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The 11 Best Filtration Systems For Aquariums

One of the main responsibilities of an aquarium keeper is to maintain sanitary conditions in the tank's water.

Buying a good filter is an easy way to ensure that your water stays pure. You will be able to choose the best filter option if you know about all of the options.

"Every aquarium needs three main forms of filtration." "Biological, chemical, and mechanical filtration are the three main types," says Nic Tiemens, co-author of Infinity Aquarium Design.

You should look for a filter that has a solid reputation for breaking down dangerous organics like ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites, which is what the word "biological" means.

To remove debris from the water, mechanical filtration can be used. Last but not least, adding chemical media such as carbon or phosphate removers can further clear and purify your water.

See what BestForPets (bestforpets.org) recommends as the best filtration systems for aquariums for crystal clear water.

Conclusion

The MarineLand Penguin Bio Wheel Energy Filter is our top recommendation (see it on Amazon). Lee’s 40/55 Premium Undergravel Filter is a good choice if you want a filter out of sight at the bottom of your aquarium (see on Amazon). BestForPets (bestforpets.org) hopes you can find the best filtration systems for aquariums for your pet.

Reviews

The MarineLand BIO-Wheel Power Filter is the Best Option

To get a high-quality filter, you need not spend a fortune. Priced at slightly over $25, Marineland’s Penguin Power Filter is a no-brainer.

Filtration begins with physical obstructions like dirt and waste, then continues on to chemical and biological toxins, and finally completes with a final stage of filtration (like the dreaded ammonia).

It has a verified flow rate of 350GPH, which is suitable for tanks up to 70 gallons in capacity, and requires minimal setup, making it an ideal first buy for new aquarists. It comes with the right kind of cartridge for your filter model (there are four different kinds to choose from, depending on the size of your tank).

The majority of reviewers have noted that the Marineland Penguin Power Filter works well and quietly for their tanks. The special BIO-Wheel is singled out for further acclaim; it gets rid of ammonia and nitrites instantly and helps good bacteria flourish, which aids in natural filtering.

 

Penn Plax Cascade 700 Canister Filters Are The Best For Clean, Fresh Water

While freshwater aquariums are easier to keep clean than their saltwater counterparts, you should still invest in a quality filter to remove any contaminants from the water.

This Penn Plax canister filter is excellent in that it sits outside your tank while still providing effective mechanical, chemical, and biological filtering. With its 265 GPH flow rate and push-button primer, this pump is suitable for usage in tanks of up to 100 gallons. The end product is clean, pure water uncontaminated by garbage, leftover food, ammonia, or any other harmful substances.

With its three media baskets and rotating flow valves, the Penn Plax Cascade filter provides unrivaled value and performance at an affordable price.

Although it may be used in saltwater aquariums, it is a better investment for those who have freshwater aquariums.

 

AQUATICLIFE RO Buddie Reverse Osmosis Systems Are The Best For Saltwater

It’s important to maintain correct water conditions for saltwater fish and marine life because they have different requirements than their freshwater counterparts.

Therefore, a filter that utilizes deionization and reverse osmosis—which involves pushing water through a membrane in order to remove contaminants—will be necessary.

The Aquatic Life RO Buddie is an excellent option for those on a budget who still want the powerful filtration necessary for a saltwater aquarium.

It comes in three different models, each of which combines three stages of reverse osmosis and four stages of reverse osmosis deionization (RODI) into a compact design.

Customers report that after using the Aquatic Life RO Buddie, their saltwater fish and coral are thriving. If your tap water has a high hardness (the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water), the reverse osmosis feature will be extremely helpful.

Some users have reported that they were able to reduce the hardness of tap water to zero by using the filter’s reverse osmosis and deionization system.

 

For aquariums up to 20 gallons, we recommend the Tetra Whisper IQ Power Filter

You should still get a good filter, even if your aquarium is on the smaller side. The input of the Whisper IQ Power Filter can be adjusted up and down to accommodate aquariums of varying sizes, making it ideal for 20-gallon aquariums.

The StayClean filtration system is low-maintenance and effective in preserving fish health by preventing the growth of harmful bacteria and eliminating harmful byproducts such as ammonia and nitrites. Having a cushioned wall between the motor and the filter makes it exceptionally quiet.

