Sponge filter for Betta...so confused!

So my hubby has agreed that we can set up my 15 gallon again and have a betta, yay! It didn't take much persuasion in the end, all I had to do was show him some pictures

But what I need to do first I think is get a filter and put it in my current tank to seed it for when we pick our boy. I know that sponge filters are better because they don't produce as much current but past that I'm lost. Can someone give me some advice on a good filter to get? Do I need to get an airpump to power the sponge filter? If so, what is a good quiet one for a 15 gallon tank? It has to be as quiet as possible because it's going to be in our living room.

Thanks so much! I'm excited for this new adventure even though it will probably be a month or so till it happens. Just gives me time to get everything perfect, and I get to look at pretty pictures of bettas for sale because we're probably going to buy one online. I don't really want to support the LFS who keep them in tiny cups.

 

While any sponge should work (they come in many different shapes and styles) I have always used the Hydro Pro series. They do need to be hooked up to air line tubing (which comes in different colors too) which in turn is hooked up to an air pump. I don't recall the air pumps I have but I'm sure someone will chime in on this quickly. The only one I did NOT like was the Tetra air pump I had (the ones with the round blue casing).

 

How much does that cost you on the US? It costs around £40 here which seems a lot! But u don't know because I've never had a sponge filter

Would something like this be good?

 

Those are meant to go on hob filters. You can look up diy sponge filters if you are looking for a cheaper alternative. You can do a hob filter you would just need to baffle the filter outflow, most likely with some sponge or a diy option - on one of my betta tank I baffled it using a hard puece of plastic that makes the water flow around instead of straight out and down.

 

Oh really? It just said add an airline in the description. I don't need it to be particularly cheap. I'm happy to buy a good filter that is realiable. I'm just not sure what to go for or what is a normal amount to spend on one.

It's also difficult finding a filter that is suggested and is also available in the UK

Alternatively would a HOB filter like this work? If I can it would be nice to have an external filter so that there is less in the tank



Although this would mean I'd need to get a new lid for the tank. Ahh picking a filter is hard!

It's the Hydro Pro the best type of sponge filter?

Does anyone have a suggestion for a good quiet air pump?

 

The quietest ones I've ever come across is the aquaculture (available at walmart, don't know if that is helpful or not), which is relatively cheap (normally under 9$ here) for a good amount of flow (creates a load of flow in my ten gallon but is rated for up to 15 gallons).

 

You can also slow a HOB by filling with Filter Floss. Super cheap, effective abd can help baffle sound as well as flow.

 

I'm not sure the HOB is going to work with the lid I have though, so I think either an internal filter or a sponge filter will be the best option here.

I can't find Aquaculture in the UK, but thank you for your suggestion Apart from a 1.5g tank for £450!!!!

Perhaps a better question would be what am I looking for in a sponge filter? What makes them good or bad?

 

Flowingfins might be able to answer that question.

 

I'm not sure the HOB is going to work with the lid I have though, so I think either an internal filter or a sponge filter will be the best option here.

I can't find Aquaculture in the UK, but thank you for your suggestion Apart from a 1.5g tank for £450!!!!

Perhaps a better question would be what am I looking for in a sponge filter? What makes them good or bad?

The highest level of sponge you will approve asthetically... And for sponges I always have done two. Air pumps have gone out on me too many times.

Beyond that... there isn't much to worry about. Brand isn't a concern, style isn't either.

This is a style that's been used by breeders for 40 years at least...

 

Thanks ashenwelt, so would this one that I was looking at before work then?



I guess the power depends more on the airpump than the sponge filter?

I'm planning on having 2, one probably a smaller than the other because I might need to take the betta with me if I go away for Christmas because I worry more about a betta being left alone than my community tank. That way I can have a temporary plastic tank for him and a seeded filter ready to go with him. Does this make sense? Would it be alright? I suppose the only worry would be the bacteria on the other filter dying while I was away, but if I give it a good rinse when I'm back and add the second filter back in it should be fine right? Or would I effectively only be taking half the good bacteria with me?

 

Sponge filters all all the same really, I would go with whatever is cheapest. The only real difference is the style.

 

Thanks ashenwelt, so would this one that I was looking at before work then?



I guess the power depends more on the airpump than the sponge filter?

I'm planning on having 2, one probably a smaller than the other because I might need to take the betta with me if I go away for Christmas because I worry more about a betta being left alone than my community tank. That way I can have a temporary plastic tank for him and a seeded filter ready to go with him. Does this make sense? Would it be alright? I suppose the only worry would be the bacteria on the other filter dying while I was away, but if I give it a good rinse when I'm back and add the second filter back in it should be fine right? Or would I effectively only be taking half the good bacteria with me?

I can't see an item on there. I wouldn't be too worried on quality. I like L or U shapped. And yes, the air pump is the primary on the filter flow.

So moving one filter to a travel tank should be doable, but I would dose both tabks with Seachem Prime and Stability.

Remember though... much to the chagrin of most dealers... a heater is just as if not more important to a beta. So if you take your betta... mix at least half tank water in the travel tank. But... keep filters going in both. But honestly, if less than 4 or 5 days... I wouldn't worry.

Remember that husbandry is the number one killer for betta. So I would just make sure he had some live Marimo moss balls a filter and a heater.

 

Sorry, I only copied part of the link:



Oh there's no question about the heater, I already have one for the 15 gallon

I'm going away for up to weeks at Christmas so I don't want to leave the betta. I've left the community tank for 2 weeks before with no ill affects but I feel like the betta tank will probably be less stable just because of its smaller size.

I'm planning on the tank being planted, but having the marimo balls will be perfect for when I use the travel tank as they will be less disturbed by the move.

 

That one looks good.

 

So the next question is which air pump!? Any suggestions?

I've tried looking on fishlore and have come up with Tetra Whisper, but it has mixed reviews. Does anyone have experience with these? Are they quiet? Thanks!

I'm looking at the Eheim Air Pump, but I'm not sure what capacity I am looking for. Would the Eheim Air Pump 100 be sufficient for my 60l tank?

So this would be the equipment in the tank:

Thoughts?

 

I'm looking at the Eheim Air Pump, but I'm not sure what capacity I am looking for. Would the Eheim Air Pump 100 be sufficient for my 60l tank?

So this would be the equipment in the tank:





Thoughts?

Honestly I would go up in size... bit that's me.

In an odd twist I am planning a betta tank but I am planning to use the walstad method and do a true natural tank. Takes forever but worth it.

 

So the Eheim 200 instead? okay

The Walstad method sound interesting from the limited amount I've heard about it but I haven't read up on it. I think I'd be a before wreck constantly checking my water parameters though haha.

Are you going to start a thread/blog? I'd love to follow your experience with it

 

I will be when I make the move... I think a new tank now would drive my wife to strangling me. So I may not build till November. I am arguing wet vs dry start method with myself.