Heather M

I will be setting up my first tank soon. I am going to get a tank to house a betta (and possibly a few betta-compatible fish later). It will either be a 5 or 10 gallon tank. I need a super quiet filter because it's going to be in my bedroom, and noise really drives me crazy when I'm studying or trying to sleep. It needs to be as inexpensive as possible. I'm 16 and don't have a job, so I don't have a lot of money on hand. And, of course, I want a filter that will do its job and keep my fish healthy and the water clear. It would be great if I could find a filter that meets the above specifications and goes inside the tank so I can put everything against the wall and bolt the stand to the wall to avoid knocking it over. Any suggestions? Thanks!!!

peacemaker92

Hi Heather.

I don't really know many filter brands which are selling in the US. You can look up ebay for some filters or maybe Drs Foster & Smith in the link provided below. Good luck on the filter hunt and hopefully other members can swing by fast to help you out. Good luck!

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/fish-s..._-Text_General

aquarist48

Hello HeatherM. Hope you're doing well. I don't have personal experience with them but if you'll do a search at the top right hand side of this screen for internal filters you'll find some information there. Too, Have you checked the "reviews" section of the forum?
Best of luck.
Ken

Mystic54

If you decide to get a 5 gallon tank you could get this filter:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...21&pcatid=9821
I have the same one in my bedroom for my betta tank and its super quiet.

For a 10 gallon tank I would recommend aquaclear filters. I have an aquaclear for my 20 gallon and all you hear from it is a slight humming.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...10&pcatid=3610

Heather M

How quiet do you consider super quiet? How long have you had it? Have you ever had problems with it? How often are you supposed to replace the filter pads? Thanks!

mr.fishy

Hey if you're looking for a queit filter you should get an internal power filter. that way the filter is fully underwater and the sound should be a lot less and you don't have to worry about the splashing water sound.

Here is an internal power filter--->

http://www.aquariumguys.com/fluvalinternal1.html

Also if you have the room you should get the 10 gallon tank. You will have more room with your tank and I noticed 10 gallons are actually cheaper than 5 gallons because 10 gallons are so common.

omnitheforsaken

I don't think a filter can get any quieter than an Aquaclear filter. I swear I kept checking mine for the first few days because I thought it wasn't working until the evaporation lowered the water level enough for me to hear the waterfall.

omnitheforsaken

That's probably a good option but they do take up valuable space in the tank. It's actually what I started out with (different brand though).

Red1313

For quite you can't beat a sponge filter... however a quite air-pump can be tricky. One tip for keeping filter's quite is to keep the water level as high as possible. In my old fish tank if the water isn't up to the lip of the filter the sounds drives me insane...

Mystic54

The only sound I hear from it is a slight hum, but I took the lid off of mine because with the lid on it does rattle it a little. I've had it for a couple weeks, no problems so far. Filter pads I believe are changed once a month, but I guess it depends on how many fish you have in the tank.

Everyone else's suggestions about the internal filters are good too. I'm about to buy the whisper filter for my other 5 gallon, but the reason I bought the filter in the link was because I have limited space in that tank and didn't want the filter taking up a whole lot of room.

aquarist48

Hello Heather. If you're considering a Hang on Back (HOB) then I have to recommend the Aqua Clear (AC) as well. I don't hear mine and I have to check it to make sure it's running (and it is)
Ken

speed0factory

the hang on back filter which Ken recommened is one of the best.

Remember to fill your tank up to the filter, where the water started to get contact with this way will reduce alot of noise, which is produced by the waterfall effect.

Heather M

Can these filters be adjusted some how? The smallest one I found is rated for 20g and below, and I thought that would be a bit much for a 5g (or am I wrong?) unless the power is adjustable. Thanks!

aquarist48

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=9821
Hello Heather. The above link may be a filter you might be interested in for a 5g tank. I've never used it before so I don't know how quiet it is.

The Aqua Clears do have a flow control. However, I'm not certain if the flow would still be too strong for the Betta or not. Let's see what some others have to say.
Ken

I removed your deleted posts to save some space.
Thanks!

Heather M

I think I might go with the 10g after all. I'm very indecisive at this point. I went ahead and got my betta, Lord Nelson, who happens to be my avatar photo. My uncle was going to build me a stand for my tank. I was thinking of having him build a stand that could accommodate my 20g and the 5g or 10g I will get soon. I have fallen in love with Lord Nelson and now I'd like as many fish as I can fit into my room. (I think I've been bitten by the MTS bug. )

So, my real question: If I decide to go with the 10g, will the flow from the aqua clear be too much for my betta?

metal_fish

The Aqua Clear 20 will be fine for the 10 gallon, the betta will enjoy the current it produces with the space in the 10, If it seems to much you can adjust it.

harpua2002

I use an Aquaclear 20 in a 5.5 gallon tank for my betta, Cowboy. It's too strong when it's running at full flow, but I turned it down all the way and it's perfect for him.