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I'm contemplating a planted tank for one of my bettas. My dilemma is filtration. UGF + a sponge filter would create the least current and no risk of catching his tail fin. However, I would like to use Eco-Complete Substrate and don't want to plant on top of a UGF.

This will about 5 gallons. I don't want a tank with integrated filter. If the filter goes, the tank has to go. Also, I'm going to likely use a smaller filter like a Whisper Micro. The challenge is how to block the intake so that when he swims by or rests near it, he doesn't get his fins sucked in. I've had this happen with a 3 gallon eclipse. I tried putting mesh around the intake, and it got clogged real fast . Poor fishy had a perpetual shredded tail and it was just too much current for him.

I want the filter to be slow flowing enough as to create dead spots or near dead spots, which is why I'm thinking of this:

[link=http:// www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=12085&Ntt=whisper&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1]http:// www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=12085&Ntt=whisper&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1" style="COLOR: #C000C0[/link]

It has a separate sponge for bio-filtration so when you change the bio-bag, you don't lose all good bacteria.

Thoughts?

*cough* dead link *cough*

I’m a big fan of sponge filters for bettas. You can get one for the corner of the tank and hide it with plants.

Since this is a planted tank carbon is not really needed/wanted, as it will absorb any ferts you may add to the tank. So all you need is mechanical and biological filtration. A sponge filter will provide this nicely. They also create as lil current as possible.

HTH

what sort of mesh did you use? I use tulle on my planted 2' and it doesn't get badly clogged. Failing that, those blue large holed biosponges would work ok.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Well, I have never had a 5 gallon tank and I guess that any filter would make quite a current in a 5 gallon tank... However...

I have one Rena Filstar a bit like this one (http://www.aquaristikshop.com/e_artikel/Rena_Filstar_150.htm). I think this would work for you as you can adjust so the water flow can be really slow by turning this valve on the top left. While other filter which I have used can be adjusted between a given minimum and maximum flow, the minimum of this one means it's completely shut and thus creates no current at all -- and no filtration either, but at least it means you can adjust it to be really slow. Your other problem is that it seems to be only available in Europe... but maybe they also ship it to America. I have a betta in the tank with that filter and it never got its fins sucked into the filter, so I think this (or something like it) is what you're looking for.

On top of that, I use the filter upside down, and with the outlet directed towards the front rather than towards the side. This way it creates dead spots in the tank and less surface agitation. It also makes easier to take out the media cartridge without startling the fish or having all the debris escape the filter back into the water.

If you would like that kind of thing and they do not ship to America, I don't mind helping you by having it shipped to me first and then shipping it to you...

Last edited by untitled at 15-Dec-2004 09:30

what about those Stingray things? do they produce much current? they are nice and compact, but i have never used one so i don't know how much current it makes.

Why not use a halfsize UGF plate on one side for biofiltration and then maybe one of those palm filters on the other side for mechanical?

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Not sure what the stingray thing is - got a link to one?

I wanted to stay clear of UGF because I have read it is not the best for plants. Also, I know that with UGF's you really need to break the tank down yearly. I don't want to get into that and would prefer not to get into reverse flow and so on. I really like the idea of something that I can grab off the back to maintain or grab from within the tank.

I know sponge filters just don't do enough from a mechanical standpoint - it is very limited as they are intended for biofiltration. The water is never as clear with just a sponge filter, otherwise, it would be ideal.

What about this tho [link=Internal Air Filter]http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/internal%2cair%2cfilter/Class//T1/F23+0051+0229/EDP/41435/Itemdy00.aspx" style="COLOR: #C000C0[/link]. I've eyeballed it more than once for a 5 gallon. What I like about it is that it is for less than 10 gallons. It won't create such a current as to suck a bettas tail into the slits, and minimizes surface agitation in contrast to many other filters. Less face it, with a betta I could really go with no filter, but I just think some circulation is better than none.