The Best Fish Tank Filters – Comparison & Review Guide

In order to best take care of the fish that you keep and ensure that they live a clean and healthy environment, it is vital that you install and use a filter on your tank. However, knowing which is the best fish tank filters to use can be a difficult task given the range of choice and the different criteria they need to meet depending on what fish you keep and on the type of tank that you keep them in.

This is why we have taken it upon ourselves to conduct a comparison and review of some of the best tank filters that are currently available on the market. In order to narrow these down into a digestible list, we did extensive research and compiled these into a list of Our Top Picks. We have reviewed each of these individually, stated their respective pros and cons, and gave them a star rating out of 5, so that you can clearly see our thoughts on them. In addition to this, we have also provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions as well as made a final recommendation as to which tank filter we think is the best best of all.

It can also be used to filter either saltwater or freshwater, so is truly a universal, one size fits all filter. For better strength and operation whilst it is on, the water filter has two quick release and attachment clamps on it.

Thanks to the individual modules that are used in the filter, it enables you to remove mess from the filter both easily and without causing any mess. As a result of the design of the Fluval 407 Performance Canister Filter, the filter takes very few pumps to get the system functioning and can be used with either freshwater or saltwater. Because of how strong and robust this water filter is, it comes with 5 year warranty, meaning it anything breaks or becomes damaged during that time, the manufacturer will fix or replace it free of charge.

However, all of these helpful features and quality filtering comes at a high price as the Fluval 407 Performance Canister Filter is relatively expensive compared with other tank filters.

When it comes to changing the filter, simply take them out and replace them media with the new ones. In order to get the best out of the Eheim Fltr 2217 Classic Wm it is recommended by the manufacturer that it is given a service every 3 – 6 months. After time, the filter is prone to losing its capacity to spray, so may need fixing or even replacing.

Thanks to how the Sunsun 200 Gallon Aquarium Canister Filter has been designed, it is very easy to set up from getting it out of the box through to installing it onto your tank, no matter what size it is. This is because it comes with various mounting options. As well as this, it includes everything that you need to get the media filter working fully. Because the filter produces UV, this can be harmful to fish when they are exposed to it for long periods.

Included in this kit is a sterilizer (9W UV), which helps to kill of any harmful bacteria and algae spores that may be in the tank water, as well as 4 baskets for media, 1 coarse pad (blue), and 4 filter pads (white). It also includes a single set of bio balls, a pound of ceramic rings, and a pound of high quality filter activated carbon.

Given the speed and quality at which the Sunsun Hw304B 525 Gallons Per Hour Pro Canister Filter Kit cleans water, it is surprisingly really quiet when performing these functions. Additionally, the water filter is also really easy to use and convenient given the fact that it boast a media pump that self primes, meaning there is no need to siphon manually. The water filter can be used in both saltwater and freshwater aquariums.

This means that if any part of the filter breaks or becomes damaged during this time, the manufacturer will fix or replace it free of charge.

Although the Aqua Clear - Fish Tank Filter is really easy to install on your aquarium, when it comes to cleaning it, this can be quiet a difficult task. This is particularly frustrating given that the manufacturer recommends cleaning the filter every 2 weeks in order to prevent damage and to ensure that it runs smoothly. Replacing the filter inserts is recommended between every 2 to 3 months.

With these, your tank benefits from replenishment and filtration properties that the bio spires bring. Another filter that is included in the Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter for Aquariums is one of black diamond activated carbon (chemical filtration) that works to eliminate impurities, discoloration, and odors from the water. This leaves super clean water being put back into your aquarium.

The mechanical filtration mechanism uses foam pads to filter out debris and dirt, such as old food and fish waste. These pads should be cleaned every 3 weeks and replaced every 9 weeks. Despite of all the various filters used, it is still easy to prime the filter and is quiet when switched on and working. The water filter comes with 3 different capacity sizes, including 30 gallons, 55 gallons, and 100 gallons. It can also be used in either saltwater or freshwater aquariums. To allow for spill free and easy maintenance of the Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter for Aquariums the valve block can be quickly released from the housing in order to stop the flow of water.

