HELP WITH PICKING A ...NEW FILTER SUGGESTIONS?!

[marknash]

hello all we have a 46g bow front that currently has a toms aquarium filter with a protien skimmmer .. that is currently failing.. and we need to get a new one asap.
we got this filter not really knowing much about how it worked.. so now that we need to get a new one.. we need help with picking a GOOD one that isnt going to give us constant grief.. and will not crap out after a year..
we dont have the ability to do a sump.
.. and how long can we run our tank on just powerheads?
thanks.