Need help with filter for 20 gal. tank

[Mmathis]

I currently have a 20 gal [standard] tank. I have an AQUA-TECH HOB filter -- the 20-40. I felt like I needed more filtration, esp bio, so I upgraded to an A-T 30-60, but that was WAY TOO MUCH water movement.....!



So, looking for something suitable for a 20 gal with good water movement, but not overpowering. Good mechanical filtration & good bio-filtration. Budget-minded, if possible.

I would prefer to stay with something simple, like the HOB-type filter, but am open to suggestions.

 

[sissy]

don't know much about them but e bay has some great prices on tank filters .Mike just got one for his big tank with a free uv and paid almost 90 dollars less than the pet store plus free shipping and no taxes .He got a tank style that goes inside the cabinet underneath the tank .I think there was something else included free but can't remember

 

[JohnHuff]

Make your own moving bed filter with some cut up straws, a bottle and a cheap air pump.

 

[bettasngoldfish]

Is the tank a twenty long (30X12X12) or twenty high (24X12X16)? The twenty high is much deeper than the twenty long. What kind of fish are you keeping in it?

I use two of the penguin HOB filters on my 20H tank. The 150 and the 100 as well as an air pump w/2 stones. I have two smaller fancy goldfish in the tank.

http://www.petsolutions.com/C/Aquarium-Power-Filters/I/Penguin-Bio-Wheel-Filters.aspx

 

[dieselplower]

What makes you feel like you need more filtration? What kind of fish are in the tank? How many? How often do you do water changes?

 

[Lisaebetten]

I use the fluval that has bio and mechanical for my 40 gallons. Very satisfied, I cut a filter sponge in 1/2 and made an opening in the middle to attach it to the intake pipe as extra filtration. The fish love to pick at the sponge like a buffet!!

http://www.petsmart.com/supplies/fi...36-catid-300088?var_id=36-16885&_t=pfm=search

 

[Lisaebetten]

I use the fluval that has bio and mechanical for my 40 gallons. Very satisfied, I cut a filter sponge in 1/2 and made an opening in the middle to attach it to the intake pipe as extra filtration. The fish love to pick at the sponge like a buffet!!

http://www.petsmart.com/supplies/filters/aqua-clear-fluval-power-filter-zid36-16885/cat-36-catid-300088?var_id=36-16885&_t=pfm=search

This link is for the smaller one but I use 2 of the 50 gallon size on my tanks. I love to have to filtration and sound mind. Plus if one goes down I still have one running.

 

[Lisaebetten]

I currently have a 20 gal [standard] tank. I have an AQUA-TECH HOB filter -- the 20-40. I felt like I needed more filtration, esp bio, so I upgraded to an A-T 30-60, but that was WAY TOO MUCH water movement.....!

View attachment 73796 View attachment 73797

So, looking for something suitable for a 20 gal with good water movement, but not overpowering. Good mechanical filtration & good bio-filtration. Budget-minded, if possible.

I would prefer to stay with something simple, like the HOB-type filter, but am open to suggestions.

check out craigslist also for some deals

 

[Nepen]

I have a 40 gallon and is using the 50 gallon filter, pretty happy with it but I added more bio media in there. Never have a problem with Ammonia, just the Nitrate is always high so I have to do water change quite often.

 

[bettasngoldfish]

I currently have a 20 gal [standard] tank. I have an AQUA-TECH HOB filter -- the 20-40. I felt like I needed more filtration, esp bio, so I upgraded to an A-T 30-60, but that was WAY TOO MUCH water movement.....!

View attachment 73796 View attachment 73797

So, looking for something suitable for a 20 gal with good water movement, but not overpowering. Good mechanical filtration & good bio-filtration. Budget-minded, if possible.

I would prefer to stay with something simple, like the HOB-type filter, but am open to suggestions.

Just to clarify the Aqua Tech 20-40 is 160 GPH and the 30-60 is 330 GPH

 

[Nepen]

I recommend AquaClear, they have a large filter section, that's where I added the bio media. This is the one i have
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000260FUM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Mmathis]

I use the fluval that has bio and mechanical for my 40 gallons. Very satisfied, I cut a filter sponge in 1/2 and made an opening in the middle to attach it to the intake pipe as extra filtration. The fish love to pick at the sponge like a buffet!!

http://www.petsmart.com/supplies/filters/aqua-clear-fluval-power-filter-zid36-16885/cat-36-catid-300088?var_id=36-16885&_t=pfm=search

I recommend AquaClear, they have a large filter section, that's where I added the bio media. This is the one i have
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000260FUM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I read somewhere that you can adjust the water flow on this filter -- is this correct, and does it make a difference? I like the idea of higher capacity, but at a slower rate.

I also read a customer recommendation that said to go up a size -- IOW, get a 30 for a 20 gallon, etc. (if they come that way....?). As per my above statement, I like bigger, but don't want to blast the fish out of the water (which is what happened with my other filter).

My tank is a 20 gallon standard. Not where I can measure it at the moment, but it's not the "tall" or the "long." I'll only be keeping a couple of smaller (this year's spawn) in the tank -- same as I did last year. Just to have something pretty inside the house that I can admire & pamper through the winter months.

Thanks all, for your help!

 

[Nepen]

You can reduce the flow with Aquaclear. I think you will be fine with the 30 normal flow or the 50 reduce flow. I love it because the size of its compartment, biggest then any of the filter I looked up. The reduce flow is you just shift the intake tube, it works, not significant but it does.

 

[Mmathis]

In the past I've used Marineland filters -- with the Bio-wheel -- but now I'm not seeing many good reviews for them.

I might try an Aquaclear....

 

[Mmathis]

Got an Aquaclear 50, but haven't taken it out of the box yet [too many other things going on....].

Even though this is for a 20 gal tank, I was looking at the GPH. The Aquaclear is rated as being 200 GPH -- this is right in between the 2 Aqua Techs that I have, so sounds like a happy medium. If it's too much, I'll return & exchange it.