Tetra whisper pf10 too strong for bettas? HELP!

I bought a betta from petsmart about 4 days ago and put him into this tank. Though he seems healthy in movement, he generally stays in 2 spots, the top back left corner, and behind the heater.

when I first put him in, my tetra whisper pf10 filter had no prefilter sponge on it. From what I could see, that was his issue. Both the water output and input were too strong for him to be comfortable, and he refused to eat.
Trying to find solutions to this, I bought a prefilter, as seen in the image above, as well as created a barrier for the top of the water to block some of the output flow. As seen here.


it’s been this way for more than 24 hours. He continues to stay put near the heater, and ignores any food I place near him. (Both pellets and soaked blood worms). I turned off the filter for a moment, and only then did he begin to swim a bit more.
because of this, it makes me think even with the prefilter sponge, the water is still too strong for him to want to go lower in the tank.
what makes me question this is I also have 2 ghost shrimp that move perfectly fine in the tank, with the filter as is.
I need help!
what else can I do? Is the pf10 too strong for bettas, even with a prefilter sponge? What are actual good filters? Why haven’t I seen him eat in 4 days? Is he sick? I’ve so many concerns, as this is my first tank, and I just want to do a good job for this fish. I want to try every thing I can try to say there is something wrong with him. What am I doing wrong?

 

Betta's don't like much current so yes I think the current may be to strong. And when you say he stay in 2 spots it sounds like the tank is not cycled. Do you know about the nitrogen cycle?

 

Betta's don't like much current so yes I think the current may be to strong. And when you say he stay in 2 spots it sounds like the tank is not cycled. Do you know about the nitrogen cycle?

Yes. All things point to it being cycled. Looks like I will pick up a test kit to test it again. They told me it was fine when I had it tested but I’ll try for myself.

 

Yes make sure to get a liquid test kit and not a strip one because the test strips are not accurate and that is what the store uses. A good test kit is API master test kit

What size tank is it?

 

Betta's don't like much current so yes I think the current may be to strong. And when you say he stay in 2 spots it sounds like the tank is not cycled. Do you know about the nitrogen cycle?

I’m also worried to get a new filter because any bacteria I may have in the filter would have to start over in a new one. I’ve used bacteria starters so I know they are in there. Do you have any filters you recommend?

What size tank is it?

5 gallon

 

If you want a low current filter you could try a sponge filter, but the air pumps will make noise. You could also try finding a filter with an adjustable flow. Is the room really cold? Five gallons can lose heat fairly fast

 

If you want a low current filter you could try a sponge filter, but the air pumps will make noise. You could also try finding a filter with an adjustable flow. Is the room really cold? Five gallons can lose heat fairly fast

It’s not super cold, and my heater detects when it needs to heat and all of that. I’d say it’s 50/50 on heating and not heating during the day. Do you think he’s staying for warmth?

 

Bettas like 72-80 degrees

 

Bettas like 72-80 degrees

My heater is set to 78, so I’m hoping that’s all well.

 

It’s not super cold, and my heater detects when it needs to heat and all of that. I’d say it’s 50/50 on heating and not heating during the day. Do you think he’s staying for warmth?

If he's staying by the heater, I'd check the temperature of the water just to be sure. Heaters can be finicky sometimes. I've noticed my tetras hang out by the heater if I have a window open for a while when it's cold outside

 

Here is good sponge filter
Amazon.com : XY-2831 Air Pump Sponge Filter for Aquarium, Tank Size 10-Gallon (1-Pack) : Pet Supplies

 

Here is good sponge filter
Amazon.com : XY-2831 Air Pump Sponge Filter for Aquarium, Tank Size 10-Gallon (1-Pack) : Pet Supplies

Awesome, thank you. That should get rid of all flow issues you think, right?

 

If you search around amazon a bit you can find some.

