New, Need Help!

I have a 15 gallon tank that I am planning to have a betta fish in. This is my first tank in a while so I want to make sure I get everything right.

The tank came with a fluval U2 filter but after a bit of testing I'm worried the flow might be too strong for a betta even on the lowest setting. I have a 28 gallon tank I want to work on next so might move that filter to that tank - does any body have any recommendations as to a filter powerful enough to clean a 15 gallon while having a soft enough flow for a betta? The tank isn't in direct sunlight, I'm planning to get some zebra snails, and its a live planted aquarium.

In regards to the live plants - I've had them in the tank for a little over a week and some of the leaves are beginning to fall off, and others are browning a little. I ordered them online and they came in a little lopsided and 'smushed' together so I'm not sure if it was an issue with the packing or if I'm doing something wrong. There is a good light on the aquarium and it seems as though the tops of the plants are straightening out and stretching toward the light. There is ludwigia, Java fern and fontinalis. Also some moss but that seems alright. They are planted in some fluval substrate designed for plants. Am I doing something wrong? If so, how could I find out?

I'd really appreciate some help!

 

A 15 gallon for a betta is a great living space! You could defintely add 3-4 Nerite (Zebra) Snails if you'd like. You might be able to add some Ghost or Amano shrimp as well.

As for filtration, I'm not an expert on that but I think you could just do a simple sponge filter or HOB. The Tetra whisper filters are decent IMO.

As for plants, you seem to doing well. All of your plants are low maintenance, but keep in mind that the fontinalis is a slow grower.

 

Depending on the betta, the filtration shouldn't be a problem. I personally keep plakats so they have no problem with the stronger flow

 

A 15 gallon for a betta is a great living space! You could defintely add 3-4 Nerite (Zebra) Snails if you'd like. You might be able to add some Ghost or Amano shrimp as well.

As for filtration, I'm not an expert on that but I think you could just do a simple sponge filter or HOB. The Tetra whisper filters are decent IMO.

As for plants, you seem to doing well. All of your plants are low maintenance, but keep in mind that the fontinalis is a slow grower.

I'm not an expert on filtration, but imao tetra filters are a piece of garbage. I use cascade and it works pretty well. I've heard marineland is okay to

 

I'm not an expert on filtration, but imao tetra filters are a piece of garbage. I use cascade and it works pretty well. I've heard marineland is okay to

Aqueon is okay as well? Really Tetra is garbage? I heard that it's okay. I've never used that brand before. Well, honestly for a betta a simple HOB filter would work fine

 

A 15 gallon for a betta is a great living space! You could defintely add 3-4 Nerite (Zebra) Snails if you'd like. You might be able to add some Ghost or Amano shrimp as well.

As for filtration, I'm not an expert on that but I think you could just do a simple sponge filter or HOB. The Tetra whisper filters are decent IMO.

As for plants, you seem to doing well. All of your plants are low maintenance, but keep in mind that the fontinalis is a slow grower.

Thank you! They're so beautiful, I really wanted to make sure mine was showcased. Thank you so much for your input, really helps!

I'll have a look into both the Tetra and cascade filters - thank you all for the ideas!

 

Thank you! They're so beautiful, I really wanted to make sure mine was showcased. Thank you so much for your input, really helps!

I'll have a look into both the Tetra and cascade filters - thank you all for the ideas!

I wouldn't do Tetra if the others don't recommend it, a simple sponge filter or HOB would be fine.

Do you need help with the exact stocking? I'd be glad to help

 

I wouldn't do Tetra if the others don't recommend it, a simple sponge filter or HOB would be fine.

Do you need help with the exact stocking? I'd be glad to help

Yes please, that would be great!

 

Yes please, that would be great!

Alright, here it is:
1x Male Betta
3-4x Nerite Snail
6x Ghost shrimp OR 3-4 Amano Shrimp

Just make sure your tank is cycled, the inverts are sensitive to Ammonia and Nitrite levels.

 

Alright, here it is:
1x Male Betta
3-4x Nerite Snail
6x Ghost shrimp OR 3-4 Amano Shrimp

Just make sure your tank is cycled, the inverts are sensitive to Ammonia and Nitrite levels.

Awesome, thank you!!

 

Awesome, thank you!!

No problem, keep us updated!

 

I had a sponge filter in my 10 gallon with my male betta but I ended up replacing it with a small HOB filter. The air bubbles from the sponge filter was a bit strong, the air pump I had was too big for the filter, so the current was too much for him. The fluval HOB filter I had is adjustable so I just set it to the lowest setting and it has been fine since. However a sponge filter will always be cheaper for you. You just rise it out during major water changes and that is it. No media purchases are needed and for a small bioload they work just fine.

 

I had a sponge filter in my 10 gallon with my male betta but I ended up replacing it with a small HOB filter. The air bubbles from the sponge filter was a bit strong, the air pump I had was too big for the filter, so the current was too much for him. The fluval HOB filter I had is adjustable so I just set it to the lowest setting and it has been fine since. However a sponge filter will always be cheaper for you. You just rise it out during major water changes and that is it. No media purchases are needed and for a small bioload they work just fine.

You could just get a smaller sponge filter lol, but an HOB would work too.

 

You could just get a smaller sponge filter lol, but an HOB would work too.

No the filter was the proper size, the air pump was too strong for the size of the filter so the top of my water looked like it was boiling 24/7 lol. He liked to play up there but I saw he could never find a resting place so I just put the slow fluval I still had and put a little air stone in the corner for something that he can still play in =) I just need a smaller air pump but I had the means of fixing it without leaving my house so I took the easy way =P

 

No the filter was the proper size, the air pump was too strong for the size of the filter so the top of my water looked like it was boiling 24/7 lol. He liked to play up there but I saw he could never find a resting place so I just put the slow fluval I still had and put a little air stone in the corner for something that he can still play in =) I just need a smaller air pump but I had the means of fixing it without leaving my house so I took the easy way =P

Hahaha, I'm facing the same problem for my 5 gallon QT tank ATM. The air pump is too big for the tank size

 

Get an air splitter to release some of the air and slow down the flow. They're cheap at most pet stores that carry fish supplies

 

Get an air splitter to release some of the air and slow down the flow. They're cheap at most pet stores that carry fish supplies

I have a little over a dozen splitters and half as many control valves lol. Between trying to DIY some source of co2 and keeping my many live bearing fish I used for cycling alive, there are so many tubes! I even bought a HOB air splitter. Connects to the pump and has 4 additional outlets with control valves built in. its like $8 or something at my LFS.

 

An aqua clear 20 could also work as the flow rate is adjustable..and they are great filters IMO ..never used a sponge so can't comment on that...good luck!

 

An aqua clear 20 could also work as the flow rate is adjustable..and they are great filters IMO ..never used a sponge so can't comment on that...good luck!

That is exactly what I have . 2 of those for my 10 gallons and 3 50's for my 20 long, 33 gal and 36gal bowed front. Plus a sponge filter for each as well but I only double those up on the 30's, not the 10's or the 20. They stay as one filter or the flow is crazy. But because of all the sponges AND air stones, I needed those splitters adn flow controls lol