Filter Success? (can’t Come Up With Name For This Thread)

So in my 20 gal fish tank,I have a filter with Top Fin carbon cartridges. I change them out about every month, but I was wondering if there maybe a better way to do this or a good filter. I don’t really like using the carbon cartridges, so what’s a good filter for a 20 gallon tank? It has to be 6 inches wide or less. The cutout in the lid for the filter isn’t very big.

I don’t know what filter it is, it came in a starter kit with the tank.

 

Oh and it need to be an HOB filter.

 

I'd recommend Fluval Aquaclear HOB's. It's a bit more expensive than some other brands but it's worth the investment, because the filter media gives beneficial bacteria a lot of surface area to grow. Plus as long as you rinse the media with every water change, you won't need to replace it until it's literally falling apart.

 

You may not have to replace your entire filter if you only want to change the type of filter media you use. I know many people who buy a huge hunk of pond filter sponge, and just cut off a piece that fits in the filter. Just give it a squish in a bucket of dirty tank water once a week and you're good to go!

 

Ok thanks guys.

 

The new filter sponge/foam got here todayM I’m in the process of adding them slowly into the tanks to make sure I don’t throw off the BB. balance.

 

Sounds awesome!

 

I would do layers of filter floss on the bottom and ceramic rings. That’s generally how I used to do my HOB.

 

I would do layers of filter floss on the bottom and ceramic rings. That’s generally how I used to do my HOB.

Ok thanks!