Sitemaps

Where can I get a filter for a 5 gallon tank for a Betta fish2007-11-24 23:42:51

If, and this is a big if, you can set up an undergravel filter that actually acheives a biological action, the ammonia that comes from fish waste is changed into nitrates, and then into nitrites. Nitrates are less toxic than ammonia, and nitrites are less toxic than nitrates. To do this, you will need an undergravel filter, and perhaps two inches of small river rock. In a tank this small, do NOT use a powerhead. Rather, use an airstone to lift the water up the chimneys. The pet store will probably try to sell you some crushed rock product that's dyed some garish color, but it's so fine that the water flow through the gravel medium is difficult, and it is this water flow that creates the conditions that allow the waste products to break down. You will need to remove about thirty per cent of the water in the tank weekly, and replace it with clean water, free of chlorine and chloromine, and ph and temperture adjusted to the water in the tank. I would avoid live plants..the roots tend to clog undergravel filters.

If I may offer a piece of advice, the smallest size tank that can be easily maintained is a 29 gallon. Set it up as I have described above, but also add a back filter to strain out the crud, and augment the biological action of the undergravel filter, and use power heads with the undergravel filter. The larger size will make the chemical changes less extreme, and your betta will be a much happier camper in a more spacious tank,

---

No need for a 5g (in fact just discussed this in another thread asking if a filter would be needed). Personally I would not maintain a tank without one (for biological and mechanical filtration needs), but you can do fine with what you have.