 

If he's staying by the heater, I'd check the temperature of the water just to be sure. Heaters can be finicky sometimes. I've noticed my tetras hang out by the heater if I have a window open for a while when it's cold outside

Yeah, I guess I’ll definitely have to take a look at that. I have some purchases to make tomorrow

 

Yes I believe so

 

I don't trust taking it into the pet store. A lot of times "fine" to them is the same early uncycled as cycled. Get your own test kit and check. Unless you specifically cycled the tank yourself with an ammonia source before adding the fish or got seeded filter media you aren't cycled. The API master liquid kit is fantastic can't go wrong with that. But test strips do get a bad rep because most of them suck. However, the Tetra test strips are okay. I use the 6 in 1 for quick checks, but that doesn't measure ammonia so you'd need their ammonia test strips as well.

As for the flow it looks like the filter is waterfalling in pretty hard. That's creating a lot of additional flow. I'd suggest getting a lid and raising the water level so the filter sends the water straight out and not down. If that's still too much you can always baffle the filter. No need to get a new one, there's plenty of ways to fix this issue. And you won't have to start over cycling like you would a new filter.

Your temperature could be too low as well. Bettas like warmer water. Some times preset filters aren't warm enough. I've kept my betta at 76, 78 and 80 and he has done much better at 80. A lot of times heaters heat below what they're set at so you have to go a bit warmer to get the temperature you want, especially since the heat is dissipating amongst the water which is in turn being cooled by the air.

Lastly total side note it looks like you have live plants. Do you have fertilizers for them and a decent light? Not sure if you have one or not since there isn't one in the picture.

 

Plus the filter is pretty cheap too

 

I don't trust taking it into the pet store. A lot of times "fine" to them is the same early uncycled as cycled. Get your own test kit and check. Unless you specifically cycled the tank yourself with an ammonia source before adding the fish or got seeded filter media you aren't cycled. The API master liquid kit is fantastic can't go wrong with that. But test strips do get a bad rep because most of them suck. However, the Tetra test strips are okay. I use the 6 in 1 for quick checks, but that doesn't measure ammonia so you'd need their ammonia test strips as well.

As for the flow it looks like the filter is waterfalling in pretty hard. That's creating a lot of additional flow. I'd suggest getting a lid and raising the water level so the filter sends the water straight out and not down. If that's still too much you can always baffle the filter. No need to get a new one, there's plenty of ways to fix this issue. And you won't have to start over cycling like you would a new filter.

Your temperature could be too low as well. Bettas like warmer water. Some times preset filters aren't warm enough. I've kept my betta at 76, 78 and 80 and he has done much better at 80. A lot of times heaters heat below what they're set at so you have to go a bit warmer to get the temperature you want, especially since the heat is dissipating amongst the water which is in turn being cooled by the air.

Lastly total side note it looks like you have live plants. Do you have fertilizers for them and a decent light? Not sure if you have one or not since there isn't one in the picture.

I understand what you mean. The heater is set to 78 degrees, and it’s not adjustable. I’ve done what I can to start the cycle. I’ve added bacteria starters as well as ammonia sources, using food to decompose (it sat, with those things for about a week before I bought the fish)
Water levels are about as high as they can go. I did put in a prefilter sponge, but I just can’t tell how much it’s working.
Yes I have live plants. Substrate works as fertilizer, and I know it may not be the smartest but I use natural light from the window. It’s not direct light, as the window is tinted a bit, and I close the blinds at the end of the day.
though I tried to do as much research As possible, some things definitely slipped past me. I guess I was expecting a lot of trial and error.

 

Plus the filter is pretty cheap too

Yeah I noticed that. But you have to buy a water pump too, correct?

