help me pick a new filter please?

[waxmuseum]

Hello I am fairly new to the fish sceen.
I just purchased a 25gal tall tank and was wondering..
1)What kind of filter I should get?
2)What am I looking at spending for it?
3)How does it work?
4)Do I need to use anything with it?
5)what kind of maintanance/ how often?
(The tank will be fresh water)
If there is anything else i will need please tell me to.
oh and I saw a nice looking thing that puts streams of air in the water (not bubles)what is this thing and does it serve a puropse othere than looking cool.

[JayJ]

Hello there,
To be honest I would look into a good canister filter. You should look at the Fluval type by Hagen. I recommend this for a number of reasons primarily because it does a great job of keeping your water clean and clear. Another reason I like this filter is because it is one of the easiest canister types to maintain on the market. Also it is completely quite, all you hear is the water returning to your tank if you want to. Go to your local pet shop...not the big chains...and ask for a demonstration of the Fluval.
Also you will have to get about a 150 to 200 watt heater and gravel, and test kit, and plants...good luck in your new hobby. Oh by the way the filter will probably run you about 129.00, may be less at the big store but they won't have anyone there to answer your questions and a new aquarium guy needs a good resource for information. Don't expect your local pet shop guy to answer a question for someone who buys all of his equipment at a discount house...you need his expertise behind your new hobby..take it from someone who has gone that route and wasted alot of money on inexpensive equipment and had some bad experiences...glad to say I have an excellent resource now.

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the ocean isn't forever with man on earth

[waxmuseum]

Thank you JayJ for your help I am now the proud owner of a new fluval.I think it is already worth the $100 I spent.
Any suggestions for media?
or a pump?
or a good flouresent light bulb?(the one I have now looks like poop)