Eheim 2213 Canister Filter For Betta

hI all,

We got a new betta last week and got him a proper tank yesterday. It’s (if my calculation of its measurements is correct) a 55 gallon tank and came with a eheim 2213. I have never ever used a canister filter before, and have never had a betta in a proper-sized home (know better, do better!), so I’m not sure if this filter is going to disagree with him. I have the spray bar submerged vertically on the left back corner and the intake on the right back corner. We have not introduced SushI to the new tank yet (and now after reading about the nitrogen cycle I’m scared to), so I’m not sure how fast of a flow this thing is for his fins.

I couldn’t find another post on this in the search, so I apologize if I’m asking a repeat question.

Thanks so much!!!

 

A 2213 is pretty undersized for a 55 gallon, are you planing on adding other fish? If not too many then you should be fine, if you are going for a full stock you might need to add another filter. As for the filter and his fins? There should be plenty of dead spots for him to hang around in. I wouldn’t worry too much, you could always drill the holes out in the spray bar if the flow is too strong.

 

A 2213 is pretty undersized for a 55 gallon, are you planing on adding other fish? If not too many then you should be fine, if you are going for a full stock you might need to add another filter. As for the filter and his fins? There should be plenty of dead spots for him to hang around in. I wouldn’t worry too much, you could always drill the holes out in the spray bar if the flow is too strong.

I managed to track down my same tank online and it is a 46g in the end. We are thinking just him and maybe a mystery or apple snail and a bunch of live plants somewhere down the line. I let my husband know we can drill the holes if it seems too strong for him. Thank you so much for your help!!!

 

The 2213 is still undersized for a 46 gallon tank. It puts out 116 gph and a 46 gallon tank should have about 360-460 gph. That would give the recommended 8x-10x flow.

 

Thank you, that’s good to know. I was under the impression it was suitable for up to 66gallons. What filter would you recommend? I think I would rather another canister filter, I already like it better than the power filters.

 

There are plenty to choose from. Sunsun/Polar Aurora are 4 star rated and above and have the best price.

Amazon.com: 370 gph filter

You only need a 370 gph for your 46 gallon tank. Others will chime in here too.

 

There are plenty to choose from. Sunsun/Polar Aurora are 4 star rated and above and have the best price.

Amazon.com: 370 gph filter

You only need a 370 gph for your 46 gallon tank. Others will chime in here too.

Awesome, thank you so much. I think the next purchase we get for the tank will be the 9w sunsun 4-stage canister

 

Honestly, I would just use the eheim and just get a powerhead or something for additional water circulation. I love eheims, the quality of the filter dordnt really compare to cheaper units like sun sun.

 

If you have trouble with too much flow, I point the spraybar output toward the glass. My eheim 2217 spraybar is set up vertically and the flow travels around the perimeter mostly. I have a powerhead at the back to continue the flow around. So the middle doesn't have a lot of flow for my fish that don't appreciate current so much.

 

If it’s just one betta and a few snails? That canister will do just fine, it’ll probably outlast the sun sun for many years, plus he will will be happy with the low flow in that big tank, I don’t see a reason for another filter unless you plan on fully stocking that tank, imo of course.
What media do you have in it now?

 

Some canister filters like the Fluval 30x/40x series have adjustable flow rates. They're pretty pricey, though.

Fluval 407 Performance Canister Filter up to 100 US Gal (500 L)

 

Congrats on new tank!

Bowfronts look great

 

Thanks everyone! Sorry for the length of time it took to reply... I turned the spray bar into the corner like suggested and he is so happy now. The water is cloudy now (just started going cloudy a couple of hours ago)... I’m going to go pick up a master test kit and see if everything is normal or if the bacterial bloom is starting. The PH is good, I put cycle in before he was introduced as well as some Melafix because I noticed some fin rot. He went in last night and he has been loving it. He’s exploring it and has even played with his luffy balls a couple of times.

 

Congrats on new tank!

