Best filter for 10g planted tank

[ricey0809]

Hey guys, does anyone have any suggestions or idea to what kinda filter name and brand would be best for a 10 gal planted tank. I was looking for something that would not move/disrupt the water too much. I plan to keep the tank shrimps and plants only with maybe 2-3 oto cats if that. At first i was thinking of a under gravel filter since that would make the tank look really nice with no bulky filter showing, but then i heard planted tanks and UG filters should never go together. Any advice would be alot of help thanks.

 

[js302]

a small internal fluval ?
a couple of air driven sponge filters?

its a small tank so its a bit difficult!

http://www.aquariumguys.com/fluvalinternal.html

 

[ricey0809]

yeah when i first started this hobby i thought the smaller the tank the easier it would be... i was wrong....
thanks for the suggestions ill look into it, any other advice would be of great help.

 

[bitteraspects]

zoo med 501. That's what a lot of aquascapers are using on their planted nanos.
You could also look into the TOM aquatics rapids mini canister. But the 501 is better.

 

[Yanbbrox]

Under gravel are a bad way to go when your going so small, plus it will plus all the plant nutrients into the filter.

 

[ricey0809]

ahh i see, so thats why they say UG filters are not as good... also is the zoo med 501 for turtle tanks? they can be used for small plant tanks too?

 

[bitteraspects]

ahh i see, so thats why they say UG filters are not as good... also is the zoo med 501 for turtle tanks? they can be used for small plant tanks too?

That's the one.
It is commonly used for nano aquascapes. You can also run it with lilly pipes for a cleaner look of you wanted.
I have a couple, and they're great for small planted tanks..

 

[ricey0809]

Oh wow, just looked up lilly pipes on google. With those pipes the tank would looks great and have a much cleaner look. I'v only been doing this for maybe alittle more then a year so still alot of things i need to learn. IF i wanted to get lilly pipes to replace the ones that come with the zoo med 501 where would i get them and how would i know if they fit.

 

[bitteraspects]

The 501 takes the 9mm Lily Pipes. (I have to check mine, but I'm almost positive its the 9mm pipes)
If you have someone locally that carries ADA equipment that would he your best bet. Otherwise you'd have to order them online.

 

[FSM]

ADA brand lily pipes will cost 5x the price of the filter

Get some cheap ones off ebay if you really want them.