Reddit reviews Penn-Plax Small World Aquarium Air Pump and Filter Kit – Comes with a Disposable Media Cartridge (Bio Sponge, Carbon, and Zeolite Crystals), Multicolor, 1 LB (SWK1UL)
We found 4 Reddit comments about Penn-Plax Small World Aquarium Air Pump and Filter Kit – Comes with a Disposable Media Cartridge (Bio Sponge, Carbon, and Zeolite Crystals), Multicolor, 1 LB (SWK1UL). Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Helps keep your small aquarium healthy and looking beautifulSpecifically designed for small aquariums up to 5 gallonsIncludes air pump, filter, mounting bracket & tubingClears discoloration and removes harmful contaminants & odorsHigh quality carbon/zeolite cartridge for chemical filtration and a foam block filter for mechanical & biological filtrationAge range description: All Life StagesIncluded components: An Air Pump, Air Tubing, a Filter Mount with Connector, and a Filter Media Cartridge.
Well regardless of what it is out of the suggestions (I personally think it's a tetra), a cheap starter home would be a 10g tank. The tank should be $10-$20 locally, not worth buying online due to shipping cost.
Get a heater, which can be had for cheap on Amazon if you have a temporary solution for a couple days, same goes for an air-powered sponge filter.
A 20 gallon tank is a great investment, you could keep this guy plus others of his species long-term in a 20 gallon. The 10 gallon may be cheaper and easier to buy, depending on your circumstances, which is why I mentioned it. For example most Walmarts have 10 gallon tanks but not always larger.
If you're not familiar, read up on "aquarium cycling" in the sidebar of this forum. Basically, you can learn to test for toxins in the water that will harm fish and change/add clean water when needed. And eventually, the tank will develop friendly bacteria that digest these waste products for you, reducing necessary water changes. If you aren't familiar with these concepts, it would be helpful for your existing goldfish too.
I recommend this filter. My girls love hiding on top/behind it, and the flow is adjustable so it's not too strong for them. Keeps water really clear. I also had to get these to replace the top fin filter
I use two for my 10 Gallon.
Penn Plax Small World Filter Unit and Replacement Cartridge for Small Tanks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000634IYU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_diU9YLo5YhDas
If you choose to continue using the cartridges but have the ceramic rings in there as well, then you shouldn't need to worry about swapping in a new cartridge when the old one is falling apart because there will be enough beneficial bacteria on the ceramic rings that you won't ruin the cycle.
If you don't plan to keep the ceramic rings then the best option is a small secondary filter, one driven by an air pump is a great option like [this one] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000634IYU/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1498418773&sr=8-3&keywords=small+world+filter) or [this one] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000HHQ712/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498418909&sr=8-1&keywords=tetra+whisper+internal+power+filter+3i). This way you can alternate which filter you are cleaning.
And yes, always clean your filter media (whether it's a cartridge, sponge/foam, filter fiber, polishing pad, or the ceramic rings) in aquarium water. Best way to do that is remove some water for a water change and before you dump it rinse out the filter media in that container.
Link to exact filter.
The filter has bubbles going through it towards the top. I had a beta in the tank and read that this filter provides minimal current.
Good points. If I want plants, do I have to have a special light?