I use dual sponge filters in all tanks, and two of them in my fish tanks. Plus a Penguin BioWheel 200 HOB
on all tanks too. I use a stainless steel intake cover on my intakes that were made by Han, and they
are fry proof. Plus with the BioWheel 200, there is plenty of room for extra media behind the Penguin Filter,
like BioBalls, K1, xtra filter, peat pellet filters, etc. I have gotten them so that are all super quiet. The water
level has to be just right, but once you get it, then they are very quiet. My air pump make more noise than
the HOB, and my air pumps are pretty quiet.
I also use a Aqua 50 Powerhead with a water polisher filter on it and a small UV Sterilizer. I run both of
those for two or three days a couple times a month in all of my tanks.
I keep my light raised 5" above the tank, and so far like that, plants and moss are doing just fine, and I
don't seem to combat algae as much as I used to. I also have one small otto in each tank and a few
Malaysian Trumpet Snails to keep the substrate clean.