The best sponge filter on the market is the ATI(lustar) Hydrosponge Bio Filter. They have knockoffs which are similar and probably work just as well (Hydra Aquatics Bio-Sponge Filtration is a good one). Thats the design your looking for.
I run an eheim 2215 on my 11.4 gallon Mr. Aqua rimless heavily planted taiwan fire shrimp tank with a 13mm Rhinox SS filter cap to prevent babies from being sucked into the intake. Other options would be a filter like an aquaclear with a lustar filtermax prefilter stuck on the intake to protect the babies from being sucked up. So many options...