which kind of filter are u using?

[caca]

hi, i setup my tank one month ago. finally i have enough money to get them a proper filter.
i have noticed that quite of a number of you are using sponge filter.
some of you are using canister filter.
i have attached the pic of my small tank. inside there are 6 discus. the tank is very small for 6 discus. to keep the ammonia level low, i do 50% water change daily. they seem very healthy but a bit skittish.
i have plant in the tank, but on hte leaves there is dirt and slime. before considering getting a filter, i though the tank itself with plant inside forms a natural cycling system. the plant would absorb harmful substance. but it didtn' turn out as what i expected. Besides, everyone here recommend that a filtration system is a must. but i wonder what kind of filter i should get for my tank.
if added in filter, will the tank become very cloudy all the time due to the dirt and slime?
Thanks
Caca

[caca]

sorry for that irritating big size of my picture!1
i dont know how to scale it down >:(

[Carol_Roberts]

It will take any type of filter about 4 - 6 weeks to cycle in your tank. Don't stop the 50% (or more) daily water changes after purchase of the filter for two months!

Since money is an issue I would buy sponge filters or hang on the back filters like aqua clear.

What size tank do you have? We can help you pick out the right size filter.

[caca]

Thanks Carol for always being there to help. :-*
now money is not an issue. i have saved up enough to get relatively better filter. my tank is 2*1*1.5ft, around 22 gallon, which is kind of small for 6 discus. i will change another big tank when they grow bigger. Because i can't possibly get bigger tank now, i live in school hostel.
i have read your stickies. u were talking about fishless cycle. but i have fishes inside.
and i wonder how come i get so much dirt and slime on the plant, whereas others' tank are so clean and nice.

:P Caca

[Carol_Roberts]

Discus produce lots of waste and lots of slime. This is a very small tank. Things inside the tank take up space so it probably contains less than 20 gallons of water. An air driven sponge filter or a small hang on the back filter like an aqua clear 200 will work.

[Wolf_Mek]

I personally like HOBs, they do a better job in larger, more heavily stocked tanks :).