Self-Cleaning Betta Aquarium (Safe?)

[jakester42]

www.nocleanaquariums.com/Self_Cleaning_Betta_Aquarium_p/bft1.htm 
Is this safe? How could you make it safe? What would be the water change schedule?

[devonjohnsgard]

hmmm interesting. Well the fact that you are putting fresh water in every couple days, then it cleans for you, is the reason it would be safe. Like the video said, you would want to refill (clean) like every 2 to 3 days. It would be good for betta. I would make a suggestion to say that you could get a nitrogen cycle going and that would make it safer, but putting the water in ever 2-3 days eliminates that. Every suggestion I have would involve the n-cycle, but this tank is designed not to worry about that. Seem like a good idea.

[Carl]

While not a bad idea, this is simply a glorified under gravel filter with all its positives and negatives

Reference for Under Gravel Filters:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Filtration.html#ugf

Often too much is made of cleanings, when in fact a water change/cleaning should not be much of a chore if the aquarium is properly set up and maintained.
I rarely took more than 30/45 minutes for a 60 gallon aquarium

Further Cleaning Information:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_cleaning.html

Carl