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Aquarium filters are purchased in order to maintain a long lasting environment that is healthy for any marine life living in the tank. They are critical to the survival of the habitat and make sustaining an aquarium effortless. Depending on the type of aquarium a person chooses to maintain; a different filter will be required. The size of the fish tank and the type of water that will be inside of it are major factors when purchasing a filter.
By understanding the benefits and features of the different types of aquarium filters have to offer, a consumer will be able to determine the best aquarium filter for their needs. As with many of the models listed below in our chart, there are smaller and larger versions of each that would qualify for your filtration needs. Once you found the brand and type of filter you like, be sure to dig further within the page to find the other sizes provided.
Understanding a Canister Aquarium Filter Vs Power Filter
There are several different types of aquarium filters on the market that a person can choose to buy for their tank. All of them range in size, price, and the amount of features each filter offers. The most common types of aquarium filters are the canister filter and the power filter. Both offer similar benefits for the environment and fish but they are different when it comes to the stages of filtration they provide.
The main difference between canister filters and power filters is the amount of water they are able to easily pump and filter within an hour. A canister filter has an easier flow and is considered to be more gentle than the power filter. A power filter has a stronger water flow and typically goes through more filtering stages.
Another vast difference between the two filters is that the canister filter will usually sit on the outside of the tank and pump water through the hoses that are attached to it. The power filter will sit inside the tank and will usually have a feature of automatically priming itself.
Depending on the type of environment you are planning on maintaining in the aquarium will also help you narrow down the type of filter you will need. Saltwater fish and freshwater fish have different needs in order to survive inside the tank. If plants will be added to the aquarium, they will also need to be considered when choosing the right filter to purchase.
Another ultimate factor is the size of the tank you plan on maintaining. Larger tanks will need a more powerful filter to keep the water from becoming cloudy. Learning about the most popular fish tank filters in the market right now will help you understand the differences among them and identify which qualities you prefer in a filter.
List of 5 Best Aquarium Filters Reviews in 2020
Isolating the top aquarium filters is no easy task as there are so many on the market already. It’s a very confusing when shopping for them but that’s why we’ve narrowed them in a easy, simple list here. You’ll find both Power Filters and Canister Filters to meet your needs. Let’s take a look.
1. Aqueon QuietFlow 55/75 Power Filter 400-GPH
The Quiet Flow filter from Aqueon is considered to be one of the best fish tank filters in the market right now. It is one of the most commonly used filters because of the features it has to offer and the affordable price. A nice characteristic of this filter is that it automatically starts up after the cleaning process or if there are any power interruptions. This is nice for someone who travels frequently because they do not have to worry about whether or not their aquarium habitat is remaining healthy during their absence.
This filter can process 400 gallons of water per hour and is meant to be used in large tanks.The amount of water it turns over ensures cleaner water for the fish while remaining quiet during the process. People who have aquariums in their bedroom will want an almost silent aquarium filter. The internal pump design allows it to prime itself during use making maintenance effortless. Read more about the Quiet Flow 55/75 in greater detail.
The cheaper Quiet Flow Power Filter 10 is the smaller version of the Quiet Flow Filter 55/75, as is the QuietFlow 20, QuietFlow 30, and QuietFlow 40. The Power Filter 10 is meant to be used in small to medium fish tanks and can only process 100 gallons of water per hour. This freshwater aquarium filter includes all of the same features but produces on a smaller scale. Here are the stats associated with the rest of the Quietflow’s:
- QuietFlow 20 = for 20 gallon aquarium and handles 125 gallons of flow per hour
- QuietFlow 30 = for 30 gallon aquarium and handles 200 gallons of flow per hour
- QuietFlow 50 = for 40 gallon aquarium and handles 250 gallons of flow per hour
2. Fluval C4 Power Filter
Fluval aquarium filters are uniquely engineered to provide and maintain optimum water condition within the aquarium. Of the models currently manufactured by this brand, the Fluval C4 stands out for its performance and reliability. It is a state of the art power filter that boasts a 5 stage filtration system, designed to turn all the dull looking and smelly aquarium water into a clear, crisp and non toxic micro environment that not only brings a sense of beauty to your home but also helps to keep your fishes and other aquatic creatures alive and well.
The Fluval filter combines all of these stages in a modular layout, which gives you the chance to handle each stage separately. Likewise, in order to retain the biological activity throughout the filter, the modular design allows you to make changes in the various stages at different timeframes, thereby preventing the elimination of all the helpful microorganisms, such as bacteria, which break down the nitrites and ammonia in the water.
The 5-stage filtration process is perhaps the most important; nevertheless, the Fluval C4 features a series of other top traits that puts it at an advantage over other brands. This filter has a very high filtration rate, yielding approximately 264 gallons per hour. This amazing turnover keeps your aquarium crystal clear and free of toxins.
