Well I can tell you what NOT to buy - I had a TetraTec 150 on my 26 gallon (came with the tank) - that thing is a hunk of junk. Its NOISY, it clogs way too easy, and you are constantly adjusting it to get it to "gurgle" just right through the 3 chambers. Probably the box it came in would work just as well. LOL I just thought that was how all filters were (being a newbie and all) - but a few months later I'm a bit wiser. The ONLY thing thats really cool about it, is that the heater is integrated into the intake of the filter. So you have less "stuff" hanging down into the tank- a little more pleasing to the human eye I suppose.
So even though we are under a heavy snow warning, I ran out real quick and just picked up an Aquaclear 50 and a Visi-Therm Stealth heater. Getting ready to set it all up now - I'll let you know but from the sounds of the reviews from other people- sounds like I won't be disappointed.