[TheBlur]

I'm going to the store today to get a 10gallon to divide for 2 betta boys.

Here are the ones I'm choosing between

http://www.petsmart.com/fish/aquari...-catid-300013?var_id=36-17595&_t=pfm=category

and

http://www.petsmart.com/fish/aquari...-catid-300013?var_id=36-16825&_t=pfm=category

The second one comes WITH an internal filter and is the same price as the first.

QUESTIONS:

1. Does the great choice 10 gallon internal filter work well for betts? (is the flow gentle enough)
2. If NOT, have you found it easy to make a baffle for?
3. Should I spend a little more and get a better filter?


Things to note:
each boy will be getting a moss ball and silk plants along a DIY divider. I'm also planning for sand substrate bedding.

 

[RussellTheShihTzu]

While I can't speak to your exact questions, I like using a filter on each side of my 10. I have IF-202 internal filters from www.truaqua.com but a lot of people like the Azoo HOB.

 

[Taylor9424]

I actually have the Grreat Choice 10 gallon. I think it's a really good deal, but I have a few issues with it. The filter that comes with it isn't the greatest for fish, especially bettas. It's kind of hard to explain, but the intake is right at the bottom (almost like slits in the plastic). I had a fish (danio) get sucked up right into it and stuck After that, the filter stopped working so I had to get a different one. The lights in it give the water a yellow tint, but I know that it is easy to change the light bulbs. I haven't bothered because it doesn't really bother me. Lastly, the hood makes kind of a humming noise until I smack it. LOL It buzzes and only stops briefly when I hit the top.

All in all, the Grreat Choice isn't horrible. I don't recommend the filter though, so the Top Fin might be a better choice and higher quality. Hope this helped!

 

[TheBlur]

I actually have the Grreat Choice 10 gallon. I think it's a really good deal, but I have a few issues with it. The filter that comes with it isn't the greatest for fish, especially bettas. It's kind of hard to explain, but the intake is right at the bottom (almost like slits in the plastic). I had a fish (danio) get sucked up right into it and stuck After that, the filter stopped working so I had to get a different one. The lights in it give the water a yellow tint, but I know that it is easy to change the light bulbs. I haven't bothered because it doesn't really bother me. Lastly, the hood makes kind of a humming noise until I smack it. LOL It buzzes and only stops briefly when I hit the top.

All in all, the Grreat Choice isn't horrible. I don't recommend the filter though, so the Top Fin might be a better choice and higher quality. Hope this helped!

Thanks for the warnings! :O

I'm going to be putting my full grown male bettas in here, and no smaller fish, so they should be ok with the size of the intake area.

Because of your helpful cautions I've tested the hood for strange noises/bad lighting. Yes, the lights are a little yellowish but I don't plan on using the lights too much anyways since I get great natural light in my apartment. No noises! So so far the hood is ok.

OMG THE FILTER IS HUGE. @[email protected] One of my bettas is significantly bigger than the other, so I'll be giving the bigger one the filter and a little MORE room to swim than the other... I'll also put a thin sponge over the bottom where the intake on the filter is just to make sure no one gets stuck.

Thanks so much!

 

[Taylor9424]

Yeah I figured the noise thing was probably just something mine does. Lucky me, lol! And yes it is quite a filter! The sponge over the bottom is a good idea. My little danio just got wedged in one of the slits Overall though it's a pretty good deal for the whole set up! Glad I could help!

 

[aselvarial]

I have the Grreat Choice one too! The only thing I hate about the filter, is the freaking suction cups. If they ever come out, there is no getting them back in! And the little hang over the back piece sucks. I had mine divided and I had that on one side (with a water bottle baffle) and a sponge filter on the other. It seemed to work fine.

 

[TheBlur]

Yeah I knew I only wanted 1 filter. I put the filter on one side with the thermometer and the heater on the other, lined the divider with silk plants as best I could.

The Great Choice filter seems to have a pretty low flow... its not causing much of a water disturbance at all in my tank compared to my TopFin Internal Filter 10 in my other 10 gallon. ITS JUST SO BIG! D8

Very quiet though, so...we'll see how the fish like it. If the intake/flow is too rough I'll be removing it and buying a new filter/selling this one. (which has 4 suction cups for sticking to the side both under water and above water!) Its got a ROUGH output flow though x.x I had to rig it to spray up in the air to lessen the flow XD (worked well, but way more noisy.)

Thanks for the help guys!

While we're at it, does anyone have any filter favorites for 10 gallons?

 

[Seki]

I have that kit! I never used the filter, so I can't comment on that. Mine does the same humming noise, though, so I have to position the hood very carefully to make sure it doesn't hum. It's in my bedroom, so the humming would keep me up if I didn't take care of it.

I used an Aqueon QuietFlow 20 in my tank because I wanted extra filtration for my sorority. It's wonderful, I love that filter. Very quiet and keeps my tank crystal clear! I also have an Aqueon QuietFlow 10 for my 5.5 gallon and it's great. Crystal clear water, minimal noise, and it doesn't seem to bother my guppies. I'm a big fan of Aqueon products in general~

 

[TheBlur]

I'm a big fan of Aqueon products in general~

All of my heaters are Aqueon! I should look into their other products too..