Filter Recommendations?

[rustiscool]

So I've been through three filters now... the first two were HOB filters. I suspected they stopped working because I use sand in my tank, and even after cleaning the sand out of the mechanics they still stopped working fairly quickly.

The third filter that was a sponge filter that I got recently. My main problem was that I couldn't even really tell if it was working (it was bubbling but I couldn't tell if it was sucking stuff up). And now the bubbler it was connected to suddenly stopped working.

I could just get a new bubbler, but I'm awfully tired of going through filters and I wasn't two pleased with the sponge one anyway. Can you guys recommend a really good filter that will work for a 20 gallon tank with sand substrate, AND will last for a long time? I've heard good things about canister filters, is there one with a gentle enough flow for a 20 gallon?

 

[axolotl nerd]

So I've been through three filters now... the first two were HOB filters. I suspected they stopped working because I use sand in my tank, and even after cleaning the sand out of the mechanics they still stopped working fairly quickly.

The third filter that was a sponge filter that I got recently. My main problem was that I couldn't even really tell if it was working (it was bubbling but I couldn't tell if it was sucking stuff up). And now the bubbler it was connected to suddenly stopped working.

I could just get a new bubbler, but I'm awfully tired of going through filters and I wasn't two pleased with the sponge one anyway. Can you guys recommend a really good filter that will work for a 20 gallon tank with sand substrate, AND will last for a long time? I've heard good things about canister filters, is there one with a gentle enough flow for a 20 gallon?

i highly recommend sponge filters, it may seem like they’re not sucking things up but i promise you they are - the water is like black when i rinse them out. i’d just get a new pump. i also have a sand substrate and HOB filters failed me as well

 

[WaterLily05]

What if you got an AquaClear hang on back (they are well known for their durability and long lastingness) and put an intake sponge over it? Fluval Edge intake sponges perfectly fit AquaClear intakes. This is how I have my tanks set up and it is working well. My 20 long axolotl tank has an aquaclear 50 and the flow is not too strong at all. What brand filters did you try in the past?