We have a planted 40g breeder. 10 firebellies.
We use a 55g turtle filter. Crabon inserts. Filters changed once a week. Partial water change once a month. The external filters are overkill IMO. Now if my 10 were in say a planted 75 yeah a small canister... but thats just us i guess. We have never ever had a health issue(aside from them eatin their eggs lmao).
Regaurdless it cuts down maintenance, but everyones husbandry is different. We combine everyones methods, boil off the c-r-a-p and wind up with a good method.