Planted Tank Filtration Recommendations

[2manytanks]

Hi! I’m new to the hobby — dove right in thanks to AqCoop! I’m moving everything from my 5 gal betta tanks to 10 to 20 gal tanks. I am currently using all ACO sponge filters and one HOB, but was considering switching to small canisters for the larger cubes. Any thoughts on this? I tend to lean toward more maintenance free and natural options, so I don’t know if a canister is a good fit. All of my tanks are heavily planted and low tech. Thank you all in advance!

[Fish Folk]

Personally, I just do sponges in tanks that size — usually two small ones in back corners. A cannister seems overkill  until you move up a size.

But they really are nice! I use an Oase cannister on a 45 gal, and love the flow. 

[Pepere]

With heavily planted and Co2, canisters make more sense in my opinion to have flow to keep co2 bubbles in suspension. I have one on my 20 high.

 

I dont know if I would take on that expense without co2.  I just am not sure.

[JoeQ]

If it were me I would not go with a canister on a 20g or below with a betta. Without damping the output you'll be blowing that poor little guy all over the tank! In that situation, I'd probably opt for a hang on back with a bubbler or a sponge filter (which takes up precious plant real-estate) in troublesome low flow area(s).

[JimOp]

In a 20 gallon a canaster would be overkill especially for Betta. Betta are slow water fish, normally found in shallow slow moving waters like rice paddies, swamps and slow streams. They can also breath air and can survive in stagnant water, it's why they survive in the tiny cups. As stated previously a sponge filter would be fine. It is both mechanical and biological filtration and will provide sufficient surface agitation for oxygen exchange for any other fish you may add to the tank. 

You being here and asking questions puts you miles ahead above someone new that gets all their advice from someone from Petco or other stores. Keep up the good work.

[nabokovfan87]

On 6/30/2023 at 4:56 PM, JoeQ said:

If it were me I would not go with a canister on a 20g or below with a betta.

@TeeJay can you share your experience on your tank with the small x07 filter?

I believe you also tested the spray bar option?

I agree though, probably a bit too strong for a Betta, I do think there are canisters that make sense for 20G and up tanks.

[Pepere]

@nabokovfan87, I put a 107 with a spray bar on my 20 high.  By aiming it up to the surface for agitation the highest flow is the top inch of water and about 1 inch thick down the front glass.

I have no experience with Bettas, but I see fish lazily swimming within an inch of the surface and lazily swimming an inch back from the glass.

I also see Neons and Halequin Rasboras playing surfing the current on the front glass.  They know right where it is…

you could easily enlarge the holes in the spraybar to reduce exit velocity of the water to ease flow issues if desired.

[TeeJay]

On 7/1/2023 at 6:18 PM, nabokovfan87 said:

@TeeJay can you share your experience on your tank with the small x07 filter?

I believe you also tested the spray bar option?

I agree though, probably a bit too strong for a Betta, I do think there are canisters that make sense for 20G and up tanks.

Yes I have a 207 on my 20 long tank. I have use it with and without the spray bar. I prefer the spray bar to ease of controlling the flow. I only run the filter at about 50 percent power for my cpds and aspidoras. If you do crank it all the way up you can get some serious movement though.

I think im this case with a Betta in the tank I would use the spray bar and keep the flow aimed down the back wall of the tank. I think that would give you the easiest flow. But it still could be strong for a long fim Betta. Imo I would go with a sponge filter and hob with a baffle to help keep the flow easy but still get good surface agitation and the sponge filter will give the extra oxygenation.

[Peaceful Fish]

 20 gallon works fine with a sponge filter, under gravel or hang on back.  I would not consider a canister on anything smaller than a 75 gallon. 

[Pepere]

On 7/3/2023 at 6:10 PM, Peaceful Fish said:

 I would not consider a canister on anything smaller than a 75 gallon. 

I added canister filters to 2, 29 gallon tanks and my only regret is not having done it much sooner.  Improved flow, better CO2 suspension in water column, less filter maintenance, less power consumption… less current carrying wires in tank, less items in tank disturbing aesthetic.  It has all been positive in my personal experience…

[Peaceful Fish]

I’m sure it works great.  I don’t care for the potential of a leak or restart failure with a canister filter. I’d rather use an air pump with filtration inside the tank (sponge or UGF) and eliminate any potential for a leak on my hardwood floors.  I sleep better with simple and low tech in my tanks. Certainly everyone is different. I’ve run almost everything and now prefer simple and minimalist in my set up. A gravel vac or sponge rinse is easy for me to do with a water change.  

[Pepere]

I have a fondness for air driven filtration… It has a lot of benefits if you are not using pressure injection of CO2.

I wasnt able to figure out balancing a tank without CO2 to keep Algae to a minimum..

I plan on trying again in the future, and have some ideas to try out in that respect… but for now I am happy with results I am getting.

I suspect most issues with canister filter leaks are due to not following maintenance schedule.  Clean, inspect, and lube O ring every month, replace it yearly or if  you see signs of degradation.

 

Without question every method has its own assortment of pros and cons…