The 12 Best Filter For Betta: Reviews & Buyer’s Guide 2022

Whether you are thinking about setting up a new betta fish tank or you already own one and is considering some new filtration options, this article is for you. One of the major parts of fish keeping is taking good care of the fishes. Remember, the betta’s tank is their world, hence you need to provide an ideal habitat, as well as the proper water constraint in keeping them healthy and happy. To help you find the best filter for betta fish tank, we have put together a rough guide.

First, we will explain why filters are important, then we will examine what the important factors that you should consider in purchasing one before we finally reveal our top picks for the best filter for betta.

Do you want to know the best filter for betta? Read on!

Do You Need A Filter For Your Betta Tank?

There are some people who think that betta fish do not need any filter in their tank, as they have the capacity to come into the surface of the water and breath oxygen coming from the air. Even though this is true, it does not mean that the betta does not need any filtration system at all, as aquarium filters can do more than just putting oxygen in the tank water.

Here are some reasons why betta tanks need a filtration system:

• Betta fish kept in an aquarium with filters commonly tend to be live longer and healthier.
• Since the male betta fish should live on their own, they are frequently kept in dense aquariums with no filtration, and it might be difficult to keep small tanks sufficiently clean.
• If you opt for a model with a biological filtration system, it can provide a place for essential bacteria to live –that improves the water quality and assist in creating a well-balanced ecosystem.
• Filters, which provide chemical filtration systems assist in getting rid of the harmful chemicals in the water, just like nitrates and ammonia.
• Aquarium filters also get rid of debris and dirt, just as fish waste and leftover food from the tank, thus keeping the water much cleaner.
• While the betta fish may survive in inadequately oxygenated water, they grow well when there is more oxygen.

Important Factors To Consider

There are a lot of different kinds of filter available, all of them has different characteristics. So what filter features matter for your betta? Below, we will highlight the most important factors that you should consider when choosing a filter.

Flow Power

The betta fish do best if the aquarium filter has a low flow power. Or else, they tend to get hit around by the currents made by high-powered filters –and that may cause stress to the fish. You should purchase a betta filter that is of low output rate so it will not create any current. If your filter is adjustable, you may simply adjust its flow rate.

Effectiveness and Durability

Needless to say but your filter should be effective. If it doesn’t keep the water in the aquarium clean enough, then it is not up for the job. Of course, the last thing that you do not want is for your filter to be temperamental or break down. You should pick one that is from a trusted brand, which is well-made and is known to be reliable and durable.

Size of the Aquarium

Filters are made for aquariums of particular sizes, hence you make certain that the one you will purchase is not too big or too small for the size of your tank. Bear in mind that using multiple small filters is way better than choosing a larger one. Using multiple filters may minimize the current that the betta needs to fight against and improve the whole filtration of the aquarium.

Media Access

Most of the filtration media should be cleaned or replaced regularly, so it will make your life easier if it is easily accessible and simple to change every type of media without even disturbing any others. If you opt for filters that accept particular cartridges, ensure that they are easy to find.

Easy to Use

If you think you need to get a technician just to make your aquarium filter work, something is definitely not right. The best filter for betta should be easy to use. You need to purchase one that is simple to set-up, install, and get running.

Top 12  Best Filter for Betta

From here, we list and discuss our top 12 picks of all the models available on the market today. There is guaranteed to be one to suit your needs!

Aqua Clear Fish Tank Filter

If you are searching for a filter that is easy to use and effective for you betta fish, this is the model for you. This filter offers biological, mechanical and chemical filtration. Further, with its very own refiltration system, the water comes into more contact with the media for much more effective filtration.

Even though the amount of water flow that it produces at full output rate is too powerful for betta fish, you might adjust the output to a much more comfortable setting for your betta. Plus, this is a sturdy and well-built filtration system, which seems to be long-lasting and reliable, as stated by fish keepers who have tried using it.

WHAT WE LIKE

• Provides very effective filtration
• The flow speed is easily adjustable
• Fits seven times more filtration media than the like models

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE

• Needs manual filling before restarting or starting
• Not the quietest option

Aqueon Quietflow Internal Power Filter

This is an effective betta filter, which provides three-stage filtration –mechanical, chemical, and biological. The mere fact that it provides all the three forms of filtration means that it can do an excellent job in keeping the water in the aquarium clean.

