Choosing the right filter for your Betta is the crucial thing. If you have Bettas in your home, then you might know how vital a filter is for Bettas.
According to the query of the Betta owner, they want to know, ” Are sponge filters good for Bettas?”. Yes, sponge filters are not only good for Bettas but also for your pocket. Sponge filters are good for Bettas because they don’t create any current, have gentle flow, excellent surface agitation, and remove ammonia.
To decide whether the sponge filter is the best pick for your Bettas or not, read out the entire article.
Are Sponge Filters Good for Bettas?
Sponge filters are good for Bettas. Small and weak fishes can’t survive strong flow, so sponge filters are the best choice for them.
There are other reasons why sponge filters are good for Bettas; take a look at the below where I included the benefits.
- Bettas can’t tolerate strong streams, so sponge filters are the best for them because they provide gentle flow.
- Sponge filters have adjustable flow rates, so Bettas will not be bothered by the water current created by excess water flotation.
- Sponge filters are also called biological filters because they have excellent surface agitation, which converts ammonia and creates a better place for beneficial bacteria.
- It also gives mechanical filtration when any debris is stuck in the sponge.
- Sponge filters also remove particles from the aquarium water, which benefits your Bettas.
Sponge Filters are not only good for Bettas but also good for its users. As there are other benefits you can enjoy:
- It’s affordable and comes at a meager price.
- Maintenance of this filter is effortless
- You can set it up with other filters.
- When it comes to reliability and long-term use, you don’t have to be concerned.
- Repair and replacement service is also easy with this filter.
So by considering both sides, your sponge filters are a good choice for your Bettas.
Are There Any Disadvantages of a Sponge Filter?
Though sponge filters have many advantages, there are some disadvantages you can’t ignore. Below you will find out those disadvantages.
- First of all, sponge filters don’t provide chemical filtration. Chemical filtration helps you to purify tap water by removing any chemical object. However, it’s not a must for Bettas. But if you do, then you can go for other filters.
- The looks of the sponge filter are not that attractive or aesthetic, which you may not like. But a better arrangement of the aquarium can overcome this issue.
- Sponge filters create water bubbles with some noise that may discomfort you. If those sounds bother you, you can place this outside your bedroom.
As I pointed out the disadvantages of sponge filters, we can see alternative ways to avoid those. Besides, those do not pose any risk to your Bettas, so sponge filters are still a good option for Bettas.
How Do I Set Up a Sponge Filter for Betta Fish?
Step 1: Take Apart of Filter
When you take apart the filter, you will find:
- A clear lift tube.
- A black foam sponge.
- A weighted base at the bottom.
- A strainer inside the sponge with a bullseye on top of it.
Step 2: Add the Airstone
Adding an airstone will benefit your Bettas because it will make the most miniature bubbles and decrease the bubbles’ sounds.
If the strainer or the tube is long enough, you have to cut off the air stone a bit to connect it to the bottom of the bullseye. After that, put the rest of the tube in one end of the lift tube and attach it to the top of the bullseye.
There is another way to add an airstone which will work if your filter is too small for adding an airstone. Through the lift, the tube pulls one end of the airline tube, then through the spokes of the bullseye, thread the tube and connect it with the airstone.
Step 3: Reassemble the Filter
It’s time to reassemble your sponge filter with the parts still left.
Attach the weighted base to the bottom of the strainer by inserting it into the sponge. To build the bullseye, attach a lift tube to the end of the tube. Sponge filters should not be removed from the airline tube at this stage.
Step 4: Place the Filter In the Aquarium
Put the sponge filter in the aquarium and squeeze it more to make more bubbles. If your filter doesn’t drown right away, then the reason must be that your filter gets waterlogged.
Step 5: Install the Air Pump
It’s time to install the air pump in the aquarium. Join the sponge filter to the air pump and position it where you want it to keep. The airline tube should then be shortened to the proper size.
Step 6: Add a Check Valve
A check valve is required; if the sponge is higher than the air pump, it’s necessary to prevent water from siphoning.
It is necessary to cut a few inches of airline tubing outside the aquarium, so it is nearer to the sponge filter. Place a check valve on the banded side and connect it to the pump.
