Building a Custom Filter or Buying Overhang..?

[Abby Ru]

I've been thinking about building some custom filters but need to do it on a budget since I have a bunch of tanks. Do you guys feel that a simple overhang filter would do better than a custom build filter pad over the intake of a powerhead?

What is more efficient? a custom build filter where the media is cheap or say.. an aquaclear 120 or similar?

here is a video of what I'm talking about. My tanks are mostly below 55 gallon in size
[YT]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cchonlc_Z8c[/YT]
Video Source Link

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Doctors Foster and Smith online often have the HOT MAGNUMS on sale for $50. They're well made and very reliable. (THE H.O.T.MODEL) They seem to work much better than any other small filter I've used and you can plumb other things into the intake or returns like spray bars, bio wheels and sponges. I do enjoy making my own filters for my bigger tanks, but my smaller ones all have at least one HOT MAGNUM. My 2 cents, only.