Betta fish are known to be a beginner-friendly species of fish since they are easy to take care of, don’t need a bigger tank to survive, and usually fit in smaller tanks. They can be taken care of in 10 to 30 gallons of tanks and usually display a colorful array of fins.
See also:
In line with this, you may be looking for the best filter for betta fish. After all, you just can’t expect yourself to keep on replacing the water all the time to keep your fish clean, right?
Chemicals that are toxic to your fish, such as ammonia, will stay in place if you keep the water stagnant for days without using an aquarium filter! This is why a tank filter can be important for fishkeeping.
Top 5 Best Betta Fish Tanks Filters
Here are our top picks for the best filter for betta fish:
Upettools Aquarium Filter
If you want a simple filter that does the job well for your betta fish, this one could do the trick.
It is a sponge filter that doesn’t suck up little fish, so it’s good for beginners.
Since it is a sponge filter, it can bring your tank beneficial bacteria, which you can use to naturally filter your fish tank since they eat up algae.
It has a total of 5 layers in its design – perfect for most small to medium-sized tanks up to 15 gallons. The sponge filter also comes with its own set of suction cups so you can install it on the fly.
You only need an air pump to make this work, much like with other sponge filters, as well as optional filter media inside.
Things We Liked
- Can generate beneficial bacteria
- Easy to install
- Gentle suction
- Telescoping tube
- Allows you to choose your own filter media
Things We Didn’t Like
- Doesn’t come with an air pump
- May not hold a lot of filter media
Aquaneat Aquarium Bio Sponge Filter
Yet another set of bio sponges, this one comes in a set of 3. The sponges measure 2 x 4.75 inches each and they can be used for tanks up to 10 gallons in size.
Aside from the betta fish, it may also work well for other small fish species, such as the dwarf cichlid.
Just connect it to an air pump and install an airline and it is good to go. It can provide your tank with sufficient biological filtration (beneficial bacteria) so it’s fine for most beginner betta tanks.
The sponges can be cleaned within a span of every 2 to 4 weeks and can be replaced every 3 to 6 months of usage.
Things We Liked
- Comes in a 3-pack per set
- Okay for smaller fish species
- Generates beneficial bacteria
- Non-obtrusive design
- Easy to clean
Things We Didn’t Like
- Doesn’t come with an air pump
- May not be as powerful as HOB filters
AZOO Aquarium Mignon Filter 60
As a filter that is meant for a HOB or hangs on the back design, this one has a quiet motor that is easy to maintain.
It also packs a small footprint so it doesn’t get in the way of your fish (or your aquatic plants, for that matter). Since it is a hang-on-back filter, it can be easy to install.
Aside from betta fish, you can also use it for other species, such as cichlid, goldfish, algae eaters, bottom feeders, and even snails.
It can be used for tanks as small as 3.5 gallons. Simply put, if you have a very small tank, this one would be a great betta fish filter to try.
Things We Liked
- Quiet design
- Adjustable flow control
- Great for small tanks
- Okay for small fish species
- Has a pre-filter to avoid fish sucking
Things We Didn’t Like
- The instructions were quite unclear
- The included sponges may not be that good in quality
Marina I25 Internal Filter
Most people will tell you that Marina is one of the most trusted brands in the world of fish keeping.
Marina’s I25 internal filter is great for betta fish tanks up to 6.6 gallons in size.
It has odor-reducing features so it can be useful for cleaning up your tank and also reducing the foul smell.
The cartridge of this internal filter is quite easy to change and it even comes with a free power cartridge when you buy it.
The clip-on design makes the filter a breeze to install and it is also fully submersible. The motor of this filter is also quiet.
Things We Liked
- Clip-on design
- Fully submersible
- Easy installation
- Trusted brand
- Removes foul odor
- Quiet motor
Things We Didn’t Like
- The flow may be too gentle for some tanks
- A bit tall for some tanks
Aquapapa Corner Filter Air Driven
Yet another sponge filter, this one would work well if you have a slightly larger tank and you want filters on the four corners to help keep a balanced ecosystem inside your fish tank.
This one is great for fish breeding since it doesn’t suck up babies due to its gentle flow.
This tank filter is a combination of physical and biochemical filtration since it has bio-sponge and ceramic rings for the colonization of beneficial bacteria while the mechanical filtration is through its filter pad or sponge.
As a complete setup, this air-driven sponge filter can be used on tanks up to 20 gallons in size.
Things We Liked
- Physical and biochemical filtration
- Complete setup
- Gentle flow for baby fish
- Quiet filtration
- Good for spreading beneficial bacteria
Things We Didn’t Like
- Could be hard to find custom-fit filter pads
Things to Consider
In choosing the best filter for betta fish, here are some criteria:
Why should I buy a filter for a betta fish tank?
Bettas are fish and like all species that reside underwater, they have needs to attend to so that they live healthily. Here are some benefits of betta tank filters:
- Fewer water changes. Betta fish, like all fish, require frequent water changes. If you don’t want the hassle of having to attend to your little ones, go get a filter so that your fish will stay clean and free from ammonia and other unnecessary waste buildups which can be toxic to them.
- Beneficial bacteria. As most betta fish filters are a sponge filter, they can help spread beneficial bacteria. Such bacteria can eat up algae and create a good ecosystem inside your fish tank so that your little betta fish can grow healthy.
- Oxygen-filling. It fills up and aerates your tank with its pumping circulation, which can also keep your fish healthy and well.
- Removes ammonia. Most people know that ammonia is toxic to fish, so it should be eliminated from your fish tank water. A convenient way to do it without water changes is to use a filter.
- Healthy betta fish. Most of these fish will keep themselves healthy when they live and thrive in a stable water environment, with the right temperature and cleanliness.
How do I choose the best tank filter for betta fish?
Here are things you may want to look for in a betta fish filter:
- Easy replacement of cartridges. Look for one that doesn’t take you forever in replacing the cartridge or filter media.
- Low flow rate. It should be low enough not to suck up or blow your betta fish away!
- Combination of mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration. Sponge filters can be the best option for these, although, for chemical filtration, you may also want to look into internal or HOB filters.
- Know what filter media it needs. Know if it needs bio-balls, ceramic rings, and the like, so you can easily know what to buy from the store.
- Is the size just right? Some filters can be too tall and some could be obtrusive to your fish.
Why should I get my betta fish a sponge filter?
Sponge filters are the usual ways to filter out a betta tank. Here are some of its benefits:
- Gentle filtration. Sponge filters usually don’t blow away your betta fish if you set it at the lowest setting.
- Great for beginners. They are also easier to set up and maintain for those who are new to fish keeping.
- Biological filtration. They can provide your tank with beneficial algae eaters.
- A supplemental filter. You can use them alongside your main filters, such as a HOB or internal filter.
- Easy to clean. Sponge filters typically take less time to clean than other types.
Conclusion
Our top pick for the best filter for betta fish is the Upettools Aquarium Filter because it can generate beneficial bacteria, it is easy to install, and it has a gentle suction. A plus point is also the telescoping tube and it also allows you to choose your own filter media.
While it does require an air pump and it may not hold a lot of filter media, the tank filter looks fine for beginners as well as those who just want a betta fish filter.
Best Filter for 10 Gallon Tank
Best Canister Filter for Aquarium 2020 Reviews
Best Filter for 100 Gallon Aquarium 2020
5 Best HOB Filters 2021 Reviews