filters

[newbie_alicia]

Since bettas are labyrinth fish and can breath from the air would it be better to not have a filter? Would it just cause excess water movement? Or would it be healthier to have a filter?

 

[SPLiSH]

I don't use filters in either of my bettas tanks. I find that, yes, they hate the stronger current. Even if you 'turn down' the current it still annoys them as they can't build bubblenests properly. A bettas fins' are like a wedding dress... long and flowing: they'd be really hard to drag around originally, withought having to fight a current.

Everyone has different experiences with filters and bettas. My opinion is, unless it's a big tank and small regular water changes are impractical, a filter isn't worth the fuss. As long as you keep up with maintainence you shouldn't need one.

 

[newbie_alicia]

Thanks, I guess I'll just stick to not using a filter

 

[SPLiSH]

You're welcome. How big is the tank though?

 

[FishEnthusiast]

I don't use filters on anything smaller than 5g. I have 2 divided 10g tanks. They are both filtered. I originally didn't have a filter on one of them, but I found it takes way too long to drain a 10g 100% every week. Now I just do 25-50% every week. It works much better. I did "kill" the current using a piece of the back of the hood that you break out when you put the filter in. I just taped it to the hood, sticking in the water. It keeps the flow from bouncing the fish around.

There is a post in the DIY section on making a current killer using a pop bottle. I have heard that is effective.

 

[newbie_alicia]

It is a ten gallon tank.

it takes way too long to drain a 10g 100% every week

I thought you just do 10% water changes? You drain them 100%?

 

[FishEnthusiast]

When there is no filter, you have to change all their water. There is nowhere for the bacteria to build up effectively enough to cycle the tank. If it is 10G I would really suggest a filter. I have used bubble filters in a 10g turned way down using a gang valve. I still did 75% changes though, I felt they weren't doing a very good job.

Good luck in what you decide.

 

[Bloo]

In a 10 gallon you are definitely better off having a filter. You can easily break the current. The tank is large enough not to cause current issues - as long as you buy a filter that's suited for 10 gallons and not for instance a filter for a 20 gallon tank.
With that you can then do a 10 - 20% weekly water change.

 

[newbie_alicia]

Okay thanks for the info