Question: Mini canister filter vs. waterfall filter?

[kvetch]

Hullo, hullo... I'm incredibly new to the fine art of raising axolotls. Before heading off into college, I'll be piecing together a nice 10 gallon tank for a squishy little buddy to share my dorm with me.

I mention this because I'm stuck when it comes to filters! The two quietest filters I can find for my tank size are a mini canister filter and a waterfall filter, and the only reason quietness matters is because of considerations of a roommate in college. Cost matters because I'm a broke pre-college student, and current matters because it's a little 'lawddle of course.

From past experience, I'd like to know: which of the two would you recommend? And are there any particular brands and models you'd recommend for a 10 gallon tank?

 

[Jennewt]

The problems with the mini-canister are that it will take up desk space (which is a precious commodity in a dorm room) and it's messier to clean than the waterfall types.

The internal waterfall filter is cheap and effective (to see photos, google "tetra 10i" or "tetra reptofilter"). It won't make any noise if you put it level with the water level (no actual water "fall"). The only downside of the internal waterfall is that you'll need to be creative to figure out a way to disperse the current.

 

[Darkmaverick]

Hi kvetch,

Just in case you haven't come across this article, it very finely compares and contrasts different filter types. Might be useful for you to make your decision.

http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/filters.shtml

Cheers.

 

[kvetch]

Jennewt,

Thank you for the recommendation, I've been glancing through the different sorts of waterfalls, and frankly I look forward to working the design of the tank into the splash of the waterfall!

And Rayson,

Thank you; I'd found that earlier, and it helped a lot! I just wanted a more axolotl-oriented view on the information, in case there was anything I didn't know about their interactions with filters.

Thank you both for the help. <3

 

[tran]

Hi there. It's nice that you are so considerate of your room mates :happy:

There are these mini-canister filters that hang on the side and can filter up to 20 gal so maybe you wont have to sacrifice desk space after all. This is just one example, I'm not suggesting you should buy from here for this particular brand. Hopefully this link works [Rapids Mini Canister Filter]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+16742&pcatid=16742

It's pretty cheap too at $32. So yeah, that could be something to consider. I can't say I have experience with "mini" canister filters, but I have a regular sized Eheim canister filter for my 55 gal tank and can report that it is really quiet - I have to put my ears next to the filter to make sure it's working, that's how quiet it is!

Have fun in college I'm sure your axolotl will have fun too