Reliable and well-built, this model comes with a limited lifetime warranty that speaks for its quality. You may also be able to adjust its flow rate, flow height, and flow direction –that just means that it is easily adjustable in order to fit the needs of your betta fish.

Even though it is easy to set up, you’ll need to remove it entirely from the tank and then open it up to change the cartridges, which hold the media.

WHAT WE LIKE

• Offers three forms of filtration –chemical, biological, and mechanical
• Highly modifiable flow output
• Extremely quiet

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE

• Cannot use your own media –only the Aqueon cartridges
• Difficult to change the filter media

Zoo Med Nano 10 External Canister Filter

This is a small canister filter, which is greatly effective and efficient. It actually provides biological, chemical, and mechanical filtration for optimal water quality. If you are in the search of a reliable and durable product, which is not likely to break down easily, this is a great choice. It may cost a bit more than some of the alternatives, yet it’s worth the cost.

As for its output rate, this is now where the options start to differ. Unluckily, the Zoo Med Nano 10  is not adjustable, hence it is power or nothing. Some users say that it creates very few water flow, while others claim that it is too strong for the betta fish, except they do something in diffusing the water from the output.

Since the filter sits outside of the aquarium, rather than being submerged in the water, it is quite simple to change its media.

WHAT WE LIKE

• Easy to use and set up
• Extremely quiet
• Provides efficient biological, chemical, and mechanical filtration

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE

• Not the cheapest option
• No flow adjustment

Penn Plax Cfu55Ug Filter

This betta aquarium filter is a good choice for those who want an under gravel type of filter that will suit smaller tanks. It might be effective, yet it is only as good as the substrate that you choose in filtering the water through.

Though some users claim that the water flow is a nice level for a betta tank, others would actually disagree. It is really contingent on the air pump that you choose to use –the lesser powerful, the better, where the bettas are concerned.

Nonetheless, it seems to be a reliable and solid choice. Further, they are also easy to set up if it is your first time to set up a tank, yet they’re somewhat impossible to add into an existing tank. This is because they tend to go substrate, wherein you should start with an empty tank, put the plate at the bottom of the tank, and then place the substrate at the top before you fill it with water.

WHAT WE LIKE

• Inexpensive
• Silent
• Needs only a little maintenance

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE

• Can create too much water flow
• You will need to vacuum the substrate in order to remove the debris
• No chemical filtration

AZOO Aquarium Mignon Filter 60

Even though this betta aquarium filter is not the most effective, when you use the media that it has, you may easily replace it with your choice of media to get more than enough efficacy for a dense aquarium. Just as any HOBs, this is also stress-free to set up, as well as easy to clean and change the media inside of it.

Furthermore, the flow rate is simply adjustable, hence if it is very strong, on full power, you may turn it down easily to make calmer water for the bettas. We would not say that this is the most reliable and durable filter available in the market –it is more of a budget kind of model –yet it is greatly inexpensive.

WHAT WE LIKE

• Adjustable flow rate
• Runs very quietly
• Space to use filter media of your choice

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE

• Needs to be refilled manually after switching off
• The media included is not effective

Tetra Whisper In-Tank Filter

This great filter is ideal for small betta aquarium (up to 10 gallons). The installation is very simple since it mounts through the inside of the aquarium using either two suction cups or a hanger.

There are two benefits to having this inside the tank. First, you may push the tank flush against the wall as there is nothing to get in the way. Second, it is amazingly quiet as the model is underwater.

Furthermore, to keep the water on the tank clean, it uses 3-stage filtration.

WHAT WE LIKE

• Offers three forms of filtration –chemical, biological, and mechanical
• Highly modifiable flow output
• Extremely quiet

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE

• Falls off the hook
• Difficult to change the filter media

Penn Plax Cascade Hang-On Aquarium Filter

This betta fish tank filter may cycle 20 gallons of water each hour and is ideal for a small tank up to 7 gallons. It also has a hang-on design, which essentially slides at the edge of the aquarium glass.

There is also a built-in razing device in it, which keeps the filter in position, as well as the intake pipe is extendable, hence you may place it near the bottommost of the aquarium if you want. Bettas will love the adjustable flow rate of this model, which allows you to slowing down the filter a bit when it’s time for feeding.

