What are some ideal filters for a 20 gallon tank? I would also like suggestions

[TessaStarraphobia]

I'd suggest this filter: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754143&lmdn=Fish+Filtration+%26amp%3B+Circulation
I went through 3 different kinds before finding this one. This is my absolute favorite. It is easily clogged by debris when you are cleaning the tank, but all you have to do to fix it is take the motor out and rinse it with warm water. (However turning the filter off during cleaning is a lot easier ;D)

As for fish I'd suggest zebra danios and/or glofish. (They are the same fish, but the glofish have a fluorescent gene). They aren't necessarily top-dwellers, but they go all over the tank. The ones I have at work tend to stay near the top though. They need to be kept in groups of 6 or more or else they could be somewhat aggressive (fin-nippers).

Some nice bottom dwellers (instead of the shrimp) would be a few kuhli loaches or a few cory cats. I have kuhli loaches at home and am getting some albino cory cats for work. I had shrimp but the dwarf gouramis ate them =/

 

[anthony]

for upper-dwelling fish.? FYI: I have not purchased anything yet. This is going to be my Christmas present. For bottom feeders, I am choosing ghost shrimp. For my mid-dwellers, I'm choosing a shoal of neon tetras. What are suitable upper dwellers that can live in harmony with them? Thanks for your help
,Anthony

 

[loupa_carpathian]

For filters I highly recomend either the AquaClear filters or the BioWheel filters. The AquaClear filters allow you to change one section of media (bio materia, carbon or sponge) seperatlly to prevent the tank from being shocked when a large amount of filter material is removed. It also allows you to choose the filter media you want, more carbon, more bio media, ect. The BioWheel allows for an intense amount of beneficial nitrafying biological bacteria to colonize on the wheel by constantlly exposing it to oxygen. The more O2, the more bacteria you'll have. I personally stonglly recomend over filtering your tank, as many systems will over rate their filters, getting one 10-20 gallons more than your tank ensures you have fantastic filtration.

I'd recommend considering a single killi fish (two males can fight, but you could have 2-3 females per male) http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=830+1745 , a single paradise fish (males can be aggressive) http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+882+1007&pcatid=1007 , a single betta (usually GREAT neon buddies) http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=830+832 , a couple dwarf gourami's http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=830+882 , a few sparkling gourami http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+882+1562&pcatid=1562 , or a single larger one that's non aggressive such as a pearl gourami http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+882+966&pcatid=966 , or a small school of hatchet fish http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=830+883 .
I'd also like to really recommend cherry shrimp over ghost shrimp. The cherry's prefer the higher tropical temps and will breed like bunnies (though most babies will be eaten, so over population won't happen), were as ghost shrimp become aggressive towards one another at higher tropical temps and almost never breed in high temp waters.
Best of Luck!

 

[Julez]

I have a penguin 200 and it works well. It is really efficient. It even cleans my turtles stuff up!