Filter Options

[Mackinback]

Hello all -

I bought my nano tank established a little over a year ago.. I've had some ups and downs with it. But I now think things are starting to stabilize. So I don't want to get off-topic, as I could write a book with questions and concerns.
I am currently run a 9gal with a Aqua clear 50 (which is missing like 1/2 it's pieces). Top cover and media basket is gone. I just recently added Safe media.
I also have a sponge filter to the tank a couple weeks ago for assistance.
My light is HIPARGERO LED and some off-brand wavemaker, which is far too powerful for general use (maybe not even needed in a tank of this size?).

SO... I want to upgrade the filter in some way.. Due to the missing pieces of the Aqua clear, I wonder if I should either :
A. Pickup the inTank media basket giving me more layered filtration
B. do A and also add a nano-skimmer (have a little bit of room in one corner with no clearance problems).
C. Replace HOB with a HOB built in skimmer (like the Coralife 30g marine w/ skimmer)

Now my endgame is this tank will end up being more of a quarantine tank. But I would rather put money into my https://www.aquatop.com/products/24...skimmer-stand-black-brown?variant=37438978119 which is not up and running yet.
I wouldn't mind also upgrading the light. However, it is a perfect fit for my kitchen counter and clears my cabinet doors just barley. But the manual changing of light color is a killer and I do not know if I am even cycling it correctly. But this is a topic for another post.

Thanks,
MacK

 

[asting]

Honestly, you don't need the media basket nor top. That filter is perfect for the tank. If you have burning pockets you could pick up the intake basket, but they have always been grossly overpriced in my opinion.

A skimmer is not needed in a tank that small. regular water changes take care of it.

 

[Mackinback]

Here's a couple pics of where she sits.

 

[Mackinback]

Hey asting, thanks for the reply. So I figured I was overthinking it. That is what I do best! Seeing as that basket is something like $40, I had also thought about picking up the original basket. But even that is like $15 on eBay. But if a skimmer is overkill, then that makes things less complicated.

 

[asting]

regular water changes will have you covered. I'd also ditch the foam filter - it will likely trap detritus in the long run.