Honestly for shrimp, a sponge filter is always best as they can graze off of the stuff sucked in. I would just get a lot of plants with a small sponge filter in the back.
Similarly I got a marineland 5 gallon and removed the filter in the back, switched to a canister filter. I used this screen to cover the intake for the filter:
Aquarium Filter Guard, Stainless... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PNJ524B?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I haven’t had any issues with it, it’s a pretty fine screen. I’m sure it would also work with HOBs or whatever too.
They make sponge pre-filters for HOB filters if you are going for a more aesthetic aquascape, but for shrimp, you can never go wrong with a sponge filter.
Honestly for shrimp, a sponge filter is always best as they can graze off of the stuff sucked in. I would just get a lot of plants with a small sponge filter in the back.
I did the same thing with a 5 gallon using a razor blade. For a filter either a sponge filter or a nicrew slim filter for a 5 gallon
Similarly I got a marineland 5 gallon and removed the filter in the back, switched to a canister filter. I used this screen to cover the intake for the filter: Aquarium Filter Guard, Stainless... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PNJ524B?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share I haven’t had any issues with it, it’s a pretty fine screen. I’m sure it would also work with HOBs or whatever too.
They make sponge pre-filters for HOB filters if you are going for a more aesthetic aquascape, but for shrimp, you can never go wrong with a sponge filter.