Best way to filter a 1.5 gallon Betta tank?

The little 1.5 rectangle tank I have will be for my new Betta boy who will be arriving sometime next week. Originally it was used years ago for my daughter when she wanted a gold fish. We never used a filter for it, and I know Bettas don't HAVE to have a filter running but I would like to have one for this guy. However, I have had no luck in finding one to use in a tank so small.
Suggestions? Any help here would be appreciated.

The Bettas I grew up with were always in our larger community tank and not in a small one like this.

Thanks in advance!!

I guess the first question is mechanical filtration or not. A simple sponge/air filter like:
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+3584+22501&pcatid=22501



I have seen these used in many turtle tanks which would provide mechanical filtration.
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+3584+12085&pcatid=12085

This is the whole list from the site/ (internal filters)
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/fish-supplies/aquarium-filter/internal-aquarium-filter/ps/c/3578/3579/3584

AH! Thank you! I was looking at those right before deciding to come ask someone! LOL! I like the first one (the fluval) but was afraid it and the others would be too big for my tank.

SWEETNESS! Gotta go order! Thanks again STM!

Just get one that fits the tank size. It is going to be hard to pick out a 1 gallon filter because most people won't use filters for something so small. Air filters would be pretty good for a small tank but the bubbles may still cause too much disturbance in the tank. Very hard to tell. If you use an air filter you could use an air valve to adjust the flow through the filter at least.

Just be careful it won't take too much space in the tank. Some of those nano filters are still decent size.

Oooo.... I like that idea even better, and that wouldn't take up as much room as the in tank filter deal would! Thanks STM! Back to F/S I go...HEHE!

No problem. Just keep looking. You will find what you want. Something adjustable is nice for small tanks. The down side to just a sponge/air filter is that you don't get the mechanical filtration of other filters but it won't hurt.

Yeah, that's true enough, but I think it should work for me, since I will still be doing weekly water changes...And if nothing else, if I decide I need to "upgrade" to something more, I always can.

I really appreciate your help here!

That fluval is a little big , If it is the same one that comes with the fluval ebi tanks then yea its a bit too big for a 1.5 gallon tank. It works well and is adjustable but still the size of the filter will kinda kill it.

Thanks JD.... I liked that one, but I had the same concern as you with size.

a small tetra or whisper hang on the back filter would work. or what about a hob filter from a pico tank.

I would be open to something like that, but would it run the risk of creating too much flow?

Meredith wrote:

I would be open to something like that, but would it run the risk of creating too much flow?

depends on which ones you get. tetra makes ones rated for up to 3 gallons, that only do 10-15 gph an hour... or you could get the little betta in side filter, that has floss and charoal with a air pump..

Hey meredith love your avatar. The heaters I uase for my small tanks ia a Hydro Mini flat heater 7.5w heats up to 5gal. I like the flat ones because they take up no space.

Plantedtankdude: That makes sense and is something I'm going to check further into. Thank you for the info!!!

Whisper: I figured you'd like that! I've named him Zen. hehehe! I like the idea of a flat heater too...the tank is so itty bitty, I don't want to take up any more room in there than absolutely necessary.

I may just have to ask for one of those fancy fluval desktop tank setups for Christmas for him! LOL!

Sounds like a great Christmas gift.