| When considering putting up an aquarium setup | | | | result in the death of a fish-so it is best for a |
| for a betta, filters are not only desirable, some | | | | betta owner to avoid stressing out a betta too |
| would say that they are altogether necessary. | | | | much.) |
| This may be quite at odds with what most | | | | Many betta owners already know this, but they |
| people, even most hobbyists, think of bettas, but | | | | argue that fixing up a setup that includes filtration |
| as a matter of fact it is not. | | | | can prove problematic because it involves too |
| Firstly, bettas are of course renowned for | | | | much work. This is not always the case. Firstly, |
| needing less maintenance than other kinds of | | | | filtration setups nowadays are exceedingly |
| tropical fish. They can and do survive, even | | | | compact and sturdy, and thus require little work |
| thrive, in setups that do not include filtration or | | | | to maintain and setup. Secondly, although these |
| even aeration-setups that would kill many other | | | | setups do require betta tanks to be somewhat |
| aquarium fish, even those that are deemed hardy | | | | larger than the tiny vases and jars some people |
| in the aquarium world. | | | | keep them in, they need not be too much larger |
| That said, though, they are far from invincible, | | | | than these receptacles. Thirdly, the efficiency of |
| and can and do get sick when exposed to certain | | | | many of these filters means that their electricity |
| bacteria, fungi and viruses, just like any other kind | | | | consumption is not very high at all. |
| of aquarium fish. It is very important to note that | | | | Maintenance of filtration units can be as simple or |
| many of these bacteria, fungi and viruses can | | | | as complicated as an owner wants it to be. A |
| only gain a foothold in the aquarium if and when | | | | betta owner can elect to go with something as |
| the water is dirty-and this is the reason why | | | | simple as a side-mounted hanging filter (which |
| betta filters and filtration setups are a necessity. | | | | would need simple filtrate changes every so |
| (Of course frequent water changes can be | | | | often, or something as complex and as effective |
| performed, but they can prove problematic | | | | as a multi-stage canister filter. Owners can select |
| because bettas can be stressed out if and when | | | | based on complication and cost considerations-and |
| these are performed far too frequently. Stress | | | | even the "least effective" is still bound to be good |
| can lead to other health problems and can even | | | | enough for a betta. |