to filter or not to filter

[Kaida]

Okay peoples, a small tank with one male betta in it... does it need filtering? I can change the water as often as necessary. I have read that they prefer not, because of preferring still water, but I'm no expert, so I thought I'd come to the people who are

Also, heating. What is their preferred temperature? And this is going to sound odd, but is it possible to get a battery operated heater? (told you it would sound odd!)

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

Lucy

 

[Naughtygirlrlw]

How small of a tank? If it's 1 - 2.5 gallons you really don't have to have
a filter in there as long as you're doing 100% water changes once a week.
They do bubblenest more when there is no filter, however mine seem to like to
"spa" in their filters It all depends on what you prefer.

 

[boxman]

I have a Rio 90 in my betta tank - you can adjust the flow - he seems happy enough!

I've got my tank at about 25-27oC.

I don't like using air pumps as I find them too noisy. I would avoid disturbing the surface as bettas seem to feed better when their food is still or moving slowly - they're not keen on chasing wizzing food!!

 

[Siamese Fighter05]

Was just wondering, When you do 100% water changes how do you get the new water the same temp. Im going to divide my rekord 60 into three and heat it but go without a filter. I only have two heaters and the other is in the 22g. I know that by getting the water ready a day in hand will bring it to room temperature but how do you heat it up to 28degrees. I guess i might just have too add more equipment to the 'to do' list, unless you can give me any ideas?

 

[Kaida]

Would it not stress the fish to be doing 100% water changes? That's what I was always told...

Kaida

 

[lljdma06]

Both of my current tanks have back filters with adjustable flow, to keep the current to a minimum. I have kept bettas without filters as well, and the bubble nests are more frequent when there's no annoying current to destroy all their hard work. It's tricky getting the temperature to match, I had two thermometers of the same make and would tweek with the fresh water until it matched, or was within a degree when I was lazy. But weekly 100% water changes were a pain in the butt when I was taking 22 credit hours as an undergrad, so I opted for filters really fast. I once had a really messy, pooping fool of a betta, (his name was George III, I was real creative with names back then ) who needed 100% once a week and then an additional 30% in between. He was a big pig! He was the one who first got a tank with a filter! I swear he pooped bigger than my Pomeranian!

As far as temperature is concerned, my bettas are kept rather warm because it's been rather warm in IL and running my AC is not cost effective. The temps of both tanks are at around 82, which is too high for my taste, but it should gradually lower as Fall approaches. In winter, I like to maintain a temp of between 78-80 with a heater, but I like my tanks on the warm end. It can be rather humorous when the tank is at 80 and my apartment is at 60! Which happened once last year. Those were the days when I really wished I was a fish and didn't have to deal with outside temperatures of 25 below.

I've rambled on enough, hope this bit of info helps...