Reddit reviews Tetra Whisper 3i Internal Filter, In-Tank Filtration With Air Pump, for 1-3 Gallon Aquariums

The tetra whisper filters for small tanks are powered by an air pump. You could run one of those.

You could also do a sponge filter or something like this

You could also look into a USB powered pump and use it to rig up some sort of filtration system.

It's a 115V Whisper 3i filter. The air pump connects to the bottom of the intake, so the bubbles push the water up through the filter chamber.

Edit: found the link. http://www.amazon.com/Tetra-Whisper-In-Tank-Filter-3-Gallon/dp/B000HHQ712

From gingercide and my experience...

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Heaters...


Eheim jaeger:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=23726

tetra 50watt
hydor theo:http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11368&t=1&ref=4032&subref=AA&cmpid=PPC-G-4032&gclid=CNWGqee2g80CFclkhgodNxQHdg

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11368&t=1&ref=4032&subref=AA&cmpid=PPC-G-4032&gclid=CNWGqee2g80CFclkhgodNxQHdg

and cobalt neotherms...

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=25673


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Filters

(cheap-air)
whisper 3.1
http://www.amazon.com/Whisper--Tank-Filter-3i-aquariums/dp/B000HHQ712/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464667444&sr=8-1&keywords=whisper+3i

deepblue sponge filters
http://www.amazon.com/Deep-Blue-Professional-30-Ammonia-Submersible/dp/B005DGI3TG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464667502&sr=8-1&keywords=deep+blue+sponge+filter

(Moderate)

aquaclear
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3610

hagen/fluval
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=23459

sunsun hw602 or 603:
http://www.amazon.com/TechnToy-HW-603B-3-Stage-External-Canister/dp/B00CC6SCJQ/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1464667614&sr=8-7&keywords=sunsun

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Tanks:

My personal preference is to fo with a fluval spec tank (spec iii or V) due to the higher quality materials
and use that filter with a spraybar mod that I can explain. Is It's cheap and easy.

http://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/fluval-spec-iii-aquarium-kit-in-black

http://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/fluval-spec-v-aquarium-kit-in-white

These tanks are high quality, as are the filters. You can also hide the heaters.

Marineland has similar tanks in 3 and five gallon versions.

http://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/fish/fish-aquariums-kits/marineland-portrait-glass-led-aquarium-kit

http://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/fish/fish-aquariums-kits/marineland-silhouette-glass-3-gallon-led-aquarium-kit

You might just want to put plastic craft canvas over the intakes to protect the fins. They seem to keep the fish much happier and healthier. Petco is running a special now on shipping and lower price than in-store.

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Food... We use omega one, but it can redden whites due to the salmon.

from what I've researched this is the order:

• 1.Atison's betta pro
  
• 2.New Life Spectrum Betta Pellets
  
• 3.Omega One Betta Buffet Pellets (can cause white fish to fade to pink/red due to the salmon content)
  
• 4.NutraFin Max Color Enhancing Betta Flake Food (need to watch this as it's flake (betta tend to not like), and has fish meal as a main ingredient
  
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  Substrate
  
  I love the black sand, or eco complete if planting, but watch that you give eco six weeks to stabilize, it can affect the water chems.
  
  Fluval has a good substrate as well, just never see it in store.
  
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  online shopping
  
  Good stores online are dr foster and Smith, petco surprisingly, aquabid, Big Als and I think aquarium arts. For decorations, make sure you carefully check for sharp edges, I file down everything. Let me know if you need or want more details

I find a simple, small stream of bubbles is ok as long as it's off in the corner and they have room to get away from it. I have a pretty weak pump on my airstone/decoration thing (2.5 gallon tank) and although I COULD keep it on all day and my betta would be fine, I feel stressed for him so I only turn it on sometimes haha! In my other 2.5 gallon I have a small filter without any filter cartridge in it just to move the water around a bit. That actually works better in my opinion...fish seems less bothered by it than the bubbles...but it IS uglier. I'd say do the airstone and just see how he reacts. :)

Here's the filter I have in my 2.5 gallon. The air pump that comes with this filter is the exact one I use for the airstone in my other 2.5 gallon tank as well. http://www.amazon.com/Tetra-25846-Whisper-BioScrubber-3-Gallon/dp/B000HHQ712

http://www.amazon.com/Tetra-25846-Whisper-BioScrubber-3-Gallon/dp/B000HHQ712
This is what I use in my split 10 gallon on both sides. It doesn't bother the fish.

