Small Sponge Filter With Air Pump for Bettas
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This guide covers small sponge filters that run on an air pump, or that come with one in the package, for a betta bowl or a small tank. Three listings in the data meet that description. A fourth submersible filter was left out because it has its own built-in pump and is not an air-driven sponge. Listing figures were checked on 11 October 2026 and are quoted as the sellers state them.
Quick answer: for a bowl or a tank of 1 to 10 gallons with the pump included, the HIERYAN has the smallest filter at 3.9 by 1.1 inches. For a starter kit that also includes a thermometer and a betta leaf, the Penn-Plax kit. For a tank of 3 to 10 gallons with a pump whose air flow is listed, the Pawfly kit.
The three picks at a glance
| Kit | Filter size (as listed) | Pump (as listed) | Tank size (as listed) | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pawfly Nano Bio Sponge Filter Kit (B09NDKDXXL) | 1.5 x 3 inches | 40 GPH in bullets, 1.89 liters per minute and 2 watts in table | 3 to 10 gallons | 5 foot tubing, non-return valve |
| Penn-Plax Cascade Betta Starter Kit (B09JT6KB3X) | Mini sponge filter, size not stated | Nano air pump SAX7, 1.2 liters per minute, 43 dB | Not stated | 2.5 feet tubing, check valve, betta leaf, thermometer, 1 lb zeolite |
| HIERYAN Super Mini Sponge Filter (B0918DG6DV) | 3.9 x 1.1 inches | Oxygen pump included, output not stated | 1 to 10 gallons | 40 inch hose, air stone, check valve |
How we chose these three
- Type: the listing describes a sponge filter driven by air, or includes a sponge filter and a pump together.
- Size: the listing states a tank, bowl or filter size that can be checked against your set-up.
- Exclusions: air pumps sold without a sponge filter were left out, and so was a powered submersible filter with its own pump.
1. Pawfly Nano Bio Sponge Filter Kit
The kit pairs a sponge filter measuring 1.5 inches across and 3 inches high with an air pump. The bullets say the pump is driven at 40 GPH. The specification table gives an air flow of 1.89 liters per minute and a power rating of 2 watts. The pump measures 3.3 inches long, 1.8 inches wide and 1.6 inches high, and the listing says it runs below 45 dB. The package includes 5 foot airline tubing and a non-return valve, and the kit weighs 10.88 ounces. The color field in the listing reads 3 to 10 gallons, which matches the tank range in the bullets.
Check the Pawfly sponge filter kit on Amazon
2. Penn-Plax Cascade Betta Starter Kit
This is a nine piece kit built around a betta. It includes a nano air pump, model SAX7, a mini sponge filter, 2.5 feet of airline tubing, a check valve, a betta leaf, a cleaning sponge, a 3 inch fish net, a strip thermometer and 1 lb of zeolite crystals. The listing says the pump runs at 43 dB and gives 1.2 liters per minute, through a power cable of 26.5 inches. The zeolite is described as absorbing ammonia. The listing says the fish and the tank are sold separately. The package measures 7.87 by 5.83 by 3.39 inches and weighs 1.49 pounds.
Check the Penn-Plax betta starter kit on Amazon
3. HIERYAN Super Mini Sponge Filter With Oxygen Pump
This is the smallest of the three filters, at 3.9 by 1.1 inches. The listing says it suits 1 to 10 gallon bowls and small tanks, and that the filter must be run with an oxygen pump, which is included. The package has a 40 inch hose, an air stone, a check valve and a suction cup for mounting the filter underwater. The listing says the parts come apart for cleaning, and the item weighs 7.4 ounces. It does not give the pump’s wattage or air flow, so the pump cannot be compared with the other two kits on power.
Check the HIERYAN sponge filter on Amazon
Worked example: what does the Pawfly pump use and move each day?
The Pawfly specification table gives a power rating of 2 watts. For example, running the pump around the clock uses 2 watts for 24 hours, which is 48 watt-hours a day. Over 30 days that comes to 1,440 watt-hours, or 1.44 kilowatt-hours. The air flow is 1.89 liters per minute, which is about 113 liters an hour. A 10 gallon tank holds about 37.9 liters, so the pump moves roughly three tank volumes of air each hour. That is a useful check for a small tank, but the listing does not say how much of that air reaches the sponge.
What the listings do not say
The listings do not compare the three filters on water flow or on how quickly the sponge builds up bacteria, and none gives a result from an outside lab. The Pawfly listing gives two different pump figures: 40 GPH in its bullets and 1.89 liters per minute, about 30 GPH, in its table. Both are shown above, because the listing does not say which one applies. The Penn-Plax listing gives air flow in liters per minute but no wattage. The HIERYAN listing gives neither. The HIERYAN listing does advise rinsing the sponge in aquarium water rather than tap water, and that advice is the only care instruction in the data.
Frequently asked questions
Does a sponge filter need an air pump?
Yes, for these three. The HIERYAN listing says its filter must be used with an oxygen pump, and the Pawfly listing says its sponge is driven by an air pump. The Penn-Plax kit includes its pump in the package.
What size tank suits a small sponge filter?
The HIERYAN listing says it suits 1 to 10 gallon bowls and tanks. The Pawfly listing gives 3 to 10 gallons, and the Penn-Plax listing does not state a tank size.
Is a sponge filter with an air pump quiet?
The Pawfly listing says its pump runs below 45 dB, and the Penn-Plax listing gives 43 dB for its nano pump. The HIERYAN listing does not give a noise figure.
Do these kits include a thermometer or a heater?
The Penn-Plax kit includes a strip thermometer but no heater. The Pawfly and HIERYAN listings include neither a thermometer nor a heater.
Conclusion
For a tank of 3 to 10 gallons with a pump whose air flow is listed, start with the Pawfly. For a betta starter kit with a thermometer and a betta leaf, the Penn-Plax kit. For a bowl or small tank of 1 to 10 gallons, where footprint matters most, the HIERYAN. Check the pump’s air flow against your tank before you buy. For more on filters for small betta tanks, see best water filter for betta fish, best low flow filter for betta and best filter for 10 gallon betta tank.
Pawfly sponge filter kit · Penn-Plax betta starter kit · HIERYAN sponge filter
Bài viết liên quan: Best Small Sponge Filter for Betta: Two Listings to Compare, Pawfly Sponge Filter for a Betta Tank: What to Check, Best 5 Gallon Sponge Filter: What to Check Before You Buy.
