What filter to use on a 2.5 gal

[Mariah]

Hi,
I was going to buy a mini bow but now I am having second thoughts because it comes with an internal filter and since im going to be dividing it one of my betta will have more current than the other and might not be happy
Sooooo.... I am thinking of just spliting the two 2.5 gal tanks I have right now and adding an outside filter.
Which filter do you recamend for that small of a tank?
Thanks

 

[sandig]

I use a filter called small world in my 2.5 gal. It has charcoal on the top portion and a white sponge type thing on the bottom half.

Sandi

 

[Mariah]

Hey,
Thats actually what Im using right now in my 2.5 gallons but im finding that its not really doing that great of a job How often do you change the filter and how often do you do 100 % water changes and half water changes?
Thanks

Edit - I have a valve on the airhose to control how much bubbles comes out too... If its at high my bettas dont like it but when its low there fine but again I say its not doing that great of a job.

 

[Mariah]

Anyone?

 

[OohFeeshy]

Why do you particularly want a filter anyway? TBH they are too much hassle, its just as easy doing 100% water changes. The current tends to blow the betta around too and can prevebt bubblenesting.

 

[afireinside]

i'm ordering this 2.5 mini bowl outa drsfostersmith catolog. it's really nice. it has a filter built right in, and you can choose what color for only $30 (american dollars). then it comes with a divider so i can get two more bettas, ya!

 

[50000_tears]

i dunno i think the small world one is bad . it is a pain to keep buying replacement filter cartridges.

 

[sandig]

I use the small world one most of the time. My guy, Flappy, who is in there seems to have perpetual fin rot (minor) and having the filter seems to keep his water cleaner. I still do 100% water changes every 3 days. I put a valve on it so the bubbles are small and not a lot of current. I change it out every 4-6 weeks (when it looks dirty).

Sandi

 

[SRC]

I have a divided minobow and use the filter that came with it. I just stuffed some filter foam inside the intake tube and it doesn't let as much water flow thru as fast...so the guy on the output end isn't getting blown away. Has been working fine so far for us.

You could also get a Whisper 5 gallon filter and make you a lid out of 1/4" plexiglass (cost you about $10 at Home Depot for the plexi and $4 for a plexiglass cutter). The Whisper has a dial so you can turn the flow down as you choose.

Or you could go no filter...works very well if you keep your water changes up..I'd suggest no gravel though..get's hectic with no filter..and can scratch up your acrylic during WC's.

 

[Mariah]

SRC - The mini bow you have is it the 2.5 gallon one? If so is the filter a internal filter? Is your tank divided? If so how does the betta whos on the filter side react to the current? Because if you say your tank is split and your bettas are ok I might get one....

Sandiq - I have 2 of thoese small world filters in both my 2.5 gallon tanks. Is does keep the water clean but I find if I dont do a 100 % change every 2 weeks the water smells as well as a 50% change every week. Also I find that I have to replace the filter every 2-3 weeks because it looks dirty (the sponge is all brown )

OohFeeshy - The reason I want a filter is because im going to be going away to college in September and my parents are going to be the ones looking after all my bettas (15 of them) and its to much work for them to be doing so many water changes all the time. Thats why i am going to be splitting my current 2.5 gallon tank and adding a filter so that should help them out abit I think. What does TBH stand for?

I bought a whisper outside filter to see how that works in my 2.5 gallon tank. What do you guys think about that?

Thanks for all the reasponces so far Keep them coming!!

 

[Karah's_Mommy]

I would try out the new filter, and see what kind of output it has. If it has a current control switch on it, put it towards the lowest. Also, if you put your water level right below the outake, the current is weaker. If you feel comfortable, give it a try with maybe just one betta in the tank to see if he can handle the current. If he does well, then divide it and see how it goes that way. I have filters in all of my betta tanks and would recommend them. But, if it seems like your betta can't handle or doesn't like the current, you'll have to find another way.

 

[Mariah]

Karahs mommy - It does have a control that controls the current. I am going to give it a shot and see how my bettas like it. What size tanks do you have your bettas in and what typr of filters do you use?

I am very intrested to hear about the 2.5 mini bow with the internal filter with 2 bettas in it....

 

[Karah's_Mommy]

Mine are all in 5 gallons divided in 2 with whisper internal filters turned to almost the lowest setting. The tanks are cycled though so I vacuum weekly and do a 25% water change.

 

[Mariah]

Karahs mommy - Hmmm a 5 gal mini bow.... That might be an idea Im just concerned about not having enough room. I think I would only have room for the 2.5 mini bow.
Do you ever have to completly take ALL the water out of the tank because it smells?
Awww! Im so confused!

 

[AlexsDaddy]

I use the duetto 50 by marineland on my 2.5 gal tank and 5 gal divided tank. It has a waterfall feature so you can take the directional output attachment off, put the included waterfall attachment in it's place and put a tube on the waterfall attachment, then put the output of the tube in the opposite side of the one that the filters on. That's what I did with my divided 5 gal. There's no surface movement and virtually no current. With the output being on the opposite side of the filter it draws water through the divider back to the filter on the other side so you still get good water circulation. Pics below. The tubing I used wasn't quite big enough so I had to put a slit in it and tie wrap it on, then silicone it so it didn't leak. It's not very pretty looking, but hey it does the job.

Edited to add: the filter is adjustable output too. I forgot to mention that.