Filter vs. No Filter

[cynqueen]

Okay, yes I have been bitten by the betta bug and will be purchasing a minibow (after seeing all the rave reviews for them here). I am not sure if it will be 2.5 or 5 gallon yet (if 5 I will probably divide ... more fishies!!!!!).

I would really like to put a filter & heater in it, but have no idea if the filter is necessary and if so, which filter to buy.

So I am posting it as a poll to see how many of you have filters in your tanks.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Joby]

hmm well I made a mistake and didn't vote, but I wanted to vote that I do have filters in my tanks. Box ones/sponge ones mainly for the bettas but do have some with fluval 1's in there.

 

[AlexsDaddy]

I can't really vote either way cause I use one in some of them, and don't in others. I use a Duetto 50 in my divided 5 gal, and a Duetto mini in the 2.5 I just got. I have the biological filter media from another Duetto 50 soaking in one of my cycled tanks to put in my 2.5 minibow. I like the Duetto 50's and Duetto mini's cause they are smallish, fully submersible, and adjustable flow. The 50's are good for up to 5 gals, and the minis are good up to 10 gals.

 

[DB_Diana_Jack_8]

I have a filter in my 10 gallon, which only has one fish in it at the moment...lol. but anyways, i'm only running the filter a few hours a day because i think the current is too strong(i gotta get that fixed) and i don't wanna have my female stressed out too much. i kinda thought that if it's atleast filtered a few hours a day, then it will keep the gross stuff off the top a little better even if it isn't on all the time. don't really know if that's a good idea or not though.

 

[Bloo]

Box / Sponge ones are probably the best for a small tank, but Hagen does a real cute "mini elite" for up to 5 galons and it's only about 4 inches high.

 

[3fsh]

The mini-bows actually both come with whisper filters. I have three 2.5g mini-bows and what I do is turn the filter to the lowest setting. The bettas absolutely love it! I also have a 1g with a teensy HOB (hang on back) filter that is turned to the lowest setting as well. I have never had any problems with the filters buggin them, and they actually play in the currents from time to time.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Two have no filter, one has an Eclipse Mini, which is a good lil filter. Adjustable, fairly efficient...

 

[daudy_dojo]

you should of made an option for both

cause some i filter and some i dont!

my 2.5G is filtered but not heated

my 1G is neither

my 10G is both!

 

[Saucy]

I have a Whisper 10 in my 5-gal minibow and my 10-gallon sorority. I don't have them in my 3 gallon tanks, though. I do like the filter, though.

 

[OrkyBetta]

Nope. My 10 gal came with one, a penguin mini. I am going to use it when I build my female community tank. But my 30 gallon is just heated, not filtered.

 

[mm_simb]

My 2.5 gallons are not filtered but they are heated with a 25 watt adjustable heater.

 

[daudy_dojo]

30G isnt heated?!?! 0.o


edit: oops ment filtered!

 

[Seahorse]

My 55, 12, 10 and 5 are all filtered! And heated in the winter, but now that summer is here it is nice water.

 

[newfishies]

none of my males' tanks are filtered. the female community is, though. i voted no.

 

[corykitty516]

I use filters and heaters

I've got 2.5 gal minibows that came with whispers but I dont use the ones that came with the tank... Instead I got the deco art red sea (or something or other, they were 7 bucks at Big Al's.com) mini hang on back style filters because they dont take up so much room in the tank. The filter flow is adjustable on these as well but I use a scrap of plastic canvas to sort of dissipate the flow.
My heaters are the 6 watt fixed temp mini heaters from walmart, another 6 or so bucks, which keeps it spot on 78 in my OVERAIRCONDITIONED house (husband keeps it 68 brrrrrr). Here is my obervation about the minibow kits though... the lights get too hot. I use one of those compact flourecent bulbs which is bright light with low voltage and screws into the incandecent fixture so it doesnt get as hot.


I think the primary advantage of a filter is ... well its like having a "safety net" ... Say you have to be out of town for a week... if you have a filter you dont have to explain to some random person how to change the water while you are gone and the water quality will hopefully stay more stable.
all that said... I still do a partial water change once...usually twice a week anyway.