You may think that dogs are not the cleanest of pets until you try fishes. These little guys do not mind doing their business anywhere in the aquarium. Plus, their ‘deeds’ will be floating all over the tank for you to see. As the pet owner, it is your duty to keep the aquarium clean at all times. Unlike the vast habitat that fishes are used to, an aquarium offers much smaller confinement. As a result, it is easier for the fish to fall sick from pollution when living in an aquarium or tank. In this article, we will take a close look at the best aquarium filter worth investing in if you own a fish aquarium.
Aqua Clear Fish Tank Filter is a good place to start our review as it is also our pick for the best choice. For most buyers, Aqua Clear has been making the best fish tank filters, and the Aqua Clear Fish Tank Filter is no exception, as it is one of the best aquarium filters that you can invest in. It comes in a hang-on-back design that gives it the versatility that any fish tank owner will love. As well as coming in different sizes to choose from, this aquarium filter has been designed to give you different flow rates to pick from. Aqua Clear Fish Tank Filter also comes with a filtration volume that s about seven times larger than other brands you will find on the market. It also features an AquaClear foam, activated carbon and biomax, and a cycle guard that ensures that the biological filtration system is continuous.
Easy to install
Ideal design for biological filtration
Two years warranty
Protected motor and impeller
The next fish filter on our list is the MarineLand Penguin 360 BIO-Wheel Power Filter. MarineLand is not a new name in the game. And this MarineLand Penguin 360 BIO-Wheel Power Filter model series shows exactly why MarineLand has forty years of aquarium water filter experience. This aquarium filter system offers three stages of filtration. Plus, this is without the trouble of air pumps, valves, tubing, and air stones. MarineLand Penguin 360 BIO-Wheel Power Filter uses a bio-wheel system that is suitable for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. It also features a rotating patented bio-wheel technology that perfect dry or wet biological filtration. To add to that, MarineLand Penguin 360 BIO-Wheel Power Filter is available in five different sizes to choose from.
Features a rotating bio-wheel
Multi-stage filtration system
Available in five different sizes
Suitable for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums
It is time to talk about our premium pick with the Penn Plax Cascade Canister Aquarium Filter. Just like the MarineLand Bio-wheel Power Filter, this canister filter is also suitable for both saltwater and freshwater aquariums. Penn Plax Cascade Canister Aquarium Filter has a huge base of loyal customers, especially because of the broad range of applications it comes with. Aside from the fact that it has been designed to be suitable for different kinds of aquariums (with a capacity of up to 200 gallons), it provides a water flow of 350-gph when being used. It is easy to operate as it comes with a simple start button and also comes with a 360-degree rotation feature that offers a thorough tank filtration process. Plus, Penn Plax Cascade Canister Aquarium Filter comes in different design options and features to choose from, no matter your filtration need.
Made of durable materials
Easy setup
Easy to operate
Available in different sizes and designs
Moving on, we have the Tetra Whisper Power Filter For Aquariums. If you are looking for a small aquarium filter, then the Tetra Whisper Power Filter For Aquariums is one of the best you can find out there. It is available in four different tank capacities to choose from, ranging from 20 gallons to 60 gallons maximum. Tetra Whisper Power Filter For Aquariums also features a closed-off design at the top of the filter. This helps to reduce the filtering noise considerably while offering an elegant design. Tetra Whisper Power Filter For Aquariums also features three Whisper bio-bag cartridges with ultra-activated carbon that will get rid of any odor from the water or tank. It also comes with a double-sided mesh that filters debris and fish waste from the aquarium. Plus, this fish tank water filter comes with Integrated Stay Clean technology that helps to reduce build-up while binding small dirt particles to make for easy cleaning.
Available in different tank capacities (60 gallons max)
Ultra-activated carbon removes odor
Integrated Stay Clean technology
Large-sized Tetra Whisper Bio-Bag cartridges
Fluval C Power Filter is the next product to make it onto our list. A Fluval fish tank filter is a reliable fish tank filter. Fluval C Power Filter comes in three different sizes to choose from. It offers five stages of filtration for aquariums with capacities that range from 40 gallons to 70 gallons. It is designed to filter 264 gallons per hour. Fluval C Power Filter also comes equipped with a cleaning indicator. This indicator will notify you whenever the polyfoam needs to be cleaned. Moreover, because it is a clip-on filter, maintenance and usage are stress-free. Fluval C Power Filter also comes with an integrated trickle chamber, which helps to ensure that the aquarium is always clean and healthy.
Available in different sizes to choose from
Offers five stages of filtration
Filters 264 gallons per hour
Equipped with cleaning indicator
It is time to talk about our pick for the best price with the Tetra Whisper In-Tank Filter. Tetra Whisper In-Tank Filter comes in five different sizes that offer capacities ranging from 3 gallons up to 40 gallons. It uses filter cartridges with sizes that depend on the gallon-capacity. However, the cartridges adjust easily to high or low water levels. This external fish tank filter comes with a two-in-one filter feature. The cartridge is designed to trap and catch debris as well as fish waste, while an ultra-activated carbon feature helps to get rid of any odor that may be present. It also helps to eliminate discoloration that may be as a result of the waste and debris. Tetra Whisper In-Tank Filter comes in a design that stands vertically and, as a result, helps to save a lot of space.
