Reddit mentions of Jardin Fish Tank 6-Layer Sponge Biochemical Water Corner Filter, Black

Sponge filters are the safest for bettas. I highly recommend this one on amazon :)

if you want to keep track of parameters get this. https://www.amazon.com/API-Freshwater-Master-Test-Kit/dp/B000255NCI as for filtration i would just get a super small sponge filter to use in place of your airstone like this. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DT1XXJW/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvp_3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3171424582&pd_rd_wg=YSSS6&pf_rd_r=SP3Q161R7EV6JCMT1THS&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-bottom-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B00DT1XXJW&pd_rd_w=rOp3K&pf_rd_i=mini+aquarium+sponge+filter&pd_rd_r=68WZ029GH257ZD7YAPA0&ie=UTF8&qid=1504099606&sr=3 you can tuck it back on the corner and the shrimp will absolutely love to feed on it. just make sure your tank is cycled before adding any shrimp to it.

You’re gonna want to get a filter ASAP because his troubles are highly likely due to water quality - impossible to know without parameters. Yeah petsmart will totally test your water for you ! It’s a great deal since I know test kits are pricey !! :)

I’d recommend a sponge filter like this one .

I’d recommend feeding him some daphnia if he still seems to have an appetite and that should hopefully help him poo. The bloat might be a combination with his weak immune system from the rot and velvet, so hopefully getting him warmer and cleaner water will help.

He still looks to have some good weight on him and I’ve seen way sicker fish come back from way worse, so your guy should bounce back.

If you don’t use seachem Prime already I highly highly recommend getting some ! It’ll help neutralize the ammonia left after a water change.

I hope he gets better soon !!! Don’t hesitate if you have any more questions everyone on her is a wonderful help :)

It probably needs a few more, but I want to add the new filter in before I do so. It's going to be a corner sponge (air?) filter. Oh wait, I can just post this.

Despite all the extensive misconceptions around, Bettas need at least a 2.5 gallon, filtered, and heated tank. Preferable a 5 gallon or more, larger set ups are actually easier to maintain! In small tanks like bowls or "shoebox sized tanks," ammonia builds up too quickly and can harm, and eventually kill your fish. Fish create ammonia when they breathe and poo, and it is toxic to them. I recommend you get at least a 5 gallon tank, a fully submersible heater, and a sponge filter. Sponge filters are cheap and great for biological filtration! To combat ammonia "nitryfying" bacteria will colonize on your filter media and "eat" the icky ammonia turning it nitrites, and then less harmful nitrites! Here's a great blog on fish keeping that should supply you any more information you need!

edit: also make sure you dechlorinate your water and feed your fish high quality pellets, i prefer omega one betta buffet pellets, also male and female bettas should not be kept together unless you have very precise exquisite conditions and aim to breed them

Okay, that's about what I ordered. Uxcell Jardin Fish Tank 6-Layer Sponge Biochemical Water Corner Filter, Black https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00DT1XXJW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_taa_A1M8yb97NN2JV

I miss cheap USA goods. The whisper 10 on Amazon.com is $6USD and it is $16CDN on Amazon.ca.

Anywho thanks!

Really like the corner sponge filter- they're about five dollars and they work well to develop beneficial bacteria. Recommend getting an air pump that's next size up from what you need. So for example I have a 5.5 and I use a 10 gal pump.

I use a smaller version of this guy

I'm on mobile, so I couldn't link to all your tank choices/Aqadvisor, but I'll comment anyway, haha.

As far as the tank, I'd go with a five gallon if you are able, something like a Fluval Chi.

If you buy a kit like that, don't expect to use the light or filter. You can get a rimless cube for around $25/$30 without all the extra stuff.

As far as the filter, the ones you linked are fine with fish, but I wouldn't use either with shrimp, it creates too much flow in a small aquarium. Stick with a sponge filter. They are cheap and efficient, and shrimp love to pick at them and eat tiny bits of debris off them.
I just ordered this one:

Jardin Fish Tank 6-Layer Sponge Biochemical Water Corner Filter, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DT1XXJW/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_vgKrub023RYRC

It's going in my Chi.

As for lighting, if you don't have a lot of money you can just put a clamp light on with CFL, just make sure your bulb is 6,500K. If you have the money, get a Finnex Fugeray.

Get your plants established before adding the shrimp. I would recommend cycling for at least two months with plants before adding any shrimp. Make sure your parameters are excellent, and don't forget your GH and KH, very important

As far as mystery snails, I don't have personal experience, so I can't say but I would not put one in my shrimp tank. Ramshorns and MTS are probably better. I have them and I just had to move a few over to another tank bc they were eating all the food.

Ecocomplete is good, but I'd go with the finest grade, as I couldn't get plants to root in the gravelly stuff and shrimp prefer sand anyway. Black blasting sand is a cheap alternative, you just have to wash it a lot initially and then supplement plants with root tabs.

Hope this helps!

I have something like this and I like it

Anything labled for bettas is probably junk, or at very least heavily diluted. I use Seachem Prime, and it's usually cheaper than the aqueon brand while being less diluted. A small bottle would last you a very long time.

As for the filter, definitely get a new one. While a mossball helps, you would need far more plants to use up all of the fish's waste. I'd recommend a sponge filter for that size tank so that you don't have to worry about the outflow being too strong. They're incredibly low maintenance as well.

This pump

Tetra 77851 Whisper Air Pump, 10-Gallon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009YJ4N6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_zKHNyb1F5JD7D

With this sponge

Jardin Fish Tank 6-Layer Sponge Biochemical Water Corner Filter, Black
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DT1XXJW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_cLHNyb6XMKG3Z

Would work very well for a 5 gallon.

I would bump the temperature up a bit since bettas do best from 76-82f

Definitely read up on what those numbers mean (not just the ideal range). I think that r/aquariums had a good guide in the sidebar, and Google is your best friend for fish research.

Edit (added link): http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/guide-to-starting-a-freshwater-aquarium-186089.html

As far as tankmates go, for a five gallon with a betta your options are limited to shrimp and snails. But you can still have plenty of fun with those!

Don't be afraid to ask questions!

Can anyone recommend which sponge filter I should get? Either this or this? One is $10 Canadian while the other is $5.

I use this cheap six-layer sponge filter and a Tetra Whisper air pump. There are several styles of sponge filter so it's really your preference. Round, corner, or with suction cups to stick on the side are all about the same and would be fine in a five gallon. I like the Tetra pumps because they're a good combination of cheap, quiet, and reliable. I've had the one I linked running 24/7 for over three years with no problem. You'll probably want to get a valve for the air line so you can adjust the air flow and a check valve if you put the pump lower than the aquarium.