The self priming button on the top of the canister means that you do not have to self siphon in order to get the system working. Testament to the high quality of this water filter, it comes with a limited warranty that covers a period of 3 years. This means that should any part of the filter breaks or becomes damaged during this time, the manufacturer will fix or replace it free of charge. However, even with all of these benefits, the filter comes in at a fairly reasonable price. The only slight problem with the Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter for Aquariums is that it is not very sturdy.

With each of those reviews completed, it is now time for use to take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions relating to fish tank with filter. In order to best answer these questions we have carried out extensive research, as well as spoke with the industry experts, so that the answer we provide are fully informed and correct.

This all depends on the type of filter that you use. For example, smaller air driven aquarium filters should be placed internally inside of the fish tank. However, these types of aquarium filters for fish tanks are only adequate for small fish tanks with filters. Some other types of filters need to be placed on the bottom of an aquarium, under the layer of gravel. These work by passing water through this gravel in order to create an environment where filtration can occur biologically.

These types of aquarium filters are mainly designed to bring about the process of biological filtration, but some certain models come with filter cartridges filter cartridges that can be replaced. The most common type of filter is the power filter. These are typically hung onto the back of a tank and can be used on various different styles and models of aquarium.

In order to maintain a healthy aquarium, there are 3 different filtration processes that are necessary. These are biological, chemical, and mechanical filtration. The biological filtration process works by converting highly toxic by products that have been produced by the fish in the tank into nutrients that are much less toxic. The process by which the biological elements break down the toxins is identified as the Nitrogen Cycle. During the chemical filtration process unwanted and toxic chemicals are removed from the tank water as it passed through a chemical resin or media.

This works to not only improve the quality of the water being pumped back into the fish tank, but also minimise the need to constant water changes and maintenance on the water filter. The process of mechanically filtering tank water works to remove any particles of matter that are in it. During this process, the tank water is pass through a special material that has been designed to capture particles food, fish waste, and other dirt that has built up.

A filtration system is necessary for any freshwater aquarium. This is because the dense and closed in environment causes the water to quickly become polluted. When deciding on a filtration system to use in your aquarium, the things that your need to consider first, and are the most important, are the needs of the fish that you keep and the tank size of the aquarium. Any of the aquarium filters that made it into the list of Our Top Picks, would be more than adequate for use in a freshwater aquarium.

Other similar filtration systems that did not quite make the grade, but that may be better suited to your fish and aquarium, include the Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters, the Fluval Fx6 Aquarium Canister Filters, the Marineland Emporer Penguin Power Filter, the Aqueon Quiet Flow Internal Filter, the Lee’s 40 / 55 Premium Under gravel Filter, the Tetra Whisper in-Tank Filter, and the Aqua Top CF Series Canister Filters.

With all of the information that we have provided you with, you should now be at a point that you feel like you know which fish tank filters is the right one for your fish and fish tank. As we have made clear throughout this review guide, fish tank aquarium filters are made up of many different parts that all have an impact on how effectively they work. All of these different aspects should be considered when making your decision.

So with this in mind, we have come to our decision as to which one of the above fish tank filters is the best of all. After much deliberation, we came to the final decision that the Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter for Aquariums is our favourite. This is thanks to the fact that is has a completely water tight seal, meaning no dirty water will ever leak out of it; it boasts various stages of filtration (mechanical, chemical, biological, and water polishing) to ensure that the water returning back into the fish tank is super clean and free from all impurities; and despite all of this, is still reasonably priced in spit of all this. Additionally, Marineland are a well known and highly trusted brand in the world of keeping fish. Because of the quality products that they manufacture, the fish tank filter comes with a 3 year limited warranty that protects it from damage. The only one slight negative we found with this fish tank filter was that it is not very sturdy, so this is something to bear in mind before making a purchase.