Lees filters?

[Kaylithin]

I'm in the market for a new filter for my 2 1/2 gallon betta tank. The filter flow of my current one is for some reason not very great at all, and there don't seem to be any blockages. I'm always on pins and needles when I look for new filter since some of the ones that advertise for small things really aren't and they tend to buffet a betta around. One of my friends recommended getting an undergravel filter and I found one for my tank size at the local pet shop, I don't know if it's good quality. It certainly cheap. It's Lee's brand. Anyone know anything about them or have a good recommendation for a filter for my tank size?

[wendyjo]

This is what I use in my 2.5g tanks:

http://www.petco.com/product/13796/Hagen-Elite-Mini-Underwater-Filter.aspx

Works great.

[Kaylithin]

interesting. Does it have biological filtration, or just activated carbon?

[ShieldWolf]

It looks like the sponge acts as both the mechanical & biological filtration. That being the case one would clean the sponge using tank water to be discarded during a water change so as to not kill off the beneficial bacteria living in there.

[Kaylithin]

Maybe I will go with that instead. I use a Hagen mini heater, and it's been great, so I like the brand.

[wendyjo]

Yeah the sponge is for mechanical and bio filtration and will last forever.  If i need to use carbon I found some carbon pads that I just cut to fit and add in with the sponge.  The outflow is adjustable in that you can adjust the outflow itself as well as the angle of it.  And they are small and don't take up much space in the tank at all and you could hide it behind a plant or something if ya wanted.I never could get the venturis to work right so I just tossed them. 

[wendyjo]

Also if you have some sponge in your old filter you could just cut it to fit and put it inside the new one and then you have an instant cycle. 

[Kaylithin]

so I got the Hagen Elite. It is quite a nice little filter, but I'm a little concerned about the flow. I know it's adjustable, but even the low setting on the green dial might be a little much for a large finned betta. Is there any way to fix this?

[wendyjo]

I just aim mine towards a tank wall.  If your filter is in the center of the tank and aiming it towards a wall isnt an option then you could put a large plant next to it to break up the flow a bit.  Really my bettas have no problems with them - they should get used to it and get a bit stronger, and eventually the flow will slow down some as the filter gunks up a bit. I've used them with at least 6 different males in small 2.5g tanks with no issues.