Filtration for 55l

[Ashley_1988]

I have a Dennerle Scaper's 55l tank which I will be using as an Ancistrus Claro tank. I plan on using a sponge filter as well as a small internal filter as my filtration to work alongside regular water changes.

I will also be planting the tank with mosses and plants which will grow on rocks/wood (anubis etc) and was looking for advice on suitable internal filters which aren't too unsightly and would work well alongside a sponge filter, and not suck in any (hopeful) fry which are spawned.

[TwoTankAmin]

I have never been a fan of internal filters for several reasons:
1. They tank up tank space. This matters more the smaller a tank is.
2. The are more work to clean than a power filter.
3. They are somewhat ugly inside a tank.

But if you must use one and you expect to have fry in the tank, you may need to use a piece of sponge on the intake to prevent fry getting inside. Why not use a second sponge or a small power filter. The one drawback with sponges/foam filters is using carbon when needed can be a problem, Since I have no internal filters I have no idea how difficult it would be to put carbon in it becomes necessary.

I have a planted tank of similar size with white cloud mountain minnows and I run it with a pair of Hagen AquaClear 100s (20) which have homemade pre-filters on their intake.

[kvnbyl]

when you haul them out to clean you inevitably get water all over the front of the tank and the floor. you can minimize this by using a small pan and putting right up to the tank and transferring the filter to it but you still make a mes IMHE

[DBam]

How about an Aquaclear? They're terrific bang-for-your-buck and easy to clean. Plus you get the added bonus that it adds total water volume to your system where the internal filter doesn't. That's something I would value for a setup that size. I have Aquaclears that are decades old and still working like new. One of mine has run for years with only 3 out of 4 impeller blades; I butterfingers it during a filter cleaning and dropped the impeller on the floor. If you are able to run an external filter that's what I would try.

[Ashley_1988]

I currently have two sponge filters in my Nano Cube and will definitely use one in the Scaper's tank. I'd just like a little internal for flow and to also help pick up a little more waste in the tank.