a simple sponge filter cheaply (like this one) or you can make your own (see the DIY sponge filter thread). For sponge filters, you need need a small air pump and some airline tubing also. And if you ever have fry, sponge filters are safe for them too.

 

[jayjay]

you need a heater unless the room the tank in is at the right temperature and is always steady.

as for a filter, ideally yes, less water changes and so on but betta are often uncomfortable with strong currents so need the filter to have a slower flow there are many ways of doing this most are putting something like a tight over the part where the water comes out as this slows the flow so male betta are better able to build their bubblenest and swim easier. i myself don't have a filter on my slightly smaller 4 gallon tank but the filter will help ith water conditions but is not essitanal you'll just have to do larger more frequent water changes compared to other fish.

also in some of the pinned topics under care for betta's etc. they have sections on filteration for more advice.

i'm using that idea of a sponge filter in under 5 minutes, making it tommorrow thanks alot for that.

hope that helps

 

[Qays]

Yeah, unless your prepared to do a 100% water change every other day

you need a heater unless the room the tank in is at the right temperature and is always steady.

as for a filter, ideally yes, less water changes and so on but betta are often uncomfortable with strong currents so need the filter to have a slower flow there are many ways of doing this most are putting something like a tight over the part where the water comes out as this slows the flow so male betta are better able to build their bubblenest and swim easier. i myself don't have a filter on my slightly smaller 4 gallon tank but the filter will help ith water conditions but is not essitanal you'll just have to do larger more frequent water changes compared to other fish.

also in some of the pinned topics under care for betta's etc. they have sections on filteration for more advice.

i'm using that idea of a sponge filter in under 5 minutes, making it tommorrow thanks alot for that.

hope that helps

the betta in your avatar is really pretty! is it yours?

 

[happyannie]

When you heat a tank that small tho be sure to get a thermometer and keep careful watch on the temps. You don't want to boil him up and that can happen. Sometimes what feels cool or cold, really isn't so best to have an arbitrary means of measurement than just feeling the water.
edited for spullinggg

 

[starrynightxxi]

i have a 2.5 gallon too and i've been wondering about what sort of heater would work for it. i've seen heaters that claim to be good for bowls in petco, but i don't want to boil my fish in the middle of the night or while i'm in class and not there to keep an eye on the temp...

 

[jayjay]

no it's not min, it was one i was after though.

i just got a crowntail yesterday. he's metalic dark blue with mainly red fins.

i'm setting up that DIY filter today. cheers again for the link.

 

[happyannie]

I'm kind of partial to Stealth heaters as you can adjust the temps with the little guage thing. I use a 25W for my 5 gallon and keep an eye on the temp. The cheapie ones don't have the ability to adjust the temp level and I find these pretty reliable and run fairly true to what it's adjusted to. 25W is the smallest one they make from what I know. I wouldn't go any higher in wattage for a small tank. They run about $25 give or take. Worth the extra $10 or $15 for peace of mind. I still check the therm. all the time tho just to be sure.