Is it ok to use a Eclipse filter for a Betta?

Question

I want to get a Betta and I found this cool 5 Gallon Hexagon one and I want it. It has an Eclipse filter with "Three stage filtration." Since I don't know what that is, I guess it's good. The only concern I have is, Will it tear my Betta's fins?

http://www.petco.com/product/12788/Marineland-Eclipse-Hex-5-Fully-Integrated-Aquarium-Kit.aspx


Here's the link.

Answer 1

Just because a betta can survive without a filter doesn't mean it SHOULDN'T have one. I have a betta (male) in an Eclipse hex like you are speaking of and he's perfectly fine. All my bettas (and at one time I had 14 and was breeding them) have filters and heaters in their tanks.

While the Eclipse filters don't have an adjustable flow (the only thing I don't like about them) my male has no problem swimming with the amount of current it produces. This can be a problem for males with large fins (think of the fins as a kite or sail beig caught by the water movement), but I see this only when they're in larger tanks (10 gallon+) which have a correspondingly higher flow rate from the filter.

If you're worried about using this, you've already got several excellent suggestions from ceci and ninjaa on how to reduce the flow rate.

(I actually own two 5 gallon hex tanks, two 3 gallon bowfronts and a 6 gallon bowfront by Eclipse that I use for quarantine/feeder tanks. I've had these for 3-5 years depending on the tank. None of mine have had problems with operation other than the typical slowing down of the biowheel [which comes with any biowheel filter] and needing to change the filters. The way these filters are set in the filter isn't the greatest design, since the water can easily bypass the filter pad once it gets clogged)

Answer 2

I have a betta in that very same tank. Just make sure the one you get doesn't have too strong a current generated by the filter. If it does you can baffle the current by placing floating plants(I like hornwort) and or a rock cave in the way of the waterfall.

So far I have scene 6 of these eclipse 5 hex tanks and only 1 had a filter that was hard on the betta which was easily remedied.

Your betta will love his new 5g home :)

Answer 3

That filter will be just fine. By far it is not excessive and has a biowheel filter on it. It provides the proper filtration you need. I do not know why the others that are pointing this out to you are getting massive thumbs down, but I have to say it's pretty sad that it coincides with another answerer that is in conflict with the accurate input you've gotten from everyone else. You will not harm or kill your Betta using that filter. By far with the Betta's I've had, they have thrived well under the Eclipse systems in a heated filtered tank, and I haven't seen any deaths or them being torn up.

That filter has mechanical filtration on top of activated carbon. This gives you both mechanical and chemical filtration, and the water from there passes over the biowheel which houses your bacteria needed for biological filtration and works very well. Go for it. There is nothing anyone can say that is wrong about that set up. If you need accurate input like the others have given, you can always email me away from the biasedness of what is going on here from someone. You can't thumb down an email.

Answer 4

Your Betta will be fine in the setup. The filter won't harm it. I have a male in a 36 gallon community tank that has a canister filter which puts out a bit a current but he does very well in it. If you think it will be a problem you could place a few plants to block some of the current. Like someone else said don't forget the heater. You can purchase microheaters that will heat up the tank. Betta's thrive in temps between 76-82F.
Your Betta will love the extra space to explore.

Answer 5

Sometimes filters won't run "dry" which means before you plug it in add a little of the tank water to the filter (until it flows into the tank) and then turn it on. If that doesn't work then you should take the device to your nearest LFS and ask for assistance.

Answer 6

You don't need the filter for a betta, as long as you do 1/4 water changes once a week. Do get a heater and set it to the water's at about 80 F.
A couple corydoras could also be place in the tank and be attractive.

Answer 7

Bettas do just fine with filters, contrary to popular belief. Their long fins do create drag that can exhaust them if the current is too strong, but that's easy to overcome.

** My AquaClear filters have a way to raise and lower the strength of the current. I'm not sure Eclipse filters do, but you can check on the box.
** Put a plant right in front of the filter, where the water flow is coming down, and that will break up that current.
** Plenty of other plants in the tank give the betta places to hide from current when they're tired, and since bettas are from rice paddies, they like lots of plants anyway.

What WILL tear your betta's fins though are rough edged plastic plants. Stick with either real or silk plants.

And beware!! Bettas are addictive. :)

Answer 8

Your betta will fine. Also invest in a small heater as well, and you'll have one happy active betta. :)

Be careful what plants you use though, the plastic ones can rip fins, try to get silk or cloth plants instead.

Answer 9

Kudos for wanting to get your betta a good-sized tank.

Your betta will most likely be fine with the filter. Most filters nowadays come with knobs that allow you to adjust the current. If it's still too strong, just tie a piece of pantyhose or moss over the output and it will cut down.

Answer 10

Yes, this tank and filter is absolutely fine for your betta

Very good choice :)

This filter won't tear your betta's filter apart

Also you need a small heater, which cost about $10-$15 at petco as well




Hope that helps
Good luck



EB