The Whisper IQ Power Filter is one of the best portable filters available; it starts up instantly and needs no priming.

 

Seachem Tidal 75 Large Aquarium Fish Tank Filter, Ideal for 75-Gallon Aquariums

The Seachem Tidal Filter is our top option for 75-gallon aquariums. Easy upkeep is ensured by the 350 GPH flow rate, self-priming pump, and self-cleaning impeller.

You can also set up an alert system to notify you when it’s time to check in on your filtration system and make any necessary adjustments.

The filter has a deep basket for any media you choose (it comes with Matrix, a very porous biomedia) and a strong skimmer to maintain a clean waterline in your aquarium.

It features a three-way inlet and can provide constant, powerful circulation in tanks as large as 75 gallons. Similarly, the media basket may be removed and cleaned with minimal effort.

The Seachem Tidal Filter is a back-of-the-tank (HOB) filter that allows for greater adjustment flexibility than its competitors.

 

The WD-75CS Wet-Dry Filter from Eshopps, Inc. is the top pick

A wet-dry filter is one that lets the biological medium it utilizes breathe in air and water from the tank. It’s ideally suited to saltwater aquariums since it encourages the growth of good bacteria and efficiently breaks down trash.

The Eshopps Wet-Dry Filter may be pricey, but it comes with almost everything you need to assemble your wet-dry system in one convenient package.

An overflow box, bio balls, filter pad, and return nozzle are included, as is a wet-dry drip tray filter designed specifically for dealing with ammonia and nitrites.

According to reviews, the Eshopps is a premium wet-dry filter that comes with almost everything you need (a pump is not included) in a single, easy-to-carry box. Wet-dry filtration systems are notoriously difficult to set up, especially for newcomers.

 

Lee’s 40/55 Premium Undergravel Filter is the Best on the Market

Undergravel filters, as their name implies, live under the substrate of your aquarium rather than on top of it or outside.

By encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria in the tank’s gravel, Lee’s 40/55 Premium Undergravel Filter aids in the tank’s natural biological process of waste decomposition.

For even cleaner water, you can combine it with a standard power filter. It comes with carbon filtering cartridges and plates made from an unique resin that is resistant to breaking and splitting, which is especially significant given that the filter will be submerged in your tank.

Since its all-black construction makes it blend in with gravel for a natural, unobtrusive look, the Lee’s 40/55 Premium Undergravel Filter complements the aesthetic of most tanks.

When used in conjunction with a second power filter, it does an even better job of keeping tanks clean and producing the highest quality water possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Is It Appropriate to Use a Filter?

If you need to clean it or switch it off for some other reason, your filter should be on continuously. Turning off the filter for more than an hour results in a significant decline in the population of helpful bacteria, thus this should be avoided at all costs.

Should I Use a Different Filtering Medium?

Although there does not appear to be a single correct solution to this question, it is crucial that your filtration media be both porous and have a large surface area. Using enough volcanic rocks, sponges, or commercial filtration media to handle your bioload is all that’s required.

When and how should I clean my filter?

You should clean your filter if the water flow rate decreases.

The mechanical filtering is typically unclogged by simply being cleaned. In order to preserve the cleanliness of your biological media, I advise switching off your filter before removing the mechanical filtering.

When cleaning biological medium, it is especially crucial to use dechlorinated water or aquarium water to ensure that no beneficial bacteria are lost during the process.

Chlorine and chloramine, both of which are found in municipal water supplies, can eliminate the good bacteria in your digestive tract.

The bio-media may be clogged if the filter continues to run more slowly than usual even after you’ve cleaned the mechanical filtering. To clean the bio medium in your tank, take it out and flush it with tank water.

The media can be partially replaced with clean media if it’s so unclean that rinsing won’t help. Never replace more than 50 percent of your tank’s biological medium at once, or you’ll have to start the cycling process all over again.

However, chemical filtration does work a little differently, and it can be depleted over time. When working with any chemical medium, it is essential to read and adhere to the manufacturer’s directions carefully.

Author Image

Dr. Barry Buttler

Dr. Barry Buttler, DVM, MS, DACVIM, is an experienced veterinarian who specializes in the care of small animals, specifically dogs. Dr. Barry K. Buttler is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and holds multiple certifications in small animal emergency medicine and geriatric pet health.

Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Barry Buttler

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