Tank suggestions for a betta?

I have a friend who is moving into her new college dorm in a month, and they don't allow any pets. She has a betta fish living in a 2 gallon bowl currently and asked me if I would take him. I have space so I agreed, but now I'm looking for tank recommendations!
The shelf I have to put the tank on has limited space horizontally but is open vertically, so I'm thinking a tall tank would be better. The dimensions have to be under 14"L x 14"W but can be any dimensions in height. I'm looking for one that's between 5 to 10 gallons.
I've been looking into rimless models such as topfin, but it's been a while since I have kept a betta fish, so I'd like to hear community suggestions on what brands make good tall tanks under that size parameter!
Also looking for any advice on what particular style of filter I should use, I've heard discourse between using hang-on-the-back and sponge filters for bettas so I'd like to get second opinions on what's better.


I have also included a picture of the shelf underneath, it's fairly study and has an outlet strip right behind it.

 

The 5.5 gal topfin kit at petsmart is not too shabby. Glass tank, too.

 

The 5.5 gal topfin kit at petsmart is not too shabby. Glass tank, too.

Thanks for the reply. That was one I was looking at

 

Thanks for the reply. That was one I was looking at

Til i upgraded, i did keep a few of my bettas in them. Never had any issues with them. Just though the light was a bit dark at least on the bottom.

 

I'm an utter newbie when it comes to Betta's but I would say that if you go with a HOB filter find one that's adjustable. I have an aqueon 10gal tank with the stock HOB and it has no way of adjusting the flow. I've built a "waterbottle baffle" but even with that installed the current just gets redirected to a new spot that my betta now avoids so he isn't blown away.

 

Thanks for the reply. That was one I was looking at

I second that recommendation. It also has an adjustable flow for the filter which is great and can further be modified for longer finned bettas with a baffle.

 

I second that recommendation. It also has an adjustable flow for the filter which is great and can further be modified for longer finned bettas with a baffle.

That's great, I appreciate it! He is a doubletail I believe, so adjustable slow flow is better. I'm also planning to try and add floating plants eventually, which i believe like a calmer filter.

 

That's great, I appreciate it! He is a doubletail I believe, so adjustable slow flow is better. I'm also planning to try and add floating plants eventually, which i believe like a calmer filter.

Floating plants would be great, especially with a small tank to get the C 02 exchange started earlier, causing less nitrates and ammonia (from FFT).

 

That's great, I appreciate it! He is a doubletail I believe, so adjustable slow flow is better. I'm also planning to try and add floating plants eventually, which i believe like a calmer filter.

The only downside with the topfin is that the light is pretty low watt and with the hood there is usually some condensation depending on the temp of your house and tank. I have had no issues with anubias and java fern, but I haven't been able to keep floaters. Instead for coverage I am using my tall plants, tunnels and a floating log. Coverage and hiding spots is key for reducing stress with bettas.