Trying To Get Back Into The Hobby

[Xavier]

Haven't had my aquarium going since like 2006, i'm starting from scratch now.
What would you all consider to be the top rated type of filter media? biowheel,sponge , canister....etc.

 

[glolite]

Depends what type of tank you have. Size? Fish stocking etc.

 

[OldMan47]

The biowheels are good at being biofilters but are noisy when in use due to the splashing sounds when the filter is running. All of the main filter types will do an adequate job of biofiltration. Canisters can go much longer between cleanings but the cleaning is more work than cleaning a HOB filter. I like plain sponge filters driven by power heads for my fry and breeding tanks because they get a layer of microorganisms on the outside that the fry can pick at for food between feedings and they don't suck up fry. Unfortunately the sponges are not very nice looking filters so they are no good for a display tank. For nice quiet running in a display tank, I don't think you can beat a good canister. Most of that filter is out of sight housed in the tank stand and all you see a re a couple of hoses. Each filter has its strengths so there really is no "best" filter type.

 

[Xavier]

Depends what type of tank you have. Size? Fish stocking etc.

20-5 gallons

 

[OldMan47]

For ma 20-25 gallon tank, I would look at the Rena XP1 canister, the AC Product line for a nice HOB and a Fluval 2+ for an internal. Any of them will work but the specific one that suits you best is still up to you and what you will be doing with the tank. In my own tanks, I would also consider a nice sponge filter designed for a 30 gallon tank with the AC power head that is meant for a 30 gallon tank, the model 301. This setup would not be one for the main living area as a display tank but would be a practical arrangement.

 

[waterdrop]

For a 20-25G you are right in the range that can be served by all the main filter types, sponge, internal, HOB or cannister and OM47 has laid out a nice set of pros and cons to help you with your decision. Just wanted to toss in a post to agree. A small external cannister such as the XP1 mentioned or a nice Eheim would certainly be the most quiet, deluxe way to go, but the others all have their advantages too. For a display tank, I also like the option of an inline heater that's spliced in to the external filter return hose, so that its not seen in the display tank and so that its heat is evenly distributed. Having larger amounts of media volume in your filtration is always a good thing.

~~waterdrop~~