Filter Suggestions/ 10 gal Suggestions

672 Views 11 Replies 9 Participants Last post by RussellTheShihTzu, Jan 15, 2016

mronan

Discussion Starter · Jan 11, 2016

Hello!

I am looking for any suggestions you all may have about filters, decor, or anything regarding setting up at 10 gal tank.

This will be my very first time working with a filter, so I want to make sure I do everything right. I got the tank from my brother and he also gave me a heater and filter to go along with it.

The filter is (I believe) an Aqueon QuietFlow 10. I am unsure of the brand of heater, but it looks similar to the one I have for my 2.5 gal.

Is this filter any good? I kinda want to get a new one anyway due to its "grimy-ness" I've read almost everywhere that bettas need a more gentle filter, but I'm not sure if this is "gentle" enough.
I read a few things about Tetra Whisper 10i.
Keeping it cheaper would be great too.

Please help me out!

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kitkat67

· #2 · Jan 11, 2016

Hello, I would recommend a double sponge filter for your ten gallon. The sponge is great for establishing bacteria and the gentle flow is perfect for a betta.

http://www.amazon.com/XY-2822-Double-Sponge-Filter-Aquarium/dp/B005VAFGKI
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009YJ4N6/ref=twister_B00DZF8YQE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I love sponge filters because they really help out with breaking down waste and ammonia which are dangerous to fish. I actually had both this sponge filter and the Whisper 10i in my 10 gallon (bacteria colony:sponge filter, larger waste+water movement:whisper).

As for other decorations, live plants are the best, but beginners should start out with easy plants or live plants/silk plants combo. Avoid hard plastic plants that can injure your betta. I have betta hammocks for my fish and they love sleeping on them.
http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Laboratories-AZMBL20-Hammock/dp/B0027IZ6KW/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1452534088&sr=1-1&keywords=betta+hammock

As for your heater, if it looks similar in size to the one you use in a 2.5 tank, it might not be powerful enough to heat a 10 gallon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OQO69Q?keywords=fish%20heater&qid=1452534176&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

And lastly, if you don't already have one, invest in a cave or other hiding place for your betta to make him feel more secure! Happy fishkeeping!

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Npinja

· #3 · Jan 11, 2016

I would recommend the Hydor Theo or EHEIM Jager heaters as they are very popular among aquarium hobbyists and both have great reviews. As for the filter, I recommend the Aquaclear by Fluval Hang On Back filters. Most people who have used it have positive reviews about it and it is one of the best power filters on the market. For the heater, you should probably be getting a 100 watt for a 10 gallon tank. For the filter, the Aquaclears come in 30 gallon, 50 gallon, 70 gallon, and 110 gallon sizes. You can decide on a size based on personal choice.

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mronan

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 11, 2016

The heater I have is a good one, but thank you.

It's just the filter I'm worried about. Thank you for the recommendations!

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RussellTheShihTzu

· #5 · Jan 12, 2016

I absolutely love this filter series. These two will work for a 10 gallon. I would get the 204. Turn the spray bar to the tank wall and you still have current....which I believe is essential for a healthy habitat...but your Betta won't be buffeted round. I use this filter in varying sizes in all of my aquariums. Free Shipping.

If want to add other media just cut the sponge. I have been using the oldest one for four years and the sponge is still like new.

http://www.truaqua.com/aquarium-internal-filter-if-204.html

http://www.truaqua.com/aquarium-internal-filter-if-203.html

BTW, my Giant has humongous fins. He has no problem with the IF in his tank. It may even be the IF203.

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mronan

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 12, 2016

Thank you so much for your input! I really appreciate it!

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Sadist

· #7 · Jan 12, 2016

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009V3UGDS?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00 is the sponge filter that I've been using. It's rated for up to 15 gallons. It does have bubbles come out of the wider tube at the top, and I point those at the tank wall to minimize noise. Some tall plants next to it can hide the bulky shape.

That said, I really love those IF series that Russel has pointed out. I chose poopy tankmates, and they clogged mine up and made it rattle. No amount of cleaning would get it to stop rattling, and it eventually stopped working. If you end up getting tank mates with this filter, make sure you clean it every week instead of every month!

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Alexguitar84

· #8 · Jan 15, 2016

I used a double sponge filter for about a year and while it works great and is super easy to clean it always bugged me aesthetically. So... I went and picked up a sun sun canister filter for about $20 on eBay and i absolutely love it. I happen to have a pretty busy tank as far as livestock goes so this might be a little overkill for you.

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Crash

· #9 · Jan 15, 2016

I have the whisper, 2 of them actually! They're very quiet and the flow isn't too bad as long as the water is filled to the lip. The only thing I don't like is the intake slots. My DTHalfmoon would get his fins stuck in them, but I just put some cloth mesh over it and it was fine.

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BettaStarter24

· #10 · Jan 15, 2016

I have the Tetra Whisper 10i that is sold separately from kits in my 10g with Zuri. I love it. I also have two of the older versions which are adjustable and came with Marineland 5g and 3g crescent kits. (I think they're tetra whispers anyway). The one sold separately is about $14

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NickAu

· #11 · Jan 15, 2016 (Edited)

RussellTheShihTzu said:
I absolutely love this filter series. These two will work for a 10 gallon. I would get the 204. Turn the spray bar to the tank wall and you still have current....which I believe is essential for a healthy habitat...but your Betta won't be buffeted round. I use this filter in varying sizes in all of my aquariums. Free Shipping.

If want to add other media just cut the sponge. I have been using the oldest one for four years and the sponge is still like new.

http://www.truaqua.com/aquarium-internal-filter-if-204.html

http://www.truaqua.com/aquarium-internal-filter-if-203.html

BTW, my Giant has humongous fins. He has no problem with the IF in his tank. It may even be the IF203.

Drilling a few extra holes in the spray bar works wonders in reducing the speed of the water leaving it, You still move the same amount of water but the current is way less.

My short tail betta has no problems with 500 liters per hour turn over in a 70 liter tank. She can easily just hover like bettas do.

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RussellTheShihTzu

· #12 · Jan 15, 2016

NickAu said:
Drilling a few extra holes in the spray bar works wonders in reducing the speed of the water leaving it, You still move the same amount of water but the current is way less.

My short tail betta has no problems with 500 liters per hour turn over in a 70 liter tank. She can easily just hover like bettas do.

This presupposes I can use a drill without doing extensive physical damage.

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