WHAT WE LIKE

• Offers chemical, biological, and mechanical filtration
• Highly adjustable flow output
• Exceptionally quiet

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE

• Not really durable
• Not the quietest option

Deep Blue Professional AVDB887000 Biomaxx Nano Filter

This is a great option for betta fish tank filter if you are searching for a hang-on style filter. It may filter up to 16 gallons each hour and is actually meant for small aquariums up to 5.5 gallons. The filter may allow you in adjusting the flow speed and possesses a non-compulsory intake extension tube so you may pull water from the bottom of the aquarium if you want.

This also features a 2-stage filtration system. The first is the poly-fiber mechanical filter, which catches waste and large debris. It’s also essential for biological colonies to grow so microorganisms may remove the harmful nitrates and ammonia.

WHAT WE LIKE

• Adjustable flow rate
• Runs very quietly
• Has an intake extension tube to pull water from the bottom of the tank

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE

• Only includes 2-stage filtration
• No chemical filtration for the re-balance of the water chemistry

Marina Power Filter

This is a hanging filter that has a compact design, which is perfect for aquariums up to 10 gallons. It is also very easy to install –you will not need to prime it.

Further, it is also a quiet model, as its motor is submerged in the water, which by the way comes with an adjustable flow so you may find the best speed for your fish. They also have strained sponge, which is ideal for any debris or smaller bettas from being dragged in the filter.

WHAT WE LIKE

• Adjustable flow rate
• Easy to maintain
• Self-priming
• Power filter for aquariums to 10 gallons

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE

• Filter cartridges too thin
• Water not forced to go into each chamber

Fluval External Filter

This betta fish tank filter can easily be customized to match betta needs as strictly as possible. Further, it features all three filtration stages. In fact, its biological and chemical stages use different media to be changed out independently.

The canister is also designed with a sound-reducing impeller so you will barely know it is there when you aren’t hanging out media. Its dual-layer foam screen and intake screener also help in drastically reducing the incidence of clogs.

WHAT WE LIKE

• Amazingly silent
• Multi-stage filtration for healthy, clean aquarium water
• Needs only a little maintenance

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE

• Can create too much water flow
• Some models leak profusely

Lee’s 40/55 Premium Under-Gravel Filter

This is an inexpensive under-gravel filter is an ideal choice for betta fish tank, as it uses a single plate, which is capable of distributing the inflow current across the whole base of the tank.

Additionally, the siphons are well designed in output water all the way through the surface of the tank so the impact of the current outflow on the betta fish will be as minimal as possible. For its filtration, it has activated carbon add-ons, which may be attached to the outflow tubing.

WHAT WE LIKE

• Amazingly silent
• An amazingly efficient filtration system
• Lesser maintenance

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE

• Not user-friendly, as the instructions aren’t clear
• Cheap materials

Koller Products TOM Aquarium Internal Power Filter

This versatile and small filter is designed particularly for small tanks less than 10 gallons in volume. Its outflow is distributed across its 10 nozzles across to reduce the current, which the betta fish feels, and then the filter may be pointed in wherever direction you want it to be within the aquarium to minimize the impact on the fish further.

Also, the flow rate of its filter may easily be adjustable to match the size of the tank. Its filtration media is a dense foam that has activated carbon that delivers a degree of the three filtration stages.

WHAT WE LIKE

• Offers three phases of filtration –chemical, biological, and mechanical filtration
• Highly modifiable flow output
• Amazingly quiet

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE

• Not really durable
• Inconsistent operation

Conclusion

When it comes to filtration, the best filter is the one that works so well for you, your bettas, your individual circumstances, as well as your tank. Mechanical, chemical biological or a combination of the three phases of filtration –it is all up to you.

All the filters above are of high quality and are suitable for betta tanks. We never recommend or discuss equipment or models unfit for purpose or that’ll not work so well. Nonetheless, if we have picked a top choice for the roundup, we would say the winner is the Aqua Clear Power Filter –it incredibly works, very famous, and liked by a lot of previous and current users, has multiple filtration stages, is available for tanks from 5-110 gallons, and commonly speaks just all around the good.

Enjoy your fish keeping!