Better filter for Topfin 5.5 gallon tank?

[koincidenskis]

Tom mini filter

It has great reviews and I personally use it. It is super quiet. I have my tank about 8 feet from my bed and no noise!

I found this at PetSmart about the same price.

[Tikibirds]

I have a Tetra 10i on mine, but the filter is way to strong. I have to baffle it. Go with a sponge filter.

True but I stick some foam where the water flows out (and put something heavy on top of the foam - like a rock so it won't move) and then I put tall, bushy, silk plants in front of the outflow to slow the water even more. They are pretty quiet filters but what I dont like is I have sand and sometimes when changing the water, the sand gets kicked around. I'm guessing some particles get into the impeller and it stops. Its easy to fix, just take the top off and give the impeller a little nudge with a finger - it starts up right away.

Sponge would be good too but they are more biological filternation and less mechanical filtration. I have 2 airpumps - as long as the airtube is long enugh to place it on a solid surface, they
really aren't THAT noisy.