Reddit mentions of Hikari Bacto-Surge High Density Foam Filter, Large

I have been researching the Walstad method for the last few weeks and I can tell you 4 facts about this method and why it may not work with your setup:
1 - Walstad tanks NEED to be HEAVILY planted from the very beginning with SPECIFIC fast growing plant species and SPECIFIC nutrient rich soil (which is where all the bacteria live AKA the filter) in order to achieve the balancing act between the soil, nutrients, bacteria, plants, and fish waste.
2 - Goldfish will DEVOUR and uproot 90% of the aquatic plants needed for the Walstad method. Goldfish are badass and the other 10% of plants that they don't destroy will not be sufficient to plant or balance a Walstad tank.
3 - Goldfish produce much more ammonia and waste than other fish, making them incompatible with the Walstad Method. Even if they chilled out on the plant apocalypse, the waste would throw the tank out of balance by adding more waste than the plants and bacteria can handle. That is why Ms Walstad recommends low bio load fish for her method, AND why goldfish REQUIRE a filter.

My advice? If your on a budget, I would buy a sponge filter and air pump to go with it. They are dirty cheap and they add oxygen to the water at the same time as filtration. 2in1. Plants in your tank are nice, but they won't keep up with the goldfish waste.

Here’s a solutions- go to a local hardware store or tractor supply or landscape store and try to find an all purpose tub, storage tote, or practically any large container, somewhere around 30-50 gallons. Most of these tubs are fish safe, and are very cheap. For filtration use a large sponge filter and pump which are a very cheap and a effective alternative to normal filters. I wouldn’t worry about heat at the moment as this is meant to be temporary, and goldfish can handle it briefly. I wouldn’t but any decorations or substrate in the tub, just leave it bare. This setup is actually widely used in the goldfish hobby, so it’s a great choice.
Here’s the supplies list on amazon for your convenience, but keep in mind you could also go and look for these products cheaper elsewhere and don’t have to be the exact ones

Sponge filter-
Bacto-Surge High Density Foam Filter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GOFPX9I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_D0G6AbC8B1HRS

Pump-
VicTsing 80 GPH (300L/H, 4W) Submersible Water Pump For Pond, Aquarium, Fish Tank Fountain Water Pump Hydroponics with 5.9ft (1.8M) Power Cord https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EWENKXO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_J2G6Ab01249QW

Air tube-
Penn Plax Airline Tubing for Aquariums –Clear and Flexible Resists Kinking, 25 Feet Standard https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002563MW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_l3G6AbXFY7BEV

Plastic Tub-
Rubbermaid Commercial FG424300BLA Structural Foam Stock Tank, 50 Gallon Capacity https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NPBLAU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_U5G6Ab4CHSP90

Cycling biology-
Fluval Biological Enhancer for Aquarium, 8.4-Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FPIZ8Y0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_26G6AbAR5QBRK

Best advice is to take your time and buy what will make you happy. You'll only spend more money in the long run if you compromise now. Luckily, not everything needs bought at once. Tank, filter, and heater are necessary purchases now. Lighting and decor can be figured out more slowly.

I can recommend what I'd get in your position.

If you're going to buy a kit, this is a good one. Personally, I like this heater, but they do sell a cheaper version. So, about $100 for the tank, heater, filter, and light.

If you want to buy the parts separately, you can get a 10 gallon tank for $10-$15 or cheaper checking craigslist. You'll also need some kind of lid to cover the tank. You can buy glass ones or some people get a piece of glass or acrylic cut to cover it. Tank + lid: $25-$30

Aquaclears are my favorite filters for my tanks, but you could use a sponge filter. You'd need an air pump for the sponge one. So, $20-$25 for a filter.

Real plants are nice, but not necessary. You can do fine with fake ones, just make sure the edges aren't sharp. If you do want plants, the Spec V light should be plenty for low light plants. If you want to buy the light separately, this or this would be fine. I've had a Nicrew one on my larger tank before and it's enough for low light plants.

Or you could just get a clamp on lamp from the store and a daylight bulb. That whole set up would be about $10.

Until you get a new set up, I would recommend water changes at least once a day, if not more. I would also strongly recommend buying a water testing kit.