Available in different sizes to choose from
Maximum capacity of 40 gallons
Features a tank clip
Aquarium internal filter
Penn Plax makes another entry onto our list, but this time with the Penn Plax Cascade Hang-On Aquarium Filter. This fish tank water filter comes in six different sizes to choose from. Designed to be a hand-on aquarium filter, the Penn Plax Cascade Hang-On Aquarium Filter cleans quietly and delivers a maximum of 300 gallons per hour capacity of crystal clear water for your pet fish. It has a minimum capacity of 20 gallons per hour. Penn Plax Cascade Hang-On Aquarium Filter features the revolutionary Bio-Falls Quad Filtration system that comes with anaerobic bacteria. This helps to remove nitrate and additional ammonia in order to provide the maximum generation of oxygen. Penn Plax Cascade Hang-On Aquarium Filter also features activated carbon cartridge that helps to get rid of any odor from the tank.
Available in different sizes
Maximum capacity of 300 gallons per hour
Features activated carbon cartridge
Comes with Bio-Falls Quad Filtration technology
Moving on, we have the Hygger Aquarium Double Sponge Filter. This aquarium sponge filter comes with two spare sponges, one bag of bioceramic media balls, and a submersible foam filter that filters the aquarium without any noise. Hygger Aquarium Double Sponge Filter can be used for both freshwater and saltwater fish tanks. This tank filter is available in different sizes to choose from. It comes with a maximum capacity of 55 gallons per hour and offers multi-filtration functions. For example, it combines bio-filtration, oxygenation, as well as physical filtration all in one. The sponge filter also comes with media balls which do not take up extra room. The two spare sponges are very easy to replace. Plus, all parts of the Hygger Aquarium Double Sponge Filter are detachable. This makes it very easy to use and clean.
Available in different sizes to choose from
Maximum capacity of 55 gallons per hour
Two additional sponges
Multi-filtration functions
If you are looking for the best undergravel filter, then Lee’s 40/55 Premium Undergravel Filter is an excellent choice to have. Plus, it is very easy on any budget. Lee’s 40/55 Premium Undergravel Filter comes in various plate sizes. The larger plate sizes have the advantage of reducing the number of plates you will need. Lee’s 40/55 Premium Undergravel Filter also features the strength of UGF plates. This is one of the reasons why this filter is preferred by a lot of saltwater aquarists. Lee’s 40/55 Premium Undergravel Filter provides for the growth of billions of beneficial bacteria to detoxify the water in a natural way. Plus, the filter circulates water flow through the gravel bed. This helps to filter the water naturally and also helps to remove ammonia. Lee’s 40/55 Premium Undergravel Filter can be used with power filters to maximize the quality of the water.
Features UGH plates
Suitable for saltwater aquariums
Undergravel filter can be used with power filters
Provides billions of beneficial bacteria to detoxify water
And our last but definitely not least entry is the Azoo Mignon Filter 60. Perhaps you are looking for a filter that has a rather small and compact design. If that is the case, then you may be looking for the Azoo Mignon Filter 60. Azoo Mignon Filter 60’s compact design makes it very easy to use as well as maintain. It features an inlet strainer sponge with a replaceable filter cartridge for easy maintenance. It also comes with an adjustable flow control dial that allows you to maintain high levels of dissolved oxygen. Azoo Mignon Filter 60 also features a patented automatic water recovery that ensures startup after a power outage. Azoo Mignon Filter 60 is very easy to use. All you need to do after setting it up is to fill the chamber with water. Plus, this product comes with a three-year warranty.
Adjustable flow control dial
Patented automatic water recovery
Replaceable filter cartridge
Inlet strainer sponge included
Every aquarium or fish tank needs some form of a biological filtration system. And a fish tank filter is the best bet when it comes to efficiency and cost. A fish tank filter plays a lot of roles. But its main role is to clean and detoxify the water in a biological way. When the water passes through the filter toxins, debris, and waste are eliminated, leaving clean water to run back into the tank.
Before you pick out an aquarium filter, there are some things to look out for.
As mentioned earlier, there are mainly five types of fish tank water filters.
A: The size of the aquarium filter that you will need depends on the type and size of fish tank or aquarium that you are using as well as the type of fish you have.
A: A fish cannot survive for too long without a filter as it will, at some point, fall sick and die. This is because fish tanks build up with debris and waste as time goes on. If the stagnant water is not filtered regularly, this will easily lead to contamination.
A: You can use your new filter immediately, depending on the instructions that it comes with. However, it will need some days in order to start producing the beneficial bacteria that will detoxify the water.
A: The first thing to do is to check if your fish is swimming with ease. If the current in the aquarium is too strong, your fish will have difficulty swimming with ease without looking like it is being ‘blown’ away.