Cheap, small filter for 3 gallon betta tank?

Recently had to bring my boy home due to complications with his main 5.5 gallon at school. I want to make it as easy on my family as possible and invest in a small filter for his 3 gallon he used to live in. Ideally one that is internal since there's a lid on the tank without many cutouts, noise is also a factor since my dad is a light sleeper. Anywhere below $20 is fine for me, I plan on going to Petsmart sometime later today

 

Does your Petsmart sell sponge filters? I personally like those for bettas in small tank though the sound of the bubbles popping and burbling at the surface might drive your dad around the bend

I know there are small HOB filters out there but whether your store carries them I don't know. I've seen them online but I can't get as many things here as you can in the US.

Just checked the US Petsmart website and how about the Tetra Whisper 3i? The only other small one I might consider is the Marineland Penguin 100 but it would probably need some serious baffling on a 3 gallon tank

 

My website shows me that they don't. I was looking at the Tetra Whisper 3I but read it only worked good for a month or so. I guess since it's cheap I could just invest in that so it'll be easier on them. The Marineland Penguin looks nice. I see they have a 75 model built for 10 gallons so maybe I could pick that up instead and then use that as the secondary filter to my 20 long when that gets set up. Only issue is, my critter keeper 3 gallon has this weird lid so it can't really fit a huge filter under there so I might have to grab the tetra. I'd love for my mom to let me go grab a 10 gallon at petco but I know i'd be in trouble if I did that haha

 

A cheap air pump and a small air driven filter, usually sponge filter will work awesome in a 3. You may be able to spend around 10 bucks... or buy at a local tropical fish club auction (last one I seen sold for two dollars).

Don't over think it... just get filtration going.

 

If you have a little bit of time, a water bottle, an air pump and scissors you could just pick up some filter floss and ceramic noodles and make your own!

 

Most likely going to buy a 10 gallon when I go (going to petco now instead). She's not really telling me yes or no on if I can so that gives me more options. I can always just prime in the Marina S15 I have on his tank at school for $8 so maybe I'll do that? Or I'll just go and see what I can find. This has been quite the past few days haha

 

Does your PetSmart have a discount section? Mine does and I've found some fantastic deals on opened packages and stuff

 

Maybe I'll stop at both then! I did want to take a look at the fish in Petsmart to get an idea of pricing for later on when I set up the 20 long. I know they did leave their $1 per gallon sign up after their sale which is how I got my 20 long in the first place lol so I'll just go there first

 

Okay I bought a 10 gallon and AquaClear 20. Unfortunately i'm having trouble getting the Aquaclear started. I hear the motor moving but it's not pulling up any water.

edit: nevermind! I figured it out. I'll post pictures in a little while i'm acclimating him now.

 

Try a Internal Filter 3-in-1 Multi-Function Pump 80gph made by sunsun and only $6,74 with the sponges, And free freight. Or a sunsun 602 canister filter, it will work on a 5 gallon down $17.69 . for tanks around 10 gallons use a 603B for $25.95, all these filters I've used myself, and they are very quite. They are all sold on ebay by, CLL Pet Supplies