Step 7: Plug In the Pump
The final step is to plug in the pump. The power cable should have a drip loop, so it dips under the plug to prevent water from reaching the outlet.
Watch the video if you’re still having trouble setting your sponge filter for Betta. Visual content will help you to give more details to understand better.
How Does a Betta Sponge Filter Work?
A sponge filter is much better than a regular filter. As it’s also affordable, Bettas owners prefer this more than other filters.
This super affordable filter contains only three parts: airline tubing, an air pump, and a sponge. With these parts, it’s done. It’s all work. The work process of this filter is simple and super effective.
- The filter tubes get the air from the air pump by the airlines.
- When the air passes through the airlines inside, the sponge starts to filter the water. It also helps only clean water reach out of the filter’s top.
- It not only filters the water but also removes the debris and other dirt from the tank.
- It does biological filtration, which helps to grow the nitrifying bacteria, which is much more helpful and less toxic for Betta fish.
- By the mechanical filtering, it also got large debris.
- When the water flows through the sponge, it releases oxygen and gives essential aeration to the fish.
- Sponge Filters are so versatile that you can use them in any aquarium.
How Can I Maintain My Bettas Sponge Filter?
Maintenance of the sponge filter is essential because without maintaining the filter, that could soon be harmful to you, Bettas.
Over time you may notice that the sponge does not look like it before losing its shape and filtration capacity reduces. Sponge filters last about six to ten years, based on your maintenance.
If you properly maintain your sponge filter, it will last long; if you don’t, it may not be helpful like before for your Bettas.
The maintenance of the sponge filter is effortless. What you have to do is:
- Clean your sponge filter every two weeks if possible but don’t clean it more than that.
- Don’t clean your sponge with tap water because it has chlorine in it so that it can kill the bacteria in the sponge. It also decreases the biological filtration capacity of the filter.
- Make sure your sponge is not dry out during the cleaning time because it prevents good microorganisms from growing.
- If the foam is discolored or the shape loses shape, it’s time to replace your sponge filter.
- Don’t rub the sponge with any hard material that will give pores to your sponge; instead, you can give a gentle squeeze to the sponge during cleaning.
Last Words
There are a lot of questions about, ” Are sponge filters good for Bettas?” If you want to know the answer, look down and read those points.
- Sponge Filters give two types of filtration, which offer your Bettas the best aquarium environment.
- They provide a gentle flow that doesn’t create any current.
- The water surface agitation is marvelous.
- By biological filtration, it helps to grow beneficial bacteria that convert the ammonia to nitrite.
- The debris is caught by the mechanical filtration of the sponge filter.
So, in my opinion, sponge filters are an excellent choice for Bettas, but if you’ve any confusion, read the whole post and decide whether the sponge filter is suitable for your Bettas.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do sponge filters keep the water clean?
Sponge filters help to keep the water clean in your aquarium. When water runs through the sponge, it collects all of the dirt.
After trapped debris in the sponge, it passes the rest of the water at the top of the filter. So as it’s trapped all debris, only clean water flows into the aquarium. Maintaining the aquarium’s water quality couldn’t be easier than it.
2. Does a sponge filter clean fish poop?
The water of the aquarium goes through the sponge. When the water goes through the sponge, the sponge catches all the debris like fish poop and passes out the clean water.
So, yes, sponge filters clean the fish poop and keep the aquarium’s water clean.
3. Does a sponge filter release oxygen?
Sponge filters do not release oxygen; instead, they add oxygen to the water at the surface level when the gas exchange increases.
This increased level of gas exchange happens when the popping bubbles rise between aquarium water and the environment.
4. Is a sponge filter enough for a 10-gallon tank?
No, a single sponge filter is not enough for a 10-gallon tank. If you put a sponge filter in that tank, the water will not be properly filtered.
So to keep up your proper filtration in a 10-gallon tank, you should set two sponge filters.
5. How often should I clean Bettas’ sponge filter?
When you bring a new sponge filter, that will work amazingly, and you don’t need to clean it often. For a new sponge filter, you can clean it once a month.
But if you notice a lot of debris in your aquarium or the sponge can’t filter the water properly, you should clean it twice a month. Remember, don’t clean it in direct tap water that will kill the effective bacteria.
