Filter baffle PROBLEMS

[etanico]

I have a Hawkeye above-water power filter in my 5 gallon hex tank.
In the tank is a Betta and a Golden Mystery Snail.

When I first got the tank, I baffled it with a water bottle. I tried it once and then again with a new bottle. The current seemed a bit too strong, so I tried doing a sponge baffle. I bought a car-washing sponge from my local Dollar Store and while it worked for the first day, it really isn't doing its job anymore. The betta appears to be struggling a lot.

Are there any other baffling methods? Or was my big mistake in buying the wrong type of sponge?

I really want a happy, healthy fish!

[TonyK]

You might want to try using a sponge made for aquarium use. A car sponge seems softer compared to an aquarium sponge. Is the filter a hang on back type filter? If so you can also put a sponge on the intake tube.

[Lion Mom]

First, I would spend the money and get an actual aquarium sponge - AquaClear & Imagine are two brands.

Second, pull the sponge down for less flow.

Hope that helps! :)

[PewPewPew]

I agree with both on this! I tend to shove a bit of sponge into my intake as well as baffle, because sometimes the sponge alone won't cut it.

My filter is very strong, so I feel the baffle pain, lol!