I like this 3 gallon filter and I use it in my 5 gallon tank - the most annoying part about it is it doesn’t have suction cups, uses a clip, so you’d have to glue on your own suction cups to get it to stay. It’s also a little loud so if your tank is in a bedroom this wouldn’t be great

Whisper In-Tank Filter 3i for 1 - 3 gallon aquariums (25846) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HHQ712/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_eR53AbWDK8AVT

So I just use the pump and the tubing from this filter because it sucked up my last betta and I still had the parts for it. But you can use this pump or anything that is the right size for your tank :)

I'm using this thing.

It seems like the bubbles going up the clear shaft end up popping at the top of the filter. But it didn't used to be like that until I did a water change.

If you choose to continue using the cartridges but have the ceramic rings in there as well, then you shouldn't need to worry about swapping in a new cartridge when the old one is falling apart because there will be enough beneficial bacteria on the ceramic rings that you won't ruin the cycle.

If you don't plan to keep the ceramic rings then the best option is a small secondary filter, one driven by an air pump is a great option like [this one] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000634IYU/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1498418773&sr=8-3&keywords=small+world+filter) or [this one] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000HHQ712/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498418909&sr=8-1&keywords=tetra+whisper+internal+power+filter+3i). This way you can alternate which filter you are cleaning.

And yes, always clean your filter media (whether it's a cartridge, sponge/foam, filter fiber, polishing pad, or the ceramic rings) in aquarium water. Best way to do that is remove some water for a water change and before you dump it rinse out the filter media in that container.

I think I might get this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000HHQ712/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER and put pantyhose over the hole

I have the first tank you posted, it works great! And also, you should consider putting some dwarf frogs in there (maximum two) but probably not any fish. You would need a bigger tank to add some fish!

here's a good tank heater:
http://www.amazon.com/Hydor-7-5w-Heater-Bettas-Bowls/dp/B006JVQ67K

you're also going to need a filter, even if the people at petco say you don't.

http://www.amazon.com/Tetra-25846-Whisper-BioScrubber-3-Gallon/dp/B000HHQ712/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1426271069&sr=1-1&keywords=1-3+gallon+filter

I got rid of the under gravel "filter" that came with the tank and installed this one instead, leaving out that stupid plastic tube that came with the tank.

With all of these resources you should have a super healthy happy betta!

Depends what kind of hood you have on your 2.5 gallon. If I can't hang one on the outside I have used this http://www.amazon.com/Tetra-25846-Whisper-BioScrubber-3-Gallon/dp/B000HHQ712/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450762898&sr=8-1&keywords=2+gallon+filter

Whisper In-Tank Filter 3i for 1 - 3 gallon aquariums (25846) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HHQ712/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_T3VRybYRPEM1B

It would. Bit for so etching much larger. That's a 45 gallon tank filter. One like this http://www.amazon.com/Tetra-25846-Whisper-BioScrubber-3-Gallon/dp/B000HHQ712/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404539713&sr=8-1&keywords=3+gallon+fish+tank+filter

or this

http://www.amazon.com/Tetra-25816-Whisper-BioScrubber-10-Gallon/dp/B0002DHYF4/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1404539774&sr=8-8&keywords=tetra+whisper+filter

would do the trick. The second is for a 3 to 5 gallon, the first is up to 3 gallon. You can get decent fish tank kits that come with a light and filter for around 20 to 30$ at pet smart, but that doesn't include a heater.


Something like this is a decent setup, and as it's a 5 gallon, it could actually be divided to house both fish. All you would really need at that point is a heater, and water dechlorinator.

http://www.amazon.com/Tetra-29003-Crescent-Aquarium-5-Gallon/dp/B00324X5L2/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404540227&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=tetra+3+gallon+crescent

Tetra 3i

I'm going to make a price list off of memory....

All in $$$

API master test kit: 18 (confirmed)

10G tank: 15 (confirmed)

Lid: ~10 (Memory, it has a plastic strip in the back. Designed so you can cut off parts of it to make room for cords and/or filters, basically customizable to your hearts desire.

Filter: Whisper 3i, acceptable if you have a single betta in your tank: <10 (Comes with a small air pump. You will need something bigger if you want to maximize the potential bioload of your 10g. Refill cartriges will check out to be ~$1.50 apiece, and each lasts one month.)

