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I have a 5 gallon hex tank that came with a Bio Wheel filter in the hood and am planning on putting one male Betta in there.

Should I worry about the intake on the filter near the fins? I don't have the fish yet, so I'm not sure what kind of tail I'll end up with, but assuming I have a big flow-y one, should I get a sponge or a grate or something around the intake?

Thanks for any advice!

Melissa

putting a sponge around it might be best. if the filter has a setting mode then low should be fine.

You could just omit the filter all together, as you'll find one Betta might tolerate it as another would dislike it. I've found that doing weekly water changes is the best method for keeping Bettas. A 50-75% water change every week would be acceptable. Good luck in your decision.




BTW if you do decide to use the filter you were given, put it on the lowest possible setting and wrap womens hosiery around the intake with a rubberband should prevent any problems.

Boy alot of edits! Just also wanted to say....Welcome to FP.
Last edited by Jessnick at 16-Feb-2005 16:53

Last edited by Jessnick at 16-Feb-2005 16:54

Last edited by Jessnick at 16-Feb-2005 17:10

I would not worry.

I have my Betta in an Eclipse Explorer 2, which has the exact same filtration system as the Eclipse Hex 5 kit (same flow rate - 35gph). THe flow rates on the filter are not adjustable, but they do not put out that much current at all, and my Betta has not had any issues for the 6 months he has been in there.

I do not use any sort of nylon or sponge on the intake strainer as was suggested, but it's an option if it's a concern.

Many many thanks for helpful input....

I think I'll try the filter for awhile and then try without the filter for awhile and see if the fishy seems to care one way or the other.

My instinct with the filter intake was that it would be ok with the fins - thanks for confirming Andy. I am going to get a nylon of some sort anyhow to test the things I put in the tank for scratchy-ness (I'm not the kind of girl who has nylons sitting around) so I'll probably try putting some on the intake anyway just for fun, but I don't think the current it makes is very strong.

I keep wandering in stores, looking at all the Bettas to try to think of what kind I will get. I have to say it is really really sad the conditions some of them are in, and in about 1/2 the stores I've seen with Bettas there is at least one dead one. It seems like we have some kinds of laws to prevent cruelty to dogs and cats, but not so for fish. It breaks my heart.

Anyway, so as not to end on a totally depressing note I will say that I will give a happy home to at least one, and I have found a store that has TONS of Bettas and with all different kinds of tails and not a dead one among the lot - so I will be buying from them.

There is one store that is also excellent (I'm buying a Panda goldfish from them) that doesn't have many Bettas but they are on the wall in these cups that have a constant drip of water going into them and a little drain - so that there is no current but a continuous sort of partial water change happening. Needless to say they, also, all seemed happy and healthy.

Thanks again hugely for perspectives and advice,

Future Betta owner, Melissa

I also have the eclipse explorer kit, the 2 gallon one, with the same sort of filter in the hood. I have used the tank for bettas with the filter on with no problems. It really depends on the betta though, the betta I have in the tank right now is very fussy about current ao I'm using it without the filter. I just have an airstone running in there and do large water changes weekly. Honestly the best advice I can give is to try it out and see how the betta does with it.

Personally I have never used anything on filter intakes for bettas, in 10 years of keeping them or so I have never had one get stuck on the intake tube or anything. Has anyone actually had this happen?

I have had one betta that I can remember that scared me by coasting right up to the intake tube and sitting on it on purpose. (Basically stuck to it from the side) The first time I saw him do it, i ran to the tank to "rescue" him but as soon as I got close he dislodged himself and swam off. He did this a few times, eventually I just figured he must have been enjoying himself and ignored it.

Honestly with the amount of suction those little filters in the small eclipse systems have, I would be very surprised if it was too much for a betta to swim away from. It would have to be a really weak and/or stupid fish. :%)