Best filter for 5.5g

Hey all! So I have a 5.5g that's currently a hospital tank for 1 of my shrimp.

Eventually I want to turn this into a betta tank since I have a 10 gallon QT already.

My issue is... the topfin internal 10 filter was horrible. I bought a Tetra whisper 10I and I liked it at first... my issue is that the filter cartidges are too much and the filter is overflowing from the top (there's no lid). And because of this, it overflowed over the clip holding it to the tank and onto the floor... it was fine for days... so now I'm upset by it.

I'm looking for a good HOB that is not too powerful for a betta in a 5.5 and hopefully something that has a flow adjuster. I want to switch this filter out ASAP before another leak happens or the filter just overflows which defeats its purpose.

 

I personally like marineland bio-wheel filters. They recently came out with a smaller model.....smaller than their previous smallest. It is a marineland 75 instead of the 100. And I think it is a great filter for a 5 gallon tank.

it doesn't have an adjustable flow though.....but it might not be too much for the betta though. Especially if it is all the way on one side of the tank. Then the other side of the tank won't have as much flow going on. I don't know. I have two of those filters on a couple of my smaller tanks. But they aren't betta tanks....so I can't say for sure if it would end up being too much flow for a betta.

 

You could get a aquaclear I have 2 40/70 gph on my 50 gal. I love them

 

You could get a aquaclear I have 2 40/70 gph on my 50 gal. I love them

Those ones do have adjustable flow I believe....so that would be nice. but the smallest one they make is for 5-20 gallons and is 100 GPH. So even at the lowest setting, it might put out more flow than a marineland 75 which is 75 GPH.

I agree that aquaclears are great filters!! But I am not sure even the smallest one would be best on a 5 gallon betta tank. But I could be totally wrong!! I personally think it would just be too powerful.

 

The ones I have are not as powerful as you think. On the highest setting of course my fish are blown away from it but on the lowest setting they can swim threw it with ease. I guess its better to have more filtration than less. You could put extra media in it so it slows down the flow more. The media slows it down enough I would think that a betta could swim easily

 

The ones I have are not as powerful as you think. On the highest setting of course my fish are blown away from it but on the lowest setting they can swim threw it with ease. I guess its better to have more filtration than less. You could put extra media in it so it slows down the flow more. The media slows it down enough I would think that a betta could swim easily

I have 3 aquaclear filters. A 70 and two 50s. But I have them on a 55 gallon and a 46 gallon. And you are using yours on a 50 gallon.

a 5 gallon tank is very small....in comparison to our tanks. So I have a feeling that even with the smaller model filter, the flow will be quite a bit more than what we see in our large tanks.

Maybe someone with a 5 gallon betta tank with an aquaclear will come along and let us know how it works! LOL

 

Lol yes that would probably be best LOL

 

I have an aquaclear 30 on my 10 gallon QT. I like the filter, however, I'm terrified that its not self priming. I'm so nervous the power will go out and fry the motor. I'll look into the marineland one though. I think I saw a teeny filter made by finnex? I stumbled upon it when searching for lights. Anyone ever try it?

 

You have to add water into the filter before turning it on there will be a little bubble where water hasnt reached in the intake tube but after a few days it will go away