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Don't get me wrong I love being able to have a happy fish in only a 2 gallon bowl, thats whats great about bettas BUT he could be happier. Right now there is no heater (still summer though) and zero filtration. I do a 100% water change every 3-5 days. Red Sea makes something called a Nano Filter and I'm thinking I'll try it for 7$ but I have my doubts. I want to be able to take my tank to college in the fall, meaning the smaller the better. But I don't want a betta if I cant make him happy. Thoughts?

Just curious, what makes you think he's unhappy? Is he eating, have good color, making bubble nests?

I think the majority of us who keep bettas in small tanks like yours don't use filters and do frequent water changes. I've never heated my betta tanks but WalMart does sell an inexpensive heater for small tanks (under 5g I believe).

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

I have that filter. It was too loud for my taste and seemed kinda cheap. I would look at these if I were you. The flow control on its lowest setting is only 2 gph.
http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/F30/Class/Fish+Supplies+Submersible+Filters/T1/F30+0062+0284/Itemdy00.aspx

It's not that he is definitely unhappy its just that I really want to make the best home I can for this betta since its the only pet I'm gonna be allowed to keep while at college. He seems happy but thats probably because his previous home was a 2 in. diameter cup. Anyways I still planned on changing the water 2 times per week even with the filter. However, I just got the filter and it was everything that Jubilee said it was. Jubilee, do you have one of those fully submersible filters because I was looking at them when I was at That Pet Place in Lancaster and I just couldnt get passed the fact that it has to go in my tank, which is only 1.66 gallon. It may very well be the answer though.

Also while I was at That Pet Place I was contemplating a slightly bigger home for my betta. Does anyone have one of those Eclipse Explorers? I think they are about 2 gallons in volume and they have a filter built into the hood? Any thoughts on that idea?

The eclipse explorer would be good, as long as the filter doesnt cause too much of a current. My cousin has a 2.5 gal Mini-Bow, and it would be ideal for a betta.

I'll do graffiti,
If you sing to me in French.

If you manage to get the filter right, try cycling the bowl and throwing in a java fern (keep it well trimmed of course) I'de also wonder if a shrimp would be ok in there with the beta for keeping algae at a minumum? Just a couple thoughts on the side for ya

I love minibows... I have the five gallon and the whisper internal filter it comes with is incredibly quiet as well as easily adjustable (four levels of filtration speed, I believe). You can also stick a screw-in fluorescent in the hood, and get a decent amount of light for happy plants.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

the 5g mini bows, are pretty nice tanks, they have good filters, and the lighting is strong enough to grow low light plants, and they are still light enough to carry around if you take out some watter.

i have a small female in one now, desley planted and she loves it.

your betta would thank you forever for one.

Jubilee, do you have one of those fully submersible filters because I was looking at them when I was at That Pet Place in Lancaster and I just couldnt get passed the fact that it has to go in my tank, which is only 1.66 gallon. It may very well be the answer though.

Sorry this is soooo late. I don't have that filter but I want one ASAP. I've tried the Duetto DJ50(the next size up) and it is the quietest filter I have ever heard so I don't think the "mini" would make any sound either.