Elite Stingray Underwater Filters?

[webcricket]

I'm "inheriting" a 5 gallon tank and it has everything except a working filter. I'm planning on throwing a plant and some driftwood in it to house a single betta, so I won't be needing heavy filtration - just a little something to keep water moving. I was checking out the Elite Stingray Underwater filters - does anyone have any experience with these?

 

[plah831]

I've heard that fish can get inside them, but don't know how since I've never actually looked at one of those. But I heard that on a dwarf puffer forum, so we're dealing with small very inquisitive fishies

here's the thread, it's long but it talks about how her dwarf puffers got sucked right into the intake.
http://dwarfpuffers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1415&highlight=stingray

 

[Toirtis]

They look cool but are pricey and have very little media or filtration capability...get yourself an AquaClear 30 instead.

 

[Hurley]

I've heard that fish can get inside them, but don't know how since I've never actually looked at one of those. But I heard that on a dwarf puffer forum, so we're dealing with small very inquisitive fishies

here's the thread, it's long but it talks about how her dwarf puffers got sucked right into the intake.
http://dwarfpuffers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1415&highlight=stingray

eek!! Kind of freaky about the DP. But I have used the stingray filter without problems for about a year now. They don't have alot of room for media but they have fufilled what I need them to do. I have never had a problem with them falling apart, infact I have had trouble getting the intake to come off so they might have had a defective one. Another filter I found that works pretty well, although it might be a bit strong (I just point it towards one of the walls) is the Cascade 300. I can get it for about $12 around me but I have seen it more expensive in other places.

 

[fanch313]

I've been using a stingray for a while in a 10 gallon planted tank at my office...and i wouldn't recommend them.
#1. The mechanical media is very porous, which means it leaves alot of small stuff floating around the water.
#2. The carbon inserts have to be repaced every two weeks or so and they are kind of hard to find.
#3. They are really bulky. I have to maintain a small forest of bicopa to hide the thing.

I would instead look into the Tetra internal filters...I have a 5-10 in my quarantine tank and love it. very quiet, easy to clean and find refills, and you can add extra media if you want. I found mine at a Walmart for $10.

P.S. they have a control switch for water flow, too!