Filter Changes

[deranged chipmunk]

I am thinking of converting to a sponge and canister filter. I am not sure whether I am going to keep my tetra whisper ex20, or just leave it there. It produces a fairly low current and I think my frogs are too big to really get sucked in. I tested it with my fingers and the whole barely takes up one finger and it was fairly easy to swim away from. I just hope my darlings aren't stupid enough to swim up the filter tube @_@ However I have heard of no one saying this?

But here are the models I was looking at for my 20 gallon:
Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters - Aquarium Filter and Fish Tank Filter from petco.com
Fluval 06 External Canister Filters - Aquarium Filter and Fish Tank Filter from petco.com
Hydor Professional Canister Filter at PETCO
Marineland C Series External Canister Filters at PETCO

Any suggestions on which is best? I intend to buy off of Amazon and try to save myself a couple of bucks.

And while you don't have ACFs, have you had any fish meets filter problems? Does the canister option help with that kind of issue? I know the sponge filter will not produce much current and is supposed to last for quite a bit!

Also it is quite strange! API does good liquid test kits, so I would have assumed they would do better in the filter department. ): Thanks for the heads up though!

They are all comparable. I tend to lean towards fluval. There is a huge battle over which is better, eheim or fluval. It's just a matter of preference.

I assume you mean problems with flow on the filters. Yes, I kept dwarf freshwater shrimp for years. The problem with them is their size when born, being just a few millimeters. A sponge or better yet, a piece of pantyhose over the filter inlet protected them brilliantly.

From what I understand, API actually produces very few products, they just brand them. The filstar line of filters are made by Rena, which was bought by API. I would guess that most of their products would be similar.

[elliotulysses]

They are all comparable. I tend to lean towards fluval. There is a huge battle over which is better, eheim or fluval. It's just a matter of preference.

I assume you mean problems with flow on the filters. Yes, I kept dwarf freshwater shrimp for years. The problem with them is their size when born, being just a few millimeters. A sponge or better yet, a piece of pantyhose over the filter inlet protected them brilliantly.

From what I understand, API actually produces very few products, they just brand them. The filstar line of filters are made by Rena, which was bought by API. I would guess that most of their products would be similar.

I think I will probably go with a fluval and a canister filter. I just will be patient and add them at the same time and let them seed.
I just was wondering what fluval model would be best for a 20 gallon?
As for sponges, I have no idea where to even start looking for them. As in, which brand.