Full Version: Filter Or No Filter?
I recently put Trogdor in a 1 gal aquarium, which he seems ot enjoy. The only problem we are having is the filter. It seems very strong for sucha small tank, but I have no way of turning it down. When I put in his food, the current sweeps it all over hte place and he can't get to it. Even when it stays still for a little while, the filter produces so many bubbles htat his tiny food gets lost in it. Should I just remove the filter? Does he really need it?
You can and many people do successfully keep their Bettas in unfiltered tanks/bowls and rely solely on regular partial/complete water changes.
However, a cycled and filtered tank does have great advantages in that you avoid the peaks in ammonia, that you may get by relying just on water changes alone.
On the other hand, a filter can cause the problems you've described and this can stress your fish.
It sounds likes you the filter is just too powerful for that small tank. A 1 gal tank, whilst Bettas can and are successfully kept in these, is still a small tank.
I think your options are to either remove the filter and rely on water changes alone or upgrade your tank to a bigger one and keep the filter you have or change your filter on your current setup.
What type of filter is it? Many people have success in smaller betta tanks by usuing an air-driven sponge filter as these are much more gentle than other types and theye can handle the bioload of one betta very well.
I would say you do have to do something though. Hope this helps a bit.
However, a cycled and filtered tank does have great advantages in that you avoid the peaks in ammonia, that you may get by relying just on water changes alone.
On the other hand, a filter can cause the problems you've described and this can stress your fish.
It sounds likes you the filter is just too powerful for that small tank. A 1 gal tank, whilst Bettas can and are successfully kept in these, is still a small tank.
I think your options are to either remove the filter and rely on water changes alone or upgrade your tank to a bigger one and keep the filter you have or change your filter on your current setup.
What type of filter is it? Many people have success in smaller betta tanks by usuing an air-driven sponge filter as these are much more gentle than other types and theye can handle the bioload of one betta very well.
I would say you do have to do something though. Hope this helps a bit.
I think you will be fine with a betta in an unfiltered 1 gallon tank. How long is he in there? He may get used to it, I had a betta in a 2 gallon with a filter and after a few weeks, he got used to it and new exactly how to avoid the current and to grab his food quickly before it swirled away
QUOTE(mrbumblebee @ Jun 2 2006, 01:08 AM)
I think your options are to either remove the filter and rely on water changes alone or upgrade your tank to a bigger one and keep the filter you have or change your filter on your current setup.
What type of filter is it? Many people have success in smaller betta tanks by usuing an air-driven sponge filter as these are much more gentle than other types and theye can handle the bioload of one betta very well.
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What type of filter is it? Many people have success in smaller betta tanks by usuing an air-driven sponge filter as these are much more gentle than other types and theye can handle the bioload of one betta very well.
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Upgrading to a bigger tank is out of the question. I think the 1 gal is plenty big enough for him, and I can't afford to get another one. The filter he has now is an undergravel filter, I don't remember the exact make and model. I agree that having a filter may be more beneficial in the long run, so I think I may keep this one a little while longer. If it doesn't work out, I may try to find a sponge filter like you suggested. Somethings gotta work!
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