Bowfronts look great

Thank you!

 

Update : I moved SushI back into his half gallon box... the nitrites and nitrates were through the roof (although PH and Ammonium/Ammonia were 7 and 0, respectively)! I did this all wrong, I know... I feel guilty what I’m putting him through with all of this the last two weeks, but slowly I’m learning more and more and he’s still okay! Since being back in his box he’s started a new bubble nest and his appetite is still strong. I’m going to do a pwc on the tank this evening and see what else I can do to fix the situation. Our quarantine tank (I believe it’s 20g) gets here this evening so I’ll set that up for him to get him out of the box while the 46g stabilizes.

 

You need to feed the bioload in the 46, why not just keep him in there and do 50% water changes until the bio catches up?

 

You need to feed the bioload in the 46, why not just keep him in there and do 50% water changes until the bio catches up?

I was so nervous he was going to die... he was staying at the top of the tank and kept sticking his head out for air and wasn’t his usual curious self. I’ll do a 50% water change this evening then and then put him back there instead of the quarantine tank... there’s no words for how much I really appreciate this forum. Everyone keeps telling me “it’s just a fish”

 

Tall pieces of driftwood are good for slowing down or breaking up the output from the filter. They also look good and provide interest for the betta. With your very small fish count a 2213 will be more than enough filtration. Cannisters are a bit of a pain to clean but very good for removing ammo/nitrite. Eheim is the Rolls Royce of filters.

 

I was so nervous he was going to die... he was staying at the top of the tank and kept sticking his head out for air and wasn’t his usual curious self. I’ll do a 50% water change this evening then and then put him back there instead of the quarantine tank... there’s no words for how much I really appreciate this forum. Everyone keeps telling me “it’s just a fish”

Stay on top of parameters and do a water change when they get high, I’m surprised with such a small bioload that levels got so high, are your test kits old? In nature betas live in small puddles that’s why you always see them in little glass jars for sale in the pet stores, they are usually a more hardy fish than most, if you stay on top of parameters Things should be ok.
Did you have any old filter media or gravel from the older mature tank? If you transfer that stuff to the new tank you should have an easier time with the cycle.
Good luck

 

Thank you, I’ll add some of his gravel. The person I got the tank from gave me a sponge with good bacteria so I put that in the canister as soon as I set up the tank. I wasn’t expecting anything to happen this quickly, I was expecting at least a week before we were at this point. I also realize I panicked and should have treated/changed the water he was in instead of putting him back into his box. The parameters in the box are good, ph is a little high at 7.2, but ammonia nitrates and nitrites are all 0. The 46g is 6.5pH, 0.25ppm ammonia, 2ppm nitrite and 40ppm nitrate.

 

The 46g is definitely due for a water change, at least 50%. That brings ammonia to 0.125ppm, nitrite to 1ppm and nitrate to 20ppm. Tbh, I'd do a 75% change, bring ammonia to 7.5, nitrite to 0.5 and nitrates to 10ppm. That's assuming your tap water doesn't contain them. Don't worry about pH. 7.2 is perfectly fine. What is your pH from the tap? Better to keep it consistent with frequent water changes then to aI'm for a certain value.

Also it's ok to see a bit of nitrate, that's normal for a cycled tank as they are a biproduct of the nitrogen cycle. They are a sign the other nitrifying bacteria have done their jobs. It's best to keep them under 20ppm though with water changes. It's ammonia and nitrite you don't want to see when the tank is cycled. While the tank is cycling, you can protect your fish against toxic effects by keeping them low with water changes and dosing with Prime water conditioner.

 

What test kit are you using? I don't see how a betta can give you readings like this in such a short amount of time. Anything else in the tank with him currently? Also, have you done a baseline test on your tap water? Just to see what you have coming out of the faucet? It's not 100% necessary, but I would like to know.

Edit to add: I would put a pre-filter sponge over the intake of your canister filter. Don't want the little guy getting caught in the intake.