Filter too powerful?

[staredecisis]

I have a 5.5 gallon tank, with a divider down the center. I have 1 Betta in each side, and I'm using an external Top-Fin power filter 10. It is for up to a 10 gallon tank. I figured this would be fine, but when I switched it on, my betta on the side of the divider with the filter on it, can no longer just float in place. It seems the current is maybe too strong, if he just relaxes he is slowly sucked over to the filter. It also seems the pores in the divider may not be allowing enough waterflow, because the betta on the other side of the divider seems to be completely unaffected, so there is possibly no current or water cycling on that side? What is the best way to filter this setup? Any recommendations for smaller, less powerful filters, that would still be able to filter through the divider?

 

[Redmalebetta]

Hi,

I'd recommend that you look into a sponge filter, with an air pump to run it.

My small sponge filter does not disturb my 2.5 gallon Betta tank much at all.
Look for a small, quiet, air pump and a two-way gang valve--to allow you to bleed off air--and thus adjust the filters bubble rate to your liking.

You could even get two sponge filters, one for each side of the 5.5 gal. tank, and run them off the same air pump.
That would give each side of your tank a filter. Get a 3-way gang valve in that case, to allow for adjustment of excess air flow.