Filter question!

[sarahsunshine]

Hi, Newbie here... use small words so I can understand!!!

I'm currently setting up a 20g high tank, and want to put in a community like this:


I am currently learing about filters. I have an old Aquaclear 300 (kijiji), and an Aquatech 5-15 (from an old 10g). The AC300 has a HUGE amount of flow, that may cause some problems, but I'm told it probably has the best filtration capacity. I just bought a AC20, thinking it would be best, but now I see that that was a mistake and will return it.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to what a good filter would be for a newbie who has never had success keeping fish alive for any length of time? I hesitate to go out and spend lots of money on a filter and/or fish when they just keep dying. It's a catch-22. I hope that getting cycling down and lots of water changes, and a decent but not too expensive filter will change all this. Then, if I can keep them alive for a while, I may get into things in a more expensive way (bigger tank, nice filter, bigger fish).

A good place to get stuff from would be good too - in Canada!