Best Filter For Money?

[Katty]

So I've been planning to get a new filter. Right now I'm using a Hagen Aquaclear 20, and I guess it's not bad but it's almost physically too small to fit onto the back of my 20g tank and so is tilted back at an odd angle and isn't doing its job as well as it should. So I should probably replace it soon. I was originally thinking I'd just get the next size up of the AC filter and call it good. Looking around, I see that's about $50 dollars (USD) [edit: Somehow missed the AC 30 on the store website, which is only like $30, but still).

If I'm going to have to spend a good chunk of money on a filter, I might as well make sure I'm getting something with the best value for the job it does, is dependable, long-lasting, etc. I don't mean the cheapest thing that works, I mean the most worth-the-money filter.

I've kind of been looking at the smaller canister filters, but I'm not really sure if that would be overkill on a 20g tank or if it's even a good idea in general? What filter(s) would you recommended? And I could just go with the next biggest AC, but I might as well check here before I cough up money on the thing.

I am in the USA by the way.

 

[Doc7]

I have an AC30 on my 20 tall - it comes with an adjustment piece that attaches at the bottom of the filter, which has enough friction that it will hold the filter in place at a horizontal angle but also allows you to push on it to make adjustments. Are you sure you installed this piece and used it correctly?

(this would be an obviously free adjustment to the filter you already have, which you don't state having any issues with other than the angle it rests at. you could even just wedge a piece of rubber/wood/plastic/anything in there, or tape a Lego piece, etc, onto the "box" part of the filter between the filter and the tank, and it will hold it at the right angle via the same principle. you want to push the "box" away from the back wall of the tank, bringing the filter to a "level" position)


i just rushed this, but here ya go...the pink in the left image shows the adjustment kit included with my AC filter, and the one on the right shows where you can install your own piece. if you have a background/etc it won't even be noticed obviously.

 

[Katty]

The problem isn't that. It's that the black plastic rim of the aquarium is almost too big to fit into the hangover of the filter. Even if I use the adjustment piece it physically cannot be in any other position(without breaking anything), since it's wayyy too tight on the tank.

It's not THAT slanted (hard to draw in paint) but the couple or so millimeters of tilt make a difference in how much water comes out.

You said you have a AC 30, which is a little bigger so the answer seems obvious enough. The 20 is just too small for this tank, I'm thinking its made more for 10 gallons rather than "20" like in the name. And I guess I could get the next size up of AC (the 30 or whatever) but then that's what lead me to this post in the first place, whether I should just get a bigger AC or try something else while I'm at it.

 

[Doc7]

I'm still cycling so I can't recommend buying or avoiding the AC30. It gets high marks here, for people who are into HOBs anyway.

 

[Katty]

It's a good filter, no doubt, when it fits correctly. Sometimes I have to fight with it to get it to start back up after a water change but thats another story. I'm just curious whether there's anything else anyone would recommend. I don't hate ACs or anything, its just this one is too small ever since I up-sized my tank. If everyone says to go with another AC I'll just go with another AC.

 

[Tolak]

Trim back the rim a little. This is an every day fix for hob filters.

 

[Katty]

What should I trim it with?

 

[Tolak]

A file works if you like to take your time, a dremil tool grinds it down pretty quick.

 

[Katty]

Err... I'm not really one for power tools. I just got an idea so I folded up some thin cardboard and stuck it under the filter lip, kind of like a booster seat. So now it's at the correct angle and everything but the flow still isn't very impressive... I think I cleaned this thing a week or two ago, not sure if it got gunked up again already or what... I have a sponge over the intake right now so my neons don't get sucked up (has happened before), but it's not really an option to take that off.

Video of the filter - turn down the volume! I accidentally bumped the microphone with my hand so it makes a loud noise.

I just realized how dumb my filter looks. It has a plastic soda bottle taped on top, cardboard underneath, and a sponge on the intake.