Best filter for small tank

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Collegekid

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What, in your opinion, is the best filter for a small tank? I plan on buying a 15 gallon for an axolotl and want to make sure I get one that will work well, will be quiet, won't cost way too much, and won't have too strong a current. I read on the page about filters that the zoo med 501 was good, what do you think? Any other suggestions?
 
any small sponge, air powered filter will be fine. they're also very cheep, and virtually sound less.
 
I find small air-powered filters are good. I use one for my small axie tank and it creates no current, it also filters really well. Ask at your pet shop about them.
 
A 501 would be overkill on a 15, but they are good filters.

I agree with the others that a simple sponge or air driven filter would work fine. I wonder if a Tetra 3i would be enough? It's a very small air driven filter and I used it successfully with 3 juveniles in a 20.

You could always build your own filter for that size tank. Check out Youtube for some ideas. I'm going to be building a couple myself for my newt tanks.

I would stay clear of internal filters like the Tetra 10i or larger because internal filters will generate a lot of extra heat. Internal filters have the motor submerged. Air driven are hooked up to an external air pump. In case you didn't know the difference. ;)
 
I think I know what kind of filter you are talking about. In the ten gallon tank I had as a kid we had a filter that was a clear box with filter media (carbon and some sort of white cottony stuff) inside that went in the bottom of the tank with a tube coming out, attached to a little buzzing box (which I guess is the air pump). Is that what you're talking about? If not could you show me an example because everything I find is power filters, internal filters, or canister filters.
 
OKay, I found the tetra 3i, so I guess it's not what I'm talking about, or maybe what I had was an old school version. The description said it's only for up to 3 gallons though, I don't want to get something that will heat up the tank but I want to make sure it stays clean, do you think it'll be enough?
 
I have a Tetra Waterwonders Filter 10 Gallon Driftwood . My axy and I love it. It likes to hang out under the opening built into it and plus it has a built in filter within the structure. It does product a little flow but nothing that bothers my axy. Also it has a line for an air pump built into it but I don't use it for that. I use the line to remove water from the tank and add more water so that it doesn't bother the axy. Plus you can get more filter pads for it.
 

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That Tetra Waterwonders filter contains an internal filter system that will generate some heat. In such a small body of water (15 gallons), I would be very concerned about the temperature being too high for an axolotl.

I would say a hang on the back (HOB) would be a better choice over this - my opinion. You can control the outflow with the use of additional filter wool, a block at the water surface, my method of using artificial reptile vines, or jclee's method of using a soda bottle with the ends cut off and a slit down the side so that it fits over the water fall.

The benefits of this cartridge type filtration system is ease of changing media. The homemade will be a bit more time consuming, but I don't think you can beat the cost as I understand that is also a factor (hence why I'm going to be building a few myself!!).
 
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I have a small 'waterfall' filter that hangs on to the side of my 10 gallon I'm currently housing my juvie in. It works great and produces a very very small amount of current. This could be an option too... :)
 
For pros and cons of various filters, see:
Caudata Culture Articles - Filters

The easiest filter to maintain on this type of tank is the hang-on-back waterfall type. Then the only concern is how to disperse the flow so that it doesn't make a current in the tank, but this can be managed. The only noise is the sound of trickling water.

The zoomed 501 would be fine for this size tank. I have 3 of these filters, all running on 15-gallon or 20-long tanks. The only disadvantage of this kind of filter is that it's a bigger pain to clean out.

If you get a bubble-driven filter of any kind, you'll hate the noise unless you get a really quiet air pump. I recommend Rena air pumps. They are the quietest that I've ever owned.
 
I might just get a hang on back water fall type and aim it at a wall or something, one with an adjustable flow. That's what I can mostly find in the stores anyway, I'd rather not build anything and don't want any sound if possible since I have a roommate. Plus I'm used to a HOB as that's what I have on my fish tank. I was under the impression that waterfall types were absolute no-no's but since it seems some people here have them I think I'll go with that.

I also found out that we have an Axolotl in my Bio lab class, I was excited to see one, I want to find out where they got it but my teacher didn't know, it belongs to another teacher.
 
Is it used as a teaching tool? I was always interested in the genetically modified axolotls.

'my god air pumps are noisy, no matter what you get, the quietest ones keep me awake'

also just to add a fluval u1 is pretty good fora 15gal tank, and has ajustable flow (built in spray bar) but is a submersible.
 
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Nah, I think he's just a class pet, they had some sort of toad in there too (different tank of course). He looked like a wild type from pics I've seen here.
 
i see cloudy recommended the fluval u1. Would that be fine to use with a 10 gallon tank with just one axolotl, bearing this would be the first real experience with any sort of aquarium. also how big is the unit? looks kinda bulky in some images ive seen

and shannon was saying about heat generated from submersed filters, is this a problem with this filter?
 
it's not too bulky the 15gal filter is most likely around hand sized, there isn't much media.
I have something a little more powerful than that model, which hasn't brought the tank temp [not my axie tank mind] up anything noticeable, probably around half a DC if anything
 
dragonlady said:
Or building your own as demonstrated here:
Click to expand...

I swapped my power filter for a filter like this during the summer because I was worried about the extra heat. I took the filter media out of the power filter and cannibalised it so the new home-made filter would be cycled. On top of that I piled river rocks to try to disguise it (it isn't very pretty) and also to protect the axie from the sharp plastic edges. It works well, I can see small bits of floating debris get sucked up into it quite effectively.

One thing I would say is make sure the 'outlet' for the air is as high above the base as possible otherwise the turbulence from the bubbles reduces it's effectiveness. Here's one of my versions attached.
 

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