aqua expert 600 aquarium air pump - how to set it up?

Our office inherited a beta fish with a 2.5 gallon mini-bow tank. The filtration system is an Aqua Expert 600. How do you set it up so that it actually keeps the tank clean? It didn't come with any directions and I don't think we have the tubing set up right. Help keep Grover alive!

Welcome to our forum.

What does the filter look like? My first guess is a flat piece of plastic with lots of small holes, one larger hole, and a flange about a half inch thick. That's a crude description of an under gravel filter. The large hole accepts a plastic tube (lift tube) which also houses an air tube that connects to the pump. The lift tube works when the air tube produces bubbles; the bubbles lift water, which is drawn through the gravel covering the filter. To properly install the filter, put it on the bare bottom of the aquarium, install the lift tube, add gravel (about two inches), and add conditioned water to about an inch from the top. The air space is needed, because a Betta gets some of his oxygen from air above the water.

Other types of filters commonly used in small aquariums are box and sponge types. They both have lift tubes that work just like the under gravel type. Still another type of filter is built into the hood; it requires a filter cartridge and an intake tube. Bettas don't do well in turbulent water, so make sure the bubbles are gentle. If the pump puts out too much air, add a bleed valve between the output and check valve.

Please let me know if that helped, and please read up on the nitrogen cycle (check our blogs) before you add fish.

is the Aqua Expert 600 look like this?first give the answewr then i say about how to set up..

No, I think it's your basic beginner's filtration / tank set up. there is a long clear plastic tube which ends in a blue filter that somehow sits inside a plastic hood.