Questions about filtration in small tanks

[Haiku]

First of all, forgive me if this has all been covered before. I am doing forum searches but either I get so many hits that I can't read through all of it, or I get no hits because of the particular wording, or the hits I do get don't answer my specific question. I've found tons of information since I was referred to this site, but I feel like the more I read and learn, the more questions spring up!

This is the first time I've kept bettas in aquariums with filters instead of bowls/critter habitats. I have an Eclipse tank with Biowheel filtration and a Minibow with whisper filter (set on low). I have to admit, it bothers me to see them struggling with the current, especially Orion in the Eclipse tank (the current seems stronger). Bettas kept in smaller containers such as 1 gallons don't always have filtration, and I know those of you who keep LOTS of bettas would never have enough outlets to plug everything in. So my first question is this:

*Is using a filter always necessary in anything over 1 gallon? If you did more frequent water changes rather than run a filter, would this be ok, or does it bring on too many other complications and/or stress?

Next question

*The filter in my Eclipse 3 system seems pretty strong compared to the whisper filter in the Minibow. Is this something he will adjust to or will constantly fighting it stress him and wear him out? Should I consider getting something like another whisper filter to replace the Eclipse system? He really seems to be fighting it a lot.

And finally:

*Do different brands of test kits to test ammonia and/or nitrite levels have varying levels of accuracy? Does anyone have a recommended brand to use, test strips or the water testing kits with test tubes and reagents?

That's all I can think of right now (I'm sure I'll think of more ) ). Thank you for putting up with my newbieness and helping me to become better educated in order to give my guys the best quality of life possible. Also feel free to simply link me to appropriate explanations if you know where they are

 

[SRC]

#1. Get you a piece of filter foam..they sell it at Walmart and LFSs and cut a slit in the middle of it and stick it on your intake tube..that should slow your current down tremendously. (if the piece if too big, and you happen to have an electric knife or can borrow one..it cuts foam like butter lol)

#2. I like Aquarium Pharmacuticals brand Test kits. They are Cost efficient and work great. You can find them online at www.thatpetplace.com for a really good price, sometimes they have sales on them too.

 

[Haiku]

Thanks very much for the tips. I've been taking in so much information the past week that sometimes I feel my head will explode!

I did think of another question I had. Do you, or anyone else out there, know if tap water typically has some level of ammonia in it to begin with? We have a water softener as well, and I have been unsure if that is a bad or a good thing.

 

[AlexsDaddy]

Like city tap water? Mine has low levels of ammonia so I use ammo lock as a conditioner. It takes care of the ammonia in the tap water, and also takes care of the ammonia produced by the break down of the cloramines.