what is the best type of filter i can get?

This is my second edit since now i know what kind of fish you have... I agree Aquaclear 20/30 will work best for you... You can always go with emperor (get small size)

to be honest I agree with other answers, I've been researching on which filter suit better for some type of fish, size, etc..

In the past I've owned two 35 gallon tanks but they're no longer with me. (long story)

I have find many filter works good as it is, however, I really love several brands. For smaller tanks 40 gal or under, Aquaclear works better but i'll suggest get one size bigger than the actual recommendation because if you get actual size, the cleaning will require more. For example, I had African Cichlids in 35 Gallon tanks and I use Aquaclear 70 which provide more circulation and keep the water very clean and the cleaning of filter requires once every three weeks. I also use bio-wheel combation with Emperor 400 which provide fresh oxgyened water into the tank which you can hold much more fish than the actual recommendation. If you use the bio-wheel (Emperor or other combations) air pump will not be necessary which I hate the sound from air pump's vibration LOL....

If you have smaller tanks like i say under 40, overhanging filters works best because Canister will overkill (too much)

For big tanks over 40 or 50 gallon I'd recommend use several filters combations like Bio-wheel filters (the filters are expensive but you always can use the Aquaclear's filters to modify your Emperor filters for cheaper. I've been fond of Eheim canister filters, easy to clean (once every few months or 6 months) but the plastic tubes decays easy and breaks easy but easy to replace anyway.

I also have been research on wet/dry biological filters for freshwater or saltwater they work best if the tank is huge (100 gallon or more)

One more thing, I'm very fond of H.O.T. Magnum 250, after you clean the aquarium the water will become cloudy, put on H.O.T. Magnum 250 machine on the front of the tank it will clean your tank to perfectly clear within about 4 hours. It is suitable for just cleaning and purify your water in the tank only. It is not mean to be 24/7 filter or the machine will overheat.

I see you have a 29 gallon...

There are the following filters for tanks:

Hang-on-the-back (HOB)

Canister (external) filter

internal filter.

For your tank, I would recommend a HOB filter.

I recommend either the Hagen AquaClear 50 or the Hagen AquaClear 70. You can choose the 50 if you want if you are budget limited. However, lots of filtration is good.

If you decided to take the path of the canister filter, I would recommend you take a look at the Rena Filstar canister filters. Either the xP2 or the xP3 versions can be good.

To help you understand a bit about some differences between canister and HOB filters, I will show you a few quotes:

"n general, hang-on-the-tank filters are for someone looking for an easy to use, effective filter that will need some routine maintenance such as changing the pad. Fortunately, changing the pad is easy for most hang-on filters and takes less than 5 minutes. The old pad is lifted out of the filter and thrown away, a new pad is taken out of the box or bag and slid into the filter. In most cases, the filter does not have to be turned off. How often the pad will need to be changed depends on how much feed is put in the tank and the number of fish in the tank. Every once in awhile a more thorough cleaning of the filter should be done. This means cleaning the inside of the intake tube, cleaning the impeller and the area where it sits, and cleaning the filter box.

Canister filters are generally more complex than a power filter but they still have many convenient features and can be serviced in 15 minutes or so. The features that distinguish a canister filter from a hang-on filter are they generally contain much more media. Most canister filters can hold 12 to 15 oz of carbon versus only one or two hang-on filters with that capability. In the same aquarium situation, a canister filter will generally run longer between cleanings than a hang-on filter.

The drawbacks to canister filters include the continued reduction in water flow as the filter clogs. As the filter traps dirt, less water will make it through the filter which means a lower flow back to the tank. In extreme cases of filter neglect, the flow back to the aquarium will be completely cut-off. This is in contrast to the hang-on filter which will always pump water back to the aquarium but that water may not be filtered. Cleaning a canister filter is more involved than a hang-on filter. To clean a canister filter it must be taken apart which means dealing with the hoses, valves, pump and other parts of the unit. While not difficult, cleaning a canister filter is more involved than cleaning a power filter

Which filter you should use depends upon the type of aquarium you plan to set-up and the way you approach filter maintenance. No one filter will be the best for every case, conversely none will maintain water quality is they are not serviced. If you want a simple filtration system for an aquarium that will not be overstocked or overfeed and you are willing to do monthly filter maintenance than the hang-on-the-tank filter is probably the filter for you. Change the filter pads at least monthly and every other month clean the entire unit. The time needed for maintenance is minimal but it must be kept in mind that the system cannot be overwhelmed with fish or feed.

If the tank you want to set-up is large and/or is going to have a lot of messy fish than a canister filter is the one for you. African cichlid tanks and goldfish aquaria are examples of aquaria that would commonly be filtered with canister filters. If you are rather lazy about performing filter maintenance (you'll do it but probably even other month) than a canister filter is a good choice. It will provide a lot of filtration capacity and can be abused more than a power filter. "

This is generally true for all filters.

The Hagen AquaClear filter is different. Instead of using one pad and have water flow through it, it actually has water thrusted downward, then travels upward through the foam, carbon, and Biomax material. This is a very nice design because it takes advantage of the whole filtering chamber. What more, you can customize what goes in and stuff. Also, it has a flow control, and it does not waste efficiency even with low flow engaged. Water is actually cycled over again to filter it many times more.

I do not recommend bio-wheel filters. Of course, it does provide a benefit for additional bio-filtration, allowing the bacteria to come in contact with water and air. However, sometimes this can get annoying as sometimes it gets clogged and stops turning all together. Other times, it makes noises.

I hope this information helps.

I hope you can choose a good filter, and I wish you many years of fishkeeping!

Really depends on the size of your tank and what you got in there. My smaller tanks, 10-29 gallons I have just the hobs(hang on back) Penguin bio wheels. The larger tanks I run the Penguins and canister filters. Canister's IMO are the best for all around filtration, but kinda overkill for anything smaller then a 30 or 40 gallon.

EDIT: with that size tank and amount of fish, I'd go with some kind of HOB filter. I agree, I did like the Aquaclears, but when I lived in Florida, they didn't handle the power surges very well. Get a filter that will put out at least 300 gph, actually better going a little higher probably up to 400 gph. Either one that puts out that much or 2 filters. 2 filters will add extra aeration, and you can swap out which filter you change every few months so you don't lose as much bacteria(meaning only change one, then change the opposite one later). As far as the filters for Penguins, I just use filter floss. Throw it away every two weeks or so, but my tanks are well established with the bacteria.

It depends on what kind of tank you have, what size it is, what fish you have, what other kinds of life you have in your tank.

For freshwater I like aquaclear. They're cheap, effective, easy to clean, long lasting, and you can choose what kind of filter media to put in there.

Penguin bio-wheels are nicer, but much more expensive. You also have to buy pre-made filter packs for them, which get expensive as compared to rinsing out the sponge that comes with the aquaclear.

If your tank is larger than 55 gallons, or if you have saltwater, that changes things.

Canister filters seem to be most efficient.

idk anything! or get little tiny sort of like snail things that clean the tank for you!!!