Best hood and filter for possible betta fish?

[foxgirl158]

This is just a possibility at the moment, but someone in my area is selling a betta fish in a 1g tank for $10. A different person is selling an almost fully kitted out 20g for $25, just needs a hood and filter. I would like to try to rescue this betta and rehome him in the 20g. Best cheap-ish recommendations?

 

[OliveFish05]

This is just a possibility at the moment, but someone in my area is selling a betta fish in a 1g tank for $10. A different person is selling an almost fully kitted out 20g for $25, just needs a hood and filter. I would like to try to rescue this betta and rehome him in the 20g. Best cheap-ish recommendations?

Bettas don’t care for high flow filtration, so an air pump and sponge filter would be a good choice! I wouldn’t expect it to cost over $15. A good hood for a betta would be a glass top. You will either need a 24 inch (20 tall) or a 30 inch (20 long). Should be about $18.

 

[Lajos_Detari]

Sorry, I re-edit my post after realizing that you're living in a temperate country where the air inside your house can be cold during winter.
But if you have heaters to heat up the air inside your house, probably it should be fine for ideas 1), 2) and 3).

But if your house doesn't have heaters to heat up the air, then it's better to have a glass or acrylic sheet that can cover up the top of the tank.(idea 4).
If I'm not wrong, the air temperature above the surface of the water shouldn't be too much different from the water temperature during the winter for fish that need to breathe from the surface of the water(Bettas, Gouramis).

1)If you can keep the water level at around 8cm below the rim, probably you don't need to have a hood.
2)For cheapest method, you can get some thicker plastic sheets that are used for craft works but may need to put a weight on top.
3)Another method is to use a net/plastic mesh to cover.

4)Lastly, if you can get some acrylic sheets or a glass top from the fish shops will be the best.
Some shops may carry the plastic hood but usually they are only available in some standards sizes and they are not cheap.

For filtration, a slow flow rate hang on filter or a sponge filter are ok.
For hang on filter, probably a flow rate of about 3-4 times the volume of the tank.
Example: For a 20 gallon tank, flow rate: 60-80 gallons per hour.(240-320 liter per hour).

By the way, make sure that the Betta doesn't carry any disease.
It's difficult to treat disease and it may cost you more to buy the medications.

 

[foxgirl158]

I definitely need a standard hood, as I have two mischievous cats who will definitely get into a open or not completely closed off tank. Thank you both for the options though! It seems like my parents want me to "prove" that I can take care of the tanks I have first, even though I test once a week and do a water change almost every weekend so if I do end up getting the Betta it will probably have to be a 10g tank instead as they won't let me get a 20g

 

[Lajos_Detari]

I think it can be difficult to buy separate hood.
I think the best is to buy a tank that come with the hood in my opinion.
For Betta, 10gallons is more than enough.

If you get a 20gallons, don't get Betta.
Get other more peaceful fish that can be mixed with other schooling fish.

 

[Lajos_Detari]

By the way, you can also consider an internal filter.
Get one that suits your tank size. Most filters are rated for the tank size.

If not, get one with a flow rate of 3-4 times the volume of your tank if you are keeping Betta.

For most/majority of fish, I usually get a filter with flow rate of 4-5/5-6 times the volume of my tank.

If you use a hang on filter, you may have to modify/cut the hood.
So, I guess you have to check the hood first before getting a hang on filter.
For hang on filter, you will also have to cover the intake tube with sponge to prevent the Betta from being sucked by the filter especially for Betta with long tail and fins.

But it will be better to get a short fins and tail Betta.
Long fins and tail Bettas are prone to fins and rots disease which are caused by bacteria.
You may have hard time treating this disease.

Let me know if you have further questions.
Feel free to ask.