Heater / Filter for a 5 Gal?

[_Shea_]

I have a HOB Aquaclear filter, but it's for like 50+ gallons. Also, would I need a mini heater since it's a small aquarium?

Also, what type of media for the filter?

Thanks guys.

[IHateAlgae]

Use the 50+ gallon filter. No such thing as too much filtration!
And as far as heaters, I can't help there. I just rely on house temperature for heating.

[_Shea_]

Use the 50+ gallon filter. No such thing as too much filtration!
And as far as heaters, I can't help there. I just rely on house temperature for heating.

Ok. I only want to house a betta. I just don't want the heater to cook the fish. What kind of media could I use during cycling?

[mommy1]

A heater won't cook your fish. Just set it to the temperature you want. If it is over rated for the tank it just won't stay on as long. Get a good 25-50 watt heater.

You can't have too much filtration but you can have too much flow, especially for a betta. I would change out the AC 50 for an AC 20.

[_Shea_]

A heater won't cook your fish. Just set it to the temperature you want. If it is over rated for the tank it just won't stay on as long. Get a good 25-50 watt heater.

You can't have too much filtration but you can have too much flow, especially for a betta. I would change out the AC 50 for an AC 20.

lol here's another weird part. In the filter, I have a ton of old media. Obviously i'm going to be cycling. But the media is from like 2010 /2011. Surely I can't use this to cycle? The media and the filter is clearly still plagued with the bacteria.

[madagascariensis]

Don't use the AC 50. There is no such thing as too much filtration, but there certainly is such a thing as too much current. An AC 20 would be a much better choice, especially with the flow adjustment feature.
A smaller heater would also be better because a) a large heater just doesn't fit in a 5 gallon or else will look highly obtrusive doing so. B) with such a small volume of water, a small heater will take longer to cook your fish in the case of a malfunction, giving you more time to notice the broken heater and come to the rescue.

Assuming your filter media has been sitting dry since 2011, then you have to cycle the tank anew,because drying kills the beneficial bacteria we want.

[_Shea_]

Don't use the AC 50. There is no such thing as too much filtration, but there certainly is such a thing as too much current. An AC 20 would be a much better choice, especially with the flow adjustment feature.
A smaller heater would also be better because a) a large heater just doesn't fit in a 5 gallon or else will look highly obtrusive doing so. B) with such a small volume of water, a small heater will take longer to cook your fish in the case of a malfunction, giving you more time to notice the broken heater and come to the rescue.

Assuming your filter media has been sitting dry since 2011, then you have to cycle the tank anew,because drying kills the beneficial bacteria we want.

Thanks. And you recommend I just use the usual for media: Foam inserts and biomax?

[Cliff]

I have only been using sponges and biomax in my filters for a few years now, works great for me.

If you find you HOB filter give you too much flow, you can try the below:

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...light=diverter

[Slaphppy7]

IMO, even something as small as an AC20 on a 5 gallon will give you a fishnado...I'd use a sponge filter for something that small, and only stock shrimp.

[ThatTexanGuy]

Cliff posted the exact thing I came to put lol. The output would likely create a whirlpool, but you can try that diffuser to see if you can lessen the output. If it works, great you have super filtration. If not, you can always get a smaller filter. Takes just a few minutes and a gatorade bottle to find out lol