Question: What kind of filter should I get?

[zombieaddict]

I'm getting some little axolotl. They'll be my first and they'll be housed in a 20 gallon tank until they get a little bit bigger. Then they're going into the 65 gallon I'm setting up. The trouble is that I can't decide what kind of filter to get!

At first I was debating on this one:
Amazon.com: AquaClear 70 Power Filter - 110 V, UL Listed (Includes AquaClear 70 Carbon, AquaClear 70 Foam & AquaClear 70 BioMax: Pet Supplies

But now I find myself second guessing myself. The breeder I'm getting them from suggested using a sponge filter but I don't know much at all about them. Could anybody recommend a brand or specific item that I could use in the 65 gallon tank? I can't afford to spend a fortune but something about $70 or less I could manage. I do know that you can make one yourself with some pipe, sponge, and an air pump but could something that simple properly filter a tank that large? If not, are there any DIY filters that would work with a tank that size? I do just love the DIY projects. They're generally less expensive and you have a lot more control over quality.

 

[Kaysie]

If they're tiny, I wouldn't use anything bigger than a sponge filter. They're basically the same, the only thing that differs is the size. I'm running a 125 gal filter in an 80 gallon guppy tank right now and it works just fine.

With an expensive air pump and top end sponge filter, you might could spend $50 on the whole set up.

 

[sde]

I have a Topfin multi-stage 40 and I love it!

It is a internal filter and it gives three stage cleaning.
It uses a spray bar ( optional use ), I just point it at the wall of the aquarium and it doesn't create very much current.
If you are going to use a sponge filter in a 65 gallon tank I would suggest using at least 4 of them.
But like Kaysie said it may suck them in, it depends on the size of the axis.
Also it has two speeds. I hope this helps!

 

[zombieaddict]

They're suppose to be 2" in length, so not tiny but still on the small end of the scale.

With the sponge filters, is there a way to rig an air pump with multiple filters or do you have to have a separate pump for each filter?

 

[layna]

You can buy splitters for air pumps so you can run two sponge filters with one pump but youd have to have a powerful enough one to draw bubbles up the two tubes