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Betta tank filter maintenance
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2025 5:54 pm
by luna4
How often do you guys clean your betta tank filters? I've got a sponge filter in a 5 gallon, and it's been running for about a month. Not sure if I should rinse it yet or wait longer.
Re: Betta tank filter maintenance
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2025 6:00 pm
by fishdish
I usually rinse mine every 4-6 weeks, but it depends on your tank's bio load. If you've got a lot of plants or just one fish, you can probably stretch it. Just use tank water, not tap, to keep the good bacteria.
Re: Betta tank filter maintenance
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2025 6:10 pm
by estra
fishdish wrote: ↑Tue Jun 03, 2025 6:00 pm
I usually rinse mine every 4-6 weeks, but it depends on your tank's bio load. If you've got a lot of plants or just one fish, you can probably stretch it. Just use tank water, not tap, to keep the good bacteria.
Exactly this. Also, if your water's cloudy or the flow slows down, that's a sign it's time. What kind of sponge filter are you using?
Re: Betta tank filter maintenance
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2025 7:57 pm
by roadside
I've got the same setup, 5 gallon with a sponge. I rinse mine every 3 weeks 'cause my guy's a messy eater. Just squeeze it in a bucket of tank water during water changes. Easy peasy.
Re: Betta tank filter maintenance
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2025 9:08 pm
by luna4
Thanks for the tips! I'll check the flow and maybe rinse it next water change. It's a basic double sponge filter, nothing fancy.
Re: Betta tank filter maintenance
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2025 11:06 pm
by fishdish
Double sponge's great, gives more surface area for bacteria. Just don't overclean it, or you'll crash your cycle. Learned that the hard way last year, ha.
Re: Betta tank filter maintenance
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2025 12:22 am
by estra
Yeah, crashing the cycle's a nightmare. I test my water weekly just to be safe. Ammonia spikes are no joke with bettas.
Re: Betta tank filter maintenance
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2025 2:08 am
by roadside
estra wrote: ↑Wed Jun 04, 2025 12:22 am
Yeah, crashing the cycle's a nightmare. I test my water weekly just to be safe. Ammonia spikes are no joke with bettas.
For real. My first betta got fin rot from a mini cycle. Now I'm paranoid and test every few days.
Re: Betta tank filter maintenance
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2025 3:39 am
by fishdish
Same here, man. Better safe than sorry. Also, if you're rinsing the sponge, give it a gentle squeeze, don't scrub. Those bacteria colonies are delicate little things.