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I have a 20 long with tetras, gouramis, cories, and ottos. I have an Aquaclear 150 or 30 depending on if its the new box or not. These filters work nice because if you use the filter sponge as a bio filter you can put 2 in and rotate them so you don't recycle the tank. Its also easy to put different media in it. This is a great filter- go with it.

20 Gallon Long:
Aquaclear 300
2 Bolivian Rams, Mikrogeophagus altispinosus: Gumby and Pokey

one of my ac's i had for nearly 10 years and never once had a problem with it . if your water level is with in an inche or so of the filter and the power goes out, it'll start right back up no problems!! can't really get any easier to clean either

Last edited by whodini at 09-Sep-2005 23:16

90g- anguilla rostrata,6 silver dollars,2 pictus catfish 60 g- anguilla rostrata 29g-4 blk skirt&4 serpia tetras, 6 harliquin resbora, 3kuhli loach 20g- 2 mountian minnows, 2 zebra danio& dojo loach , a corn snake and 2 monster dogs

i use under gravels with my otb on my betta tank (40g split) and i like it much. i pretty much sticking with whispers on my 55g and 40g, now my 150g i have 2 canisters, over kill i've been told but ay thats what i want

Fish tanks are an expensive addiction

what about a top fin?

thanks everyone! I think I'm getting an aquaclear.

I personal like Whispers for the fact that they have adjustible intakes. There might be other filters that have this but I do not know.

http://www.petsolutions.com/Whisper+60+Power+Filter-I-45660030-I-C-22-C-.aspx

This is the one that I use on my 40 and 55 gal. Although the picture isn't quite right. You could go with the next size down.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

I have Aquaclears on 3 tanks- 2 of them over 5yrs old- never a problem. For my 20 long- I have an AC200- older name- pumps 200GPH. IMHO- a great filter.

http://www.fishprofiles.com/site/aquarank.aspx

The basic filter types:

UNDERGRAVEL
This is (if you will) the "old school" way of doing things. It involves a filter plate with tubes, an air pump, airline tubing, an airstone. Some systems use a powerhead. The airstone and tubing goes into the tube on the plate so the air bubbles rise to the surface through the tube. This creates a current that moves from the top of the tank to the bottom and through the gravel, then back up again. The gravel becomes your filter media, so you have to be sure you clean it regularly. Some older aquarists swear by these and will never use anything else. Younger aquarists tend to dislike this type of filtration.

SPONGE
Consists of a sponge, airstone, airline tubing and an air pump. The rising bubbles create a flow similar to an undergravel filter, and particles are sucked to the sponge. Sponge filters are used for small tanks and breeding aquariums. The flow is weak enough for delicate fish and fry.

HANG OVER BACK POWER FILTERS (with 2 subtypes)
This type of filter (as suggested) hangs over the back of the tank with a tube going into the tank and an overflow into the tank. Water is pulled in through the feed tube, flows through the filter media, and overflows back into the tank. The filter media is contained so it can be rinsed on a regular basis and replaced as needed.
"REGULAR" HOB
Filter media is generally a sponge, a bag of activated carbon, and bio media (a place for bacteria to grow).
BIO WHEEL HOB
In addition to the filter media, there is a bio wheel that is spun by the water coming from the filter back into the tank. This filters out any leftover particles and provides another place for a bacteria bed. The filter media is uasually a "packet" insert of sponge-like material and activated carbon.

CANISTER
These are stronger filters that are generally used on larger aquariums. The water is taken in an intake tube or hose, goes down into the canister that contains the filter media, then back into the tank through the output. This creates a good current, but most canisters have an adjustable flow. There are several tupes of filter media to choose from, so in a way the filter is customizable to the needs of your aquarium.

I think I covered the basics. I did that strictly from memory, so anyone feel free to correct anything or add anything I left out.

HTH

I agree, I'd go with an aqua clear HOB filter, size dependant on tank. I recently put a penguin bio wheel filter on my ten and I think, although the two filters are similar, that next time I'll go with the ac, because of its ease of cleaning and more customizable filter media. Both are fine filters tho

Hello. I was wondering about the different types of filters avalible and about the pros and cons of each type. Thanks in advance.

i have a 20g with a emperor (HOB) on it and it works very well

Well I would not say no good,but if not properly cleaned they can become bad. A HOB as stated before with a intake tube reaching almost the bottom of the tank will be fine for a 20g. I would get one that does 200-300 gallons per hour. UGF's (under gravel filters donot offer mechanical filtration in most cases ie charcoal,etc.).

There are a lot of conflicting opinions on undergravel filters. In some ways I prefer an easier to maintain filter system.

thanks. so the under-gravel filters aren't good?

I agree....for the price and ease of use a Hang on Back (HOB) style filter will work the best for a 20 gallon.

I'm currently running an Aquaclear 150 on my 20 gallon, although they've switched the names of the AC's around in the past year or so and they now have new names .
With a HOB style filter you want the filter to turnover the tank about 7-10 times an hour. So a minimum of 140gallons per hour.

^_^[hr width='40%']"So take the photographs, and still frames in your mind.
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time...
It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right
[link=I hope]http://babelfish.qwertydigital.com/" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link] you had the time of your life"

You can try an aquaclear. They are dependable and you can stick whatever media you want into them.

For a 20 gallon, a HOB power filter is probably best.

Well, the tank is a 20 long and about fish I'm not sure yet. I'd like to know whatever you do, so whatever you've got, thanks.

Sorry too many filtration types to list. What size tank/s and what types of fish are you keeping or planning on keeping to narrow it down a bit.