At the same time, this power filter comes fitted with a patented “re-filtration” control system that gives you total control over the water flow. The advantage of such a control system is clear cut, since it allows you to protect the delicate aquatic life that may otherwise be affected by heavy water flow. Whenever the polyfoam needs to be clean, an inbuilt indicator brings this to your attention, without the need to open and check yourself.
3. Penn Plax Cascade Canister Aquarium Filter
The most important thing to know about maintaining an aquarium is to have a stable water level in your aquarium. It is also near impossible to maintain a healthy aquarium without a good water filter. Well as frightening as that last sentence might sound, you need not worry because the Penn Plax Cascade 1000 Aquarium Water Filter has come to your rescue. Before we move on to that, let’s understand what a water filter actually does.
Talking about the Cascade 1000 Aquarium Water Filter, it is a saltwater aquarium filter which is a canister type of water filter and is ideal for big sized aquariums. It filters out mechanical and chemical wastes from aquariums.
The Penn Plax Cascade 1000 Aquarium Filter is a heavy-duty external filtration system that combines modern-day technology and ease-of-use to provide a safe, healthy, and a clean aquarium. The Penn Plax Cascade 1000 Water Filter can be used for aquariums that can hold up to 100 gallons of water.
It can pump up to 265 gallons per hour, including two trays, each of which filters out mechanical and chemical wastes respectively. The tray holder is light and made of plastic which makes it easier to handle. The Cascade 1000 has a motor-head which pumps water to the filter and has 4 locking clamps and an integrated O-ring which ensures a tight and waterproof fit on to the tray holder.
The Cascade 1000 Filter gives you an extreme advantage of delivering crystal clear water in both fresh and marine aquariums through powerful mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration. The fine particulate matter is thrown by the floss pad, while the activated carbon media removes toxins and impurities from the water.
4. AquaClear 20 Power Fish Tank Filter
The Aquaclear 20 Power Filter can deliver such an environment in your fish tank, and it can handle a capacity of up to 20 gallons of water. It’s a great option for a small aquarium. Because of its multi-stage filtration system, the water in your fish tank can be maintained properly and efficiently without requiring manual work from you.
And it’s not so hard to keep the superior quality of water in your aquarium too, as the Aquaclear filter is easy to install. It’s a Hang-Over-the-Back (HOB) type of filter, so it’s quick and easy to set up. Moreover, the filter pump on this model is designed to be energy efficient; so you really don’t need to worry about the operating cost involved.
If you’re looking for an aquarium filter that can provide for mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration, consider the Aquaclear filter as one of your best options. The Aquaclear foam on this unit acts as a sponge in trapping dirt, and this is washable and reusable too.
The activated carbon filter, on the other hand, is useful in treating chemicals such as ammonia and other substances that may be present in the water. This unit is also equipped with a Cycle Guard and patented BioMax technology which allows for the retention of beneficial bacteria in the water for all its inhabitants to thrive well.
Designed with a filtering system that comes in the form of waterfalls, you can set it up to filter up to a hundred gallons of water in an hour. And that is seven times more efficient than other models of aquarium filters. Note, too, that you can customize the intake and flow of water through this device so as to fit your needs and preferences.
This Aquaclear filter can indeed be considered as the best aquarium filter on the market today as its multi-stage filtration system can guarantee trouble-free maintenance of your fish tank. So not only will your aquarium’s water content remain to be clear and clean for long periods of time, but you will actually have a balanced and healthy environment for your fishes.
5. Fluval External Filter
This is one of the best fish tank filters a person can purchase for their fish tank. It is high quality and offers many features in a small package. It can be placed in a saltwater aquarium or a freshwater aquarium depending on your needs or if you decided to switch up the environment later. The filter provides the clearest water the best in fish tanks that are 45 gallons and under, with a pump output of 206 gallons.
This aquarium stands out above the rest because of its clog-proof strainer and dual layer foam screen it provides. The Fluval 206 Filter includes the patented AquaStop technology which provides an airtight seal that remains even after the hoses are disconnected. It also includes 3 basket chambers that have their specific jobs during the filtration process. Since it has multi-tiered baskets, there are fewer maintenance intervals. The 3 year warranty makes this fish tank filter a great investment. You can check out a more in-depth review of the 206.
Fluval also has smaller and larger versions of this external filter:
- Fluval 106 = good for aquariums up to 25 gallons and pump output of 145 galloons
- Fluval 306 = good for aquariums up to 70 gallons and pump output of 303 gallons
- Fluval 406 = good for aquariums up to 100 gallons and pump output of 383 gallons
Conclusion
We hope the information provided will help you make an easy decision on the type of filter you need, as well as the brand you want based on your aquarium size. Aquariums come in all shapes and sizes so be sure to check out the other models of the brands you like to fit your aquarium size perfectly.
