Old school...darn I didn't think I was in that one yet.
Besides all my fancy filtration in my other tanks, well not really fancy, I was given a 30 gallon, with a UGF, 2 powerheads,a homemade trashcan sump(which I modified).
The tank was seeded and cycled in 5 days. The UGf is very efficient, the sump has a large thing of cotten, before it pours onto the bio-balls. Needless to say, this UGF works with out a hitch.
So old school as it may be, it works well.
But if you want plants, it isn't my first choice.
Maybe a very cheap cannister for plants like a Hot Magnum, or an aquaclear for it if you dont want to spend a little more for the canister.