Want to make a better filter for ~2 gal repurposed tank

[star27624]

Ok, I have a couple of small water pumps around from previous small fountains and ponds that I don't use any more. I am trying to figure out how I can use one of these to make an better in tank filter for my little re-purposed tank. (For those who may not have read my other thread, I have a display at work that is based on reusing and repurposing items. Everything in it is based on this.) I have already tried a HOB that I have from one of my 10 gallons that I don't have set up right now, but this tank is to wide for them to fit. The air stone driven filter was the only thing I had that works so far for water movement and mechanical filtration. I do not like this, as I don't care for the bubbles from the air stone in the water. I want to use this as my sexy shrimp tank, no fish, some small corals and/or maybe one of the small carpet anemones. I have more live sand that I can use (theres about 4 lbs in there now), I can borrow some chaeto from my other tank, and can put another pound or so of LR in the tank. I am thinking a mini in-tank fuge made from a peanut butter jar maybe or something similar. IDK Also, needing to find a different light for it. The one that I have has good light strength, but is a touch type lamp, so it doesn't come on with the timer that it is on.

I know a lot of you are DIYers, so suggestions are greatly appreciated.
First pic shows the hated filter, the second is after I changed lights to the one that doesn't work on a timer. You can see the illumination difference between the two pictures.

 

[rotarymagic]

...another reef in a jar...

maybe fabricate an overflow box and a return with the pump outside of the tank so that the tank overflows into the box which is connected to the intake of an external pump which then outflows to a return tube... just a thought..