Filter For A 20 Long

Hello fish friends.

I'm finally setting up my 20 gal long tank that I've had forever, and getting ready to transfer my 10 gallon stock to the 20. The filter I have on my 10 gallon is the aqueon quietflow 10. Says its good for up to 20 gallons and 100 gph flowrate. I'm a little skeptical on if that is enough for the 20 long.

What are your thoughts? Is this enough? Should I bump up the filtration? If so, what would you guys recommend? I don't really want a canister filter right now, I'd like to stick with the HOB for the time being, and would like to keep it under around $40 if possible.

My 10 gallon stock right now is 4 zebra danios and 1 diamond tetra. I'm not sure what my future stock will be but lets just say 4 danios, 4 diamond tetras, a few guppies and with a few snails (just guessing).

 

I am a huge fan of 2 filters per tank even in small tanks. I'd say keep the HOB but also add a sponge filter (You can get a whisper 20 air pump for less than $20 and sponge filters are CHEAP! and last forever).

 

I don't think a Aqueon 10 would really be a good option for a 20 gallon tank. I think you should get aquaclear 20, they work much more better and quieter compared to aqueon. Also have more filtration layers.

 

Typically you want 10x the aquarium's capacity as the flow rate. So for a 20 gallon you want 200 GPH in filtration. Your Aqueon currently provides 100gph. Adding another filter, like an Aquaclear 20, will add on top of the Aqueon's filtration.

I recommend adding an Aquaclear 20 in combination with the Aqueon 10 you have right now for a total of 200 GPH. If you can't fit in two filters, a single Aquaclear 50 will have 200 GPH. Just transfer the media from the Aqueon into the new filter if you are going to switch it out.

 

Ive heard you should get a filter double the tank size. A 20 gallon filter will just move the water, a 40 gallon will filter through the water nicely.

 

Your filtration is perfectly fine, although more doesn’t hurt. It really depends on your stocking. For instance, you really wouldn’t need 8 or 10x the filtration in a 10 gallon with just a single betta, right? So as of now you’re good. After you add guppies, you’re still probably good.