Best Canister Filter for a 20?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I have axolotls, they are VERY VERY dirty fish, they poop A LOT and it fouls the water VERY fast
An AC110 could comfortably handle a 75 gallon tank of regular stocking. It’s the largest HOB filter on the market. It would be more than enough filtration for an axolotl 20 gallon.
 
Theres micro canisters out there, but honestly your best bet is hob's.

I have a couple of ac30s on singe 20L puffer tanks. They do really well, but cannot clean up after a puffer on their own. I have to change water around 4 times a week to clean up after them and clean the filters pretty regular.

You will have to clean your filter regularly so you want something easy to get to so hob is def the way to go. If the flow is too much then use plant filtration or a sponge.

Water changes are ultimately going to be your savior or a larger tank to dilute the water more.
 
Theres micro canisters out there, but honestly your best bet is hob's.

I have a couple of ac30s on singe 20L puffer tanks. They do really well, but cannot clean up after a puffer on their own. I have to change water around 4 times a week to clean up after them and clean the filters pretty regular.

You will have to clean your filter regularly so you want something easy to get to so hob is def the way to go. If the flow is too much then use plant filtration or a sponge.

Water changes are ultimately going to be your savior or a larger tank to dilute the water more.
Lol overkill then suggest a ac110
I guve up.
Lol overkill then suggest a ac110
LOL...then makes same suggestion. I’m out. “Theres micro canisters out there, but honestly your best bet is hob's.”
 
I have a small 30gal community tank at home for fun and was running an antique fluval 203 canister filter on it. when the plants all took root and the tank fully cycled and balanced out, I removed it and threw a seachem tidal 55 on it from a suggestion from a friend of mine. man I just luv this filter. u can have it draw water right at the top from a built in surface skimmer if so desired. or draw from the extendable tube or from both. self cleaning impeller, huge media basket and best of all, the design allows one to fully customize their media choice from anywhere. not stuck buying one brands products and or what they decide needs to be in your filter eh.. fantastic HOB filter in my opinion
 
i had a SUNSUN "micro canister" like you see on ebay. Small round white canister with an external inline pump and green "eheim tubing".

it was.... ehhhh, ok, i guess. i had it on a 5gal. it was good for a 5gal. no real room for bio. just 3 filter sponges. i added a small bag of bio at the bottom under the filter riser on the exit side. this way i could clean the sponges without disrupting the bio.

for a 20gal, i wouldn't bother.
 
i had a SUNSUN "micro canister" like you see on ebay. Small round white canister with an external inline pump and green "eheim tubing".

it was.... ehhhh, ok, i guess. i had it on a 5gal. it was good for a 5gal. no real room for bio. just 3 filter sponges. i added a small bag of bio at the bottom under the filter riser on the exit side. this way i could clean the sponges without disrupting the bio.

for a 20gal, i wouldn't bother.
The problem is I dont have room for a HOB filter because in the back of the tank I have a fan to cool the water down
 
im saying that the small sunsun ebay canister filters are going to be too small for the 20gal. An old eheim 2215 or the 2217 with a spray bar would be suitable. BUT cleaning them are a PITA...

an aquatop from Amazon will be ALLOT easier to clean and prime. I wouldn't put too much faith in the flow rates on most of the "off brand" canisters. So even though it says its "good for a 110gal tank", its probably only sufficient for a 55. If youre worried about the current it will create, just use the supplied spray bars.
 
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