For the far side, a few options:

1. tiny power filter https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Blue-Professional-ADB88700-Aquarium/dp/B00BUFTI6Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467385633&sr=8-1&keywords=deep+blue+professional+filter (lfs guy has these on his mini shrimp tanks)
   
   
2. sponge filter: https://www.amazon.com/Bacto-surge-Foam-Filter-Large/dp/B00GOFPX9I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1467385683&sr=8-2&keywords=sponge+filter
   
   
3. another sponge filter option: https://www.amazon.com/XinYou-Aquarium-Biochemical-Sponge-XY-2821/dp/B009V3UGDS/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1467385683&sr=8-8&keywords=sponge+filter
   
   
4. the wildcard (interesting product, no experience with it) https://www.amazon.com/Hydrodynamic-Perfecto-Marineland-Aquarium-Filtration/dp/B01BI02JMC/ref=lp_13691185011_1_2?srs=13691185011&ie=UTF8&qid=1467385743&sr=8-2
   
   
   ---
   
   for the middle one: https://www.amazon.com/Jardin-Aquarium-Stone-Sponge-Filter/dp/B008FLWY5U/ref=sr_1_29?ie=UTF8&qid=1467385522&sr=8-29&keywords=sponge+filter+jardin
   
   should be more than enough, get the 99c control valves or a 'hub' to dial in the airflow to each. (cheapest in box stores or walmart)

I use air powered sponge filters so I can adjust flow by adjusting the airflow. Something like this with an inline valve in the airline. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GOFPX9I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_exnXAbHNCKM46

As far as slowing down an integral or hob filter you can either put some fine foam on the inlet of a hob with something like this. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071LLW1VJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_hznXAbDQ8N25Q


Fine sponge does a great job of restricting flow.

Honestly, I keep plants and a sponge filter. I do a 10% water change once a month. Lots of people will say that's not enough or often enough but it works for me.

I have an HOB on my sand bottom tank and it's never picked up sand to that extent. Also, if you're close to a PETCO, I get the Fluval prefilters for the CHI, or you can get any foam block from their line, the one pictured is the Foam&Biomax renewal kit for the Fluval edge (roughly $4 and you get the cool biomax Renewal Kit. Link to product picture below. EDIT: forgot to say that you cut a line across the top of the foam block and just stick your outflow pipe down it. Just be gentle and use common sense when doing it, foam will be reusable for months and months :D

Another really good alternative if your fish are really sensitive to the water flow is to get a foam filter. Those things don't get HALF the respect they deserve and they're AMAZING. You will never experience better water clarity. I'm sold for life. Link to product picture below too. Good luck!!




Foam Filter:




http://www.amazon.com/Bacto-surge-Foam-Filter-Large/dp/B00GOFPX9I?ie=UTF8&keywords=Foam%20filter&qid=1462715582&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1




Renewal Kit:




http://www.amazon.com/Fluval-Edge-BioMax-Renewal-3-PACK/dp/B00FJK40NE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1462715690&sr=8-2&keywords=Fluval+renewal+kit

This one is pretty cool because you can put it in a corner. This one is also good, just a normal sponge filter, kind of on the bigger side as well.

Set up for TWO Axolotls

Realistic initial set up cost $145
(Not including cost of axolotls)

$5-$150 30g tank MINIMUM preferably 40+ (OfferUp Facebook groups Craigslist pet stores)

$1-$130Hides - decor or caves or even home made must be water safe even pvc piping works minimum of 2 for each (decor can become expensive fast if you want to make your tank look very “pretty”)

$20-$75 Filter - something with low current flow sponge filter or a canister filter with something to break up a strong flow if you have a sponge filter you need air line tubing and a air pump (link of canister filter is what I use in my 55g tank )

Bacto-Surge High Density Foam Filter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GOFPX9I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_oov7AbY5ESARC

Penn Plax Airline Tubing for Aquariums –Clear and Flexible Resists Kinking, 25 Feet Standard https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002563MW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_kpv7AbQ20H9V7

Tetra Whisper Easy to Use Air Pump for Aquariums (Non-UL) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009YF4FI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Hpv7AbC3Y8R2Z

