Is it necessary that i have a filter and a heater in my 2 gallon tank?

Question

I have a betta in a 2 gallon tank. I already have a junior heater in there along with a filter.The filter is made for small tanks starting from 1 gallon but my betta doesnt like the strong water flow. I really want the heater in there but was wondering if i could just take the filter out. My concern is that i was using the filter as a water "mixer" so that the heat would distribute in the tank evenly. But if i take the filter out would that still be ok?

Answer 1

You for sure need a heater. Bettas are tropical fish and need temps in the 78-81 degree F range. You can get by fine without a filter, just make sure to clean the tank every 2-3 days.


EDIT: Bettas LOVE large tanks! Check out this link for where they live in the wild. http://www.bettadreams.com/ricepaddies.html

They need at least 1 gallon, but that is even too small because it can be very hard to properly heat such a teeny tank. 2 gallons is the smallest you can heat and filter properly, so that is much better. But bettas do great in large tanks. If you lived near me I would invite you to my house so you could see my bettas in tanks ranging from 5-20 gallons, and 1 betta that is in my 125 gallon! He has been there for 6 years, so don't try to tell me he is not happy in that big tank.(bettas life expectancy is 2-3 years)

Answer 2

Your tank really is too small. I appreciate that the tank and fish you have won't change upon my advice, so will be more realistic. (Although I would first suggest getting a bigger tank).
All tropical fish need heaters, due to varying temperature anomolies so will not discus it. The filter is a bone of contention. If you are currently running a filter, you will have built up sufficient 'beneficial bacteria' (Search it on Google or 'tank cycling'), if you then remove the filter and start changing large amounts of water you will effectively poison the fish (Ammonia, Nitrites & Nitrates). Also bear in mind that the filter provides oxygen to the water and this will have an effect. I would not recommend you removing the filter (Have you thought of an under gravel filter), however if you are intent on doing so ensure that you have a water testing kit and do it regularly (Every other day for the first 6-8 weeks) then weekly after. Should any problems arise, reinstall your filter.
To summise: Bigger tank, would be better. Always use a heater and filter, but a filter could possibly be omitted if the water levels are monitored regularly. Good Luck.
In regard to 'Sammi7223's' answer, ignore it. She is talking nonsense. Betta love big tanks, would they live in puddles in the wild?. N0!.
Chlorine will naturally dissipate after around 48 hours (So no chemicals are required if left to stand - Unless you have high metal elements in your water). Sammi also states scrubbing ornaments etc, this is fine as long as it's done within the fish's old water (Again the beneficial bacteria). As for complete water changes?. If you want drab, miserable stressed fish, that's great, personally I wouldn't ask Sammi for further advice as it's wrong.
Happy fish keeping!!

Answer 3

I have a Betta in a half gallon tank. They don't like tanks bigger than 1 gallon. Take them out. You don't need them. Just clean the tank out every week. But when you add water it has to be free of chlorine. Fill a one gallon bucket of water and use fish tabs. They get rid of chlorine. Let it sit for 2 days. Then put your betta in a little container filled with that water while you clean its tank. Just empty the water in the sink and scrub it. Rinse it and any materials you have in the tank. Fill it up with the chlorine free water and put your fish in.
I HOPE I WAS A HELP TO YOU!!!!

ps

(chlorine kills fish. Dont use straight up tap water)
And you also dont need the water heater for a Betta. If it was a tank larger than 60 gallons you would but not for a betta.