New Betta - filter question?

I am a school teacher and received a betta fish as a Christmas gift from one of my students. I have him in a 2.5 gallon tank with 2 live plants and a cave-like decoration. This tank was made for a goldfish and has a filter that creates a bit of a current. I have it turned down a slow as it will go, but he still seems to try to stay on the opposite side of the tank or above the filter. My question is, would it be OK to run the filter just part of the time? Or do I need to leave it running constantly? I have been turning it off when I feed him and leaving it off during the night, and then turning it back on in the morning. Is that OK?

New Betta - filter question?
First off I must say that a 2.5 gallon tank is NOT appropriate for a goldfish. Fancy goldfish need a minimum 10 gallon tank with an excellent filter. Single tail goldfish are best suited for ponds.





Betta don't like current, so I say that, yes, it is absolutley "ok" to run the filter only "part time".





I do strongly recommend a heater for your betta. Bettas need water in the 75F - 85F degree range as they are native to sun-baked waters of rice paddies.
Reply:Do you have an undergravel or hangin on back of tank filter?





You didn't cycle the aquarium, did you?





Google "fish tank cycling", because otherwise, you'll end up killing your present.....





Plus, you will want to get him a heater, because I'm sure your school isn't heated as warmly at night - and they do not do well in cool water....at all
Reply:You can really just take it out, betta's arent dirty fish as long as you keep up with very regular frequent water changes. or another option for your small tank is a sponge filter, http://www.aquariumguys.com/aquarium-spo... I personally loooove them! I have them in all my tanks. also maybe a corner / box filter http://www.csupomona.edu/~jskoga/Aquariu...


http://www.aquariumguys.com/clearfree.ht...
Reply:The true is that you do not need the filter for such a tank, the current cause stress in Bettas. Thats why he try to avoid it, by been in the oposite and above the filter. And about the cave, make sure it doesnt have sharp edges that can damage the fins of the fish.
Reply:he will be fine. the filter not only filters but it creats bubbles for air. i would suggest putting him in a 5 gal. tank because thats kind of small. alot of people say that they can live in a small tank but thats not good for them. do some research. you can also get at me by email or messenger if u want.
Reply:you really dont need a filter for a small tank. i used to have a betta and it didnt have a filter. it will live with out one. betta fish like calm still water. they dont like a rumbling noise. if you were going to have a filter id get one for a 5 gallon tank.
Reply:The filter is actually not even necessary for a betta fish. They get 90% of their oxygen from the surface. They don't need the aeration. However if you don't run it, then that means that you must clean the tank more often. I would just run it part of the time. It won't hurt to only run it some of the time. Honestly I would sell the filter and get a heater. Room temperature water can shave years off of their life. They prefer water in the high 70s or very very low 80s.
Reply:For such a small tank, you don't even need a filter as long as you're diligent about doing 100% water changes once or twice a week. Since bettas can breath air from the surface, they don't need the aeration provided by the filter. I'd take it out entirely. The plants will help remove waste too.





You DO need a heater, however, since bettas are tropical fish. Hydor makes a good 7.5 watt heater that wiould be perfect.





Oh, and for the record, 2.5 gallons is far too small for a goldfish! O_O Fancy goldfish require at least 10 gallons as a bare minimum, and single-tail varieties need 50+ gallons! It really is a shame that companies market such tiny tanks for goldfish when all it will do is doom them to an early death.



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