SUN 4-Stage Aquarium External Canister Filter with 9 Watt UV Sterilizer 264GPH (HW402B with Pro Filter Kits) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MFCS6W7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_CVv7AbX67HQED

$10-$15 Water additives
Water dechlorinator follow instructions on bottle if the tank isn’t fully cycled use prime plus follow instructions on bottle it helps keeps the water healthy for the axolotls too

API TAP WATER CONDITIONER Aquarium Water Conditioner 16-Ounce Bottle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LO9KSY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1qv7AbHFPEHT5

Tetra 77960 SafeStart, 100 Gallon, 250-ml, 1.69-Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003E2RI74/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1tv7AbDHHEMEY

$20-$35 API water test kit to make sure the water is in good parameters
http://www.axolotl.org/requirements.htm

API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT 800-Test Freshwater Aquarium Water Master Test Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000255NCI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zvv7AbK35G0WW

$2-$10 Aquarium thermometer that reads down to 60 degrees F

CNZ Digital LCD Thermometer for Aquarium Fish Tank Vivarium Reptile Terrarium https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KPXVI94/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_yxv7Ab1NSQ5H6

$5-$20 Aquarium syphon

Aqueon Medium Siphon Vacuum Aquarium Gravel Cleaner, 9-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RK1WBK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2aw7Ab3Z5KS9B

Feeding

$2.50-$3 Fishing earth worms (Walmart sporting goods section)
$10-$15 blister pack of 30 blood worm cubes (I can sell them to you while supplies last for $15 or you can buy them at any pet shop that sells fish)

Earth worms when they get bigger try to feed them nibbles of a worm like the size of their head and move up as they get bigger and frozen blood worms for first month to month and a half try to feed the earth worms to the axolotls ever couple days by hand until they start accepting them they might start accepting earth worms as soon as a week after receiving them from me (feed frozen blood worms every other day until they are regularly eating pieces of worm )

Maintenance

You can use a turkey baster and clean up their poops as you see them you’ll still have to do water changes but much less water 25%-35% or use a syphon once a week and do a 30%-50% water change along with the water dechlorinator and some of the safe start plus make sure to test the water regular with the api test kit

Keeping the water to the correct temperature

60-64F is the perfect water temp for them but it can be hard to achieve during summer but doing more regular water changes can help with that and putting a fan over the aquarium blowing on it will help by up to 4-5 degrees

NO SAND OR GRAVEL ESPECIALLY NO GRAVEL EVER sand maybe fine once they are 6-7inches but they will swallow it and they can become impacted and possibly lead to death

Separate type of filter. Use one or the other. I mean you could use both, but it's not necessary. Sponge filter vs. HOB filter. I like aquaclear HOB filters, they have a lot of room for media. You can ditch the activated carbon and add another sponge in there as well.

EDIT: The sponge filters need an air pump or power head to work. The HOB comes with everything you need, just plug it in.

Sorry, I thought you had said 10 gallon. Since you have a 29 gallon, I would get a sponge that is meant for at least 29 or 40 gallons.

Even in my 10 gallon bowl, I have this sponge because it's easy to hide behind the plants, and it only costs a few dollars more to get the bigger/better sponge. It should even work great for you. People on amazon are using it for their 40 gallon. I would get either this one or a corner sponge

https://www.amazon.com/Hikari-Bacto-Surge-Density-Filter-Large/dp/B00GOFPX9I?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_3

How big is your tank? How many fish are in it?

For 2 or 3 fancy goldfish I'd recommend this size. (5 x 5 x 6 in).

The medium which facilitates the nitrogen cycle, this known as a biofilter.

So you ether make a bio filter or use a sponge biofilter for aquariums.

https://youtu.be/Mx2vjF4Lgd4
https://www.amazon.com/BACTO-SURGE-HIGH-DENSITY-FOAM-FILTER/dp/B00GOFPX9I

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GOFPX9I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_J1ogAbB10K68A

Sponge filter with an air pump and a check valve. Cheap and easy. My local store uses them in every tank. If they will put hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of fish in tanks run by them then I trust it. It's what I swear by.