: Side note: I like to use sponge filter for my Betta, in his planted tank. They provide adequate filtration, and a slow enough flow that the betta is not disturbed. I currently use this guy, as the double filter design allows me to clean half of it per water change, preventing a complete filter cycle reset. As a bonus, you don't have to buy cartridges for it; just swish the foam around in old tank water. Costs $5. Downside: Being a no-name filter, there's no "proper" way to calculate maximum bioload. You'll need to spend time monitoring parameters if you ever want to push the limits. Also, I use it in a PLANTED tank. Plants tend to cost a bunch of money, ~$5 for 2 depending on where you get them. But I find them worth it.

On that note: Plants: $20 (Optional.)

Seachem prime (Water conditioner): ~$5. The bottle has lasted me more than 6 months between 2 tanks, so it'll likely last you a full year.

Food: ~$2 per month. Varies depending on what you buy and how much you use. Expect an initial cost of ~$10.

Edit: Added: Substrate. Sure, you could get a bag of rocks for lotsa $$$ from petsmart or whatever. But, a tip I got from this subreddit, Black Diamond Blasting Sand. Apparently $10. And it's more than you'll need, so if you upgrade to a larger tank, you won't need to spend $$$ getting more substrate (in theory...) Just make sure to rinse it off somehow, before adding it to your tank.

Edit: Added: Lighting. Just use an old lamp. It is advised to change the bulb out with an aquarium-specific bulb, but it won't kill you to run with a household CFL bulb. You may need to fight algae though... use an old credit card or gift card as a cheap scraper, and consider adding 1 or 2 snails, such as nerite snails or mystery snails. Cheap at your LFS, or from your local breeder.

Total: Pretty sure there's an error... but, $65 $75. Assuming you spring for the $5 no-name filter (and not buying the whisper) and skimp out completely on plants. Of course, this is a very specific cost for a very specific tank setup of 1 fish.

Edit: Oh, I totally forgot substrate. Lemme check here.... Um.. gimme a sec.

Edit: Done! Though it should be noted, as you gain more experience, you tend to gain more items. For example, I bought a table just to set my aquarium on. $20 at my local thrift store. I should really have it set on a matt of some sort, so that it doesn't bend, and end up costing me a new aquarium. Another $10. I realized test tubes are fragile. A spare pack of 25 and a plastic test tube stand, $35. Various medications, small droppers to accurately adminsiter seachem prime, cheap disposable gloves for chemicals, lights, lamps, bulbs... it does add up. Bear in mind that $75 is a minimal setup, and it will likely end up costing you more. (Especially if you have to buy a stand... better hope you have a sturdy table & matt, or are able to build one yourself with exact tolerances!)

Edit: Oh my gosh. I forgot a heater. A necessity in ANY tropical aquarium. That's going to run you around $15-20 for a good one, you want one with an adjustable thermostat. They're more dependable, and of course, adjustable. Gonna need a thermometer with that too, though I've personally had trouble finding a reliable one. Some say my tank is 76 degrees, other say it's 80+. Personally, I use the fish's behavior as a sign. Make sure the fish is not gasping for air near the surface, and if they do, turn it down at least 2 degrees, closer to 4.

It's a 2.5 gallon tank, divided in half up to about 6 inches by some craft foam, sealed with silicone caulk (it's give or take a gallon of water).
It uses one of those tetra whisper filters powered by an air bubbler.

the ground is made up of about 3 inches of gravel for drainage, under 3 or 4ish inches of coco coir dirt, and that's covered up by some sort of a moss (it was given to me when I received an enclosure for one of my tarantulas, the previous owner was keeping toads, I figure it's frog safe moss). They've got a little rock in there to hang out on, and that plastic cup is a small tupperware thing I use because dubia nymphs and dwarf white isopods cannot climb out (The frogs have been eating heavily out of it, so they've figured it out, I was worried they wouldn't explore it). The dirt has been inoculated with dwarf white isopods mostly to keep the enclosure free of frog poo, but also for the smaller guys to scavenge (though I don't count on that as a primary food source)

In the top right corner I have a little sump pit of sorts, constructed out of the same foam, hot glued but not sealed, so water will drain into it, so I can run a drain hose in the event my divider ever leaks.

What do we think? I was thinking of putting a cheap fish in the water as a sort of miners canary to let me know if the water quality goes south