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I am hoping to start up some small ~5 gal. specimen or nano tanks. One will have a pair of dwarf crayfish (when I say dwarf, I mean these things don't get bigger than 2 inches, and will not harm fish at all) and maybe a trio of male fancy guppies. The other I'm hoping to have a trio of khuli loaches and/or a betta. The tanks will be moderately, but not hevily planted, mostly with mosses, anubias, and maybe some aponogetons. The tanks are an unusual octogon shape, with about 5-6 inch sides. I plan on getting little 25 watt heaters for them.
But what kinds of filters are good for tanks this small? Is an air-powered filter good enough, such as this: http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/smallbowlsupplies/Class/Small+Bowl+Supplies/T1/F23+0051+0229/EDP/41435/Itemdy00.aspx
or the small-world filter: http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/small%2cworld/Class//T1/F30+0291+0267/EDP/11299/Itemdy00.aspx
Or would this nano HOB filter be better: http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/smallbowlsupplies/Class/Small+Bowl+Supplies/T1/F28+0462+0513/EDP/40076/Itemdy00.aspx

Any suggestions?

Hoping that there must be a word for everything I mean...

I would go for a HOB filter, as it takes less space in the tank, than an internal filter.


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Jason has a good point. A HOB filter will keep your small tank very clean and will not stir up too much current if sized properly, while not taking up precious tank space.

Last edited by divertran at 11-Oct-2005 15:36

Looking at the pics I'd go with the HOB as well.

Sure the penplax is cheaper but I just trust HOB's more. From the looks of it the outflow lip on the HOB you linked to is quite low which IME means there'll be minimal splashing. jasonpisani comment about tank space is a very valid point in a tank so small.

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