 

Cycling tanks usually takes at least 2 weeks. And you can use a powerhead (water pump) with a sponge filter but most people use air pumps. I tried em and I could not stand the noise, even the quiet ones but I am sensitive to noises and plenty of people are fine with em

 

Cycling tanks usually takes at least 2 weeks. And you can use a powerhead (water pump) with a sponge filter but most people use air pumps. I tried em and I could not stand the noise, even the quiet ones but I am sensitive to noises and plenty of people are fine with em

It is in my room, so I can see why that would be an issue, but I’d honestly rather him be happy and stress free

 

If the tank isn't fully cycled, there might be too much ammonia or nitrites in the water. Have you tried a water change?

 

If the tank isn't fully cycled, there might be too much ammonia or nitrites in the water. Have you tried a water change?

Yes, about a 20% one yesterday

 

Hi, in a week cycling is just about started, so you are now doing a fish-in cycle. So every day water changes, well heated water, and please keep an eye on your water parameters. First you notice that ammonia is rising, and nitrites and nitrates are 0. In next stage you start to see also nitrites, but nitrates are still 0. Your tank has done cycling when your ammonia and nitrites are 0, and you see nitrates. That can take several weeks, so your new best friends are test kit and water changes. But when you have a small tank, it won't take long, and you do not need to take your fish out for that. It stresses him more than doing water change.

 

I understand what you mean. The heater is set to 78 degrees, and it’s not adjustable. I’ve done what I can to start the cycle. I’ve added bacteria starters as well as ammonia sources, using food to decompose (it sat, with those things for about a week before I bought the fish)
Water levels are about as high as they can go. I did put in a prefilter sponge, but I just can’t tell how much it’s working.
Yes I have live plants. Substrate works as fertilizer, and I know it may not be the smartest but I use natural light from the window. It’s not direct light, as the window is tinted a bit, and I close the blinds at the end of the day.
though I tried to do as much research As possible, some things definitely slipped past me. I guess I was expecting a lot of trial and error.

I would suggest starting with 50% daily water changes, you need to get the ammonia and nitrite levels down. Under .5ppm for a fish in cycle.

And the prefilter sponge isn't going to make that much of a difference in flow. It really looks like the filter is sitting quite high, I don't know if it's naturally like that or if it's just not pushed down all the way. And if the water level is at what it is in the pictures it can definitely go higher. I keep mine topped off at the rim. You just need a lid to keep the betta from jumping out on you. It would really help with flow a lot. Otherwise you can baffle it with a water bottle. You can do a simple google for a tutorial on it. It's super easy and should do the trick.

As with the plants if you're interested there are super cheap lights that work well about $20 for them. Just having a substrate doesn't really work on it's own, you need root tabs in it to give plants nutrients. But I noticed you have an anubias and a java fern. Each of those feed from the water column and really appreciate liquid fertilizers. Also they both have rhizomes that need to be above the substrate, not buried in it. I can't tell with the java fern, but the anubias definitely appears to be buried and the level of the java fern I would assume it is too. If they stay buried the rhizome will rot out and the plants will die completely.

 

I would suggest starting with 50% daily water changes, you need to get the ammonia and nitrite levels down. Under .5ppm for a fish in cycle.

And the prefilter sponge isn't going to make that much of a difference in flow. It really looks like the filter is sitting quite high, I don't know if it's naturally like that or if it's just not pushed down all the way. And if the water level is at what it is in the pictures it can definitely go higher. I keep mine topped off at the rim. You just need a lid to keep the betta from jumping out on you. It would really help with flow a lot. Otherwise you can baffle it with a water bottle. You can do a simple google for a tutorial on it. It's super easy and should do the trick.

As with the plants if you're interested there are super cheap lights that work well about $20 for them. Just having a substrate doesn't really work on it's own, you need root tabs in it to give plants nutrients. But I noticed you have an anubias and a java fern. Each of those feed from the water column and really appreciate liquid fertilizers. Also they both have rhizomes that need to be above the substrate, not buried in it. I can't tell with the java fern, but the anubias definitely appears to be buried and the level of the java fern I would assume it is too. If they stay buried the rhizome will rot out and the plants will die completely.

Alright. I really appreciate all of that. Thank you