3G Circle Tank Undergravel Filter and heater Question

I recently acquired a 3.5g Circle tank for my betta (the walmart one that has the tube coming up through the middle and the light is underneath the tank), it only has a undergravel filter (UGF) and a tiny 2in slot cut out in the back for a heater.

My question is how much gravel should I place on top of the UGF? I've read online that 2-3in is the preferred amount of gravel to have for undergravel, but it seems like A LOT of gravel for such a small tank and filter, and there are poop chunks sitting at the top of the gravel that haven't moved in two days so I feel like its not really doing a good job filtering.

Also anybody have any experience with a heater for this tank? I was going to get the submersible Tetra heater from Wal-Mart, but didn't know if this was over kill?

Any recommendations or help is greatly appreciated?

 

I recently acquired a 3.5g Circle tank for my betta (the walmart one that has the tube coming up through the middle and the light is underneath the tank), it only has a undergravel filter (UGF) and a tiny 2in slot cut out in the back for a heater.

My question is how much gravel should I place on top of the UGF? I've read online that 2-3in is the preferred amount of gravel to have for undergravel, but it seems like A LOT of gravel for such a small tank and filter, and there are poop chunks sitting at the top of the gravel that haven't moved in two days so I feel like its not really doing a good job filtering.

Also anybody have any experience with a heater for this tank? I was going to get the submersible Tetra heater from Wal-Mart, but didn't know if this was over kill?

Any recommendations or help is greatly appreciated?

Here is a link explaining how an under gravel filter works:
As far as the heater goes, look at this:
I would like to add that this heater is a little strong for a three gallon tank; however, with proper care you can set the temperature to 78 degrees and shouldn't have any problems.

Someone will disagree...and that's fine. This size works for me. I have tried more 7.5W heaters for my Bettas than I can remember and they were all garbage.

 

A maximum of 2" of gravel in the tank will be fine.
Too much, and you will get an accumilation of ditrius which will poison the water.
As for the poop on the surface of the gravel, just siphon it off with a small gravel vaccum
UGF filters are really an in-efficient way of filtering a tank, and are prone to getting blocked and trapping waste material.
Possibly look into getting a small HOB filter for your tank, which will be a lot easier to maintain and also do a better job of filtering the water

 

A maximum of 2" of gravel in the tank will be fine.
Too much, and you will get an accumilation of ditrius which will poison the water.
As for the poop on the surface of the gravel, just siphon it off with a small gravel vaccum
UGF filters are really an in-efficient way of filtering a tank, and are prone to getting blocked and trapping waste material.
Possibly look into getting a small HOB filter for your tank, which will be a lot easier to maintain and also do a better job of filtering the water

Thanks I was thinking about taking a little bit of gravel out, as for a HOB filter I can't fit it on there there is no where to hang it to.

 

Try a sponge filter:

 

Hello, is this your new tank:



This is the only one I found matching your description. If so, I would consider using a dual sponge filter as suggested. Best of luck.

 

There is also a 3 gallon version of that tank that Walmart carries in store and seems to fit the OP's description the best.

 

There is also a 3 gallon version of that tank that Walmart carries in store and seems to fit the OP's description the best.

You're correct, I copied the wrong link. Thanks.

 

No problem. It looks like the filter setup is the same on both sizes anyway.

 

Hello, is this your new tank:



This is the only one I found matching your description. If so, I would consider using a dual sponge filter as suggested. Best of luck.

Yes this is my tank, just an older version of it, any recommendations for what brand of sponge filters?