Need Filter advice for 10 gal.

i've always used bigger filters than what is stated on the box, if it's for a 20 gallon, it goes on my 10, right now i have a 30g / rated on my 20 gallon. i would get the 30G filter for 2 bucks more and you can always adjust the flow rate if it's overkill, but i'm a guy, bigger is better :)
 
gph isnt always good to go by either, more importantly is how clean the filter gets the water does go through it. carbon also removes discolorations, odors, and a few other things. it is better to have it than to not have it, so just use it.
 
but its not very practical to go in an replace a carbon filter every week or two when that space would be better served with extra mechanical or bio filtration. carbon is essentially useless unless you need to remove something, and in a healthy tank, you shouldn't have to.
 
if you need that space for mech or bio, you are underfiltered in the first place.
 
My filter cartridges have little pieces of carbon imbedded in the mechanical filtration, so it doesn't take extra space. I use the bio-wheel kind.

Don't buy an undergravel filter- JUST DON"T

I always buy filters that are rated for larger tank sizes. I order my marineland filter cartridges at petguys or aquarium guys online. I can get the cartridges for my Marineland penguin bio-wheel 200 for about 1.70 each. So that only comes out to about 25 dollars worth of filter media a year. Its great!

Yeah, a pleco in a 10 gallon- might as well just park him at the filter intake. I would agree that he needs to find a new home.

Good Luck!
 
okay, when i started out with ym 10 gallon i got a AquaCLEAR Mini. I love it, i still use it.

But then!

Hydor came out witha enw filter called the Hydor Bravo.

It is a FORCE FEED. The water is taken in and force through the media. GREAT system. It is unlike and HOB filter i have seen. I use it on my 30 gallon and it is GREAT.

Check it out, the Hydor Bravo

http://www.hydor.it/inglese/bravo.htm

Unique back-hanging filter with cartridge function under pressure.
The water, pushed by the pump, flows through the filtering media even when it is clogged. Debris is held inside and is easily removed by changing the cartridge.

I build my own sponge Cartridge insert from bulk filter sponge at BigAl's

Anyway Good luck find what you like there is alot out there. I know my local BigAl's has one tank with ALL there filters running!. Cleanest tank you will ever see. Anyway, becuase of that i got to see the Hydor and how it works. I Love mine.
 
I use a penguin filter on my 10 gallon and it works just fine. I do not use the marineland cartridges since I don't use carbon... I put in filter material and just rinse it each week in tank water. I actually bought the small filter because the next size up blew my poor betta all over the place.
 
For 10g, you need at LEAST a 500gph rated filter, anything less and you are just playing around. :joke:

Seriously though, the Aquaclear Mini is a great choice. Also, the Eclipse System 1 is a great higher priced all-in-one system.
 
Thanks everyone for all the great advice. Went onto PetSmart.com and found the Whisper 30 for $19.99 with an 8 pk or refill carts. for $6.99. woohoo!! Was easy to set up, and seems to be working great. Had to turn it down to low, though, cuz my betta was having a FIT. All is well now... and the mollies are having a BLAST in the current. :) Thanks again!
 
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