How still does the surface need to be?

[LouiMon]

I just set up my ten gallon and filled it right to the top so there isn't a waterfall, but while there isn't a rough ripple, there is definitely movement on the surface... Is this a problem?

I could easily make something out of PVC to stop it, if it's needed.

[aokashi]

it should be totally fine. only baffle it if your fish has difficulties swimming due to the current

[Polkadot]

It sounds good,but you will know if your Betta is having trouble with the current.With my 3 little boys tanks I placed a filter sponge (from a different brand filter which fit perfectly) over the spray bar leaving just one hole open,so the bubbles can still come out leaving the rest to soak down through the sponge.It has worked really well and there is next to no movement on the surface.

[xjenuhfur]

You should only have to baffle it if your fish is having problems with the current. Goblin never had a problem with current. Golem on the other hand hates it, so I've had to baffle my 10gal. I just used a plastic bottle like they show you on the forum here somewhere.

Or you can stuff your filter with sponge. That works too.

[ryancalif]

My betta seems to love water movement. Whenever I pour water in the tank, she always likes to swim under the water spot and ends up getting pushed down to the gravel. Lol. Then, she circles back around and does the same thing, over and over again.

She also loves to play in the stream of air bubbles created by my air stone.

So to answer the question here, I assume it depends on your betta. If she is constantly hiding out in a calm area of the tank away from any water movement, she probably doesn't like water movement.

[DefStatic]

I was curious about this as well. I have my Evolve 4 with the pump turned all the way down plus my added valve at a quarter, and I still feel like it is too much. I am going to turn it down to half on my extra valve before I put my Betta in.

[aokashi]

it really depends on your fish. ie. if you have a plakat...

[Blue Fish]

As has been said, fish are different, so it depends upon your guy. Mine HATE current of any type, so I stuck a sponge into the filter outflow and let it dangle down into the water. This makes ZERO water current, and my boys are happy. :)

[jadaBlu]

I meant to post this on main board go there for answers.

[bannlow2471]

Polkadot and Bluefish, I am so glad to hear of others doing this. I did the same thing when I recently upgraded my veiltail's tank from a 2.5 gallon to a 5 gallon. The previous tank was an Aqueon with next to no current/ripple and while the much more aggressive current in the new tank didn't seem to bother Murray, it concerned me because I've read how Bettas prefer a calm surface. By putting one of my left over sponge filters from the Aqueon in front of the outflow on the new filter, it has drastically reduced the surface movement, and Murray seems to be happier with it like this.