binskiboi

Hi I'm currently activiely using my 30 gallon with a spare 10 gallon to the side. Do betta's require filters and heaters? i would rather use my 10 gallon for a group of tiger barbs or neons but if i must or is highly recommended to keep a betta in a tank with a filter then i will. please reply.


P.S. i also saw these really cool small boxes with a little self for rocks with cool different backroudns at the petstore that i found interesting

Willis81

yes bettas require a filter and a heater

hooxeii

It depends on how often you want to do water changes. With a filter you can do a partial change weekly, but depending on the size of the non-filtered tank you might have to do changes as often as once a day. If it's a bigger tank with no filter, I think the changes can be less... I ave done both with great success. My first ever betta lived for 1.5 years without one.

If you're torn between the two things, I'd invest in a heater first. It's more important that the water temp be A) high enough for a betta, and B) constant. Temp changes stress fish, as do low temps. This can lead to illness. Is the temp in the room with the betta very stable, and what is it?

binskiboi

why does 90% of betta owners not use one then?
betta was my first fish no filter 1 lived for 8 years the other 5 years xD

Tony G.

Yes, they need a filter and a heater. Here is our betta care sheet:
Important Betta Topics - Read First!

Willis81

IMO i think they should have a filter

thorpbrian

The same reason about 75% of goldfish die a slow death in bowls or overcrowded tanks, because people don't know any better.

Tony G.

Are you sure 8 years? betta's lifespan is between 3-4 years

Also, one thing is surviving, and the other one is thriving. You see, A betta can survive in a bowl... with no filtration.. but is it really healthy? are his fins healthy? does he swim alot? Most likely not. If you read the link i provided above you will understand where I'm coming from.

hooxeii

The above posts are correct. Unless you are religious about your water changes, and let's face it... no one is perfect... you are better served with a filter. Do you know about the nitrogen cycle? This site has a wonderful guide to cycling a tank, which you should read if you're getting a filter... and well, just because it's important to know.

There are some really nice, inexpensive filters that won't bother the bettas and will provide good filtration. I recommend sponge filters

aquarist48

Hello Binski. A heater is also recommended to avoid temperature fluctuations. Temperature fluctuations is one of the main causes of ICH, along with stress.
Ken

Martinismommy

Bettas can live in an unfiltered tank if you are commited to doing water changes every other day......Most people are not going to do that.....As far as a heater, I have to say yes unless your house is at 78 degrees year round which most peoples aren't.....It's just easier and safer to keep them in a heated, filtered tank....But what do I know lol

Mystic54

I have a divided 5.5 gallon tank for my betta girls and I had to get a HOB filter because the ammonia wouldn't go away (even with weekly water changes) I would have probably had to do daily water changes just to keep their water ammonia free. And I did daily water changes till the tank was cycle, let me tell you, its not fun. They also have a heater set to 78F.

COBettaCouple

Bettas are like every other tropical fish - a filter and heater are needed to help bring stability and proper water conditions to the closed system of an aquarium. I wouldn't put a betta or any other fish in an aquarium without a reliable heater and a good filter.