Before I became a “sane cat lady” I was a longtme aquarium enthusiast. We’ll now look at the best aquarium filters. Freshwater fishkeeping is something I’ve always been drawn to – the magic and serenity of watching fish drift along peacefully was the most pure form of enjoyment. When I set up my first real aquarium in the halcyon days of 2009, there was so much to learn about, I had to have a pump, gravel, and airstone, and of course a good filtration system.
I was recommended a good one at a pet store where I was known on a first name basis. Good times. But how that affects you, is if you are into this hobby i you need to get familiar with filters. The right kind of filter will keep the water in your fish tank sparkling clear. A pump keeps the water from being stagnant but he filter keeps it clean , so they have to work together.
The Best Filters at a Glance
Here are the top three filters listed, if you’re in a hurry or just curious.
 | Tetra Whisper Power Filter, 20-60 gal options | ||
 | Tetra Internal Power Filter, Sizes 5-40 gal | ||
 | Aquaclear Power Filter with Multiple Media Options |
What Qualifies Me On Choosing Filters?
My late husband, who had aspirations to become a marine biologist, shared in my hobby. We had good times picking out fish and even naming them. And of course, there was always the usual round of maintenance, and checking to make sure that everything was working as it should. If I did things right from the get go, doing bi-weekly water changes, along with the carbon filled cartridge in the filter, was all I needed to worry about.
You may also be a longtime hobbyist who has already got a nice tank well stocked but you are looking to upgrade to a new or better filter. That’s great, I’ve got you covered too!
#1 Tetra Whisper
I’m a big fan of the Tetra line,a brand I’ve stuck with it for quite awhile. This is the filter I have had for about 5 years now. It is fairly easy to put together – on the left side compartment is a plastic frame for which you’ll insert the filter cartridge, plus a scrubber. I had trouble at first determining where the scrubber goes., front of cartridge or behind. But other than that they assemble great. One the right is the intake/uptake tube. There is a dial at the to that you can adjust to control the water flow – sometimes it gets too vigorous for my liking and I’ll bump it down a notch.
It’s important to know the move it in the right direction, though, as one time, I must have freaked out when the mechanism in the bottom wasn’t spinning as it usually does, and I realized I’d turned the dial the wrong way. Also some algae had gotten in there and it needed a deep cleaning. Fun, fun. I’ve had algae problems in the past and that stuff is a beast to contend with. I’ve had to clean out the tubes. You can take them apart and use a bottle brush to get in there.
Be sure you don’;t let tank water get too low or it could run dry.Found that out the hard way one time when my husband called me in to check on the filter because it was making a weird noise. Sure enough , it was running low on enough water to properly flow in and out, so I replenished it with a gallon and it started back to normal again. This is caused when water evaporates naturally in the tank.
Overall, it’s a great filter and recommend it. The outer packaging may look different from what you see above, as I’ve had this for at least 5 years.
Oh, and don’t forget, when it comes time to change out the filter sponges, be sure to choose the Large size . The Medium sized are for the smaller tanks 10 gallons or less.
Pros: Works reliably, easy to change cartridges, parts can be dissambled for cleaning
Cons: Top dial is a little tricky to work
#2 Tetra Whisper Internal Power Filter
For those of you seeking a semi-immersible filter that will not let you down, look no further than this one by Tetra. I got the 10 gallon size when I first got started and I can tell you it does live up to the “whisper” part of it- I never hear a thing. Unless the water starts to get low due to normal evaporation I might hear a little more of the tinkle sound, which reminds me to top off the tank, so that’s good. They come in different sizes so whether you have a micro tank of up to 40 gallon tank you will find a good fit. The larger ones over 10 gallons have a hook on the back as well as a suction cup for added stability.
As a point to mention I know of people who have larger tanks, and bought two smaller filters (say, 2 of the 10 gal size) and placed them at opposite ends of the tank…this is a good idea too and could improve the distribution channels only caveat as I see it is you will have to buy and change more filter cartridges.
The filter media is the cartridge, just like the in-tank on back style, and a few come with a hidden “bio-scrubber” which is plastic/silicone with bristle tips that catch more of the loose particles of debris. The smallest size, which I believe is 4 gallon, has a different design of cartridge, it looks like a sponge with ridges in it. This would be good for betta tanks and small 5 and under nanos.
It also has an inverted clip. I had a little trouble with it at first, but did get the hang of it. The smallest size will cycle at 6 gallons per hour, at a stated 27 gph (gallons per hour) rate.
All the different size models run at a only one flow rate, so they cannot be adjusted. The height on them can be adjusted somewhat.
When doing periodic cleaning, you can remove the bottom compartment without disturbing the impeller. it will maintain its function. If you are concerned about very small fish getting trapped in the intake vent at the bottom, the best strategy is to cut a nylon stocking toe and cover and secure the bottom with a ponytail band. It will control the flow rate slightly and discourage fish fatalities from getting stuck.
Pros:
-
- Reliable
Quiet operation
Can adjust and change media - Different sizes available
- Reliable
Cons:
- Cannot adjust flow rate
Be careful not to let tiny fish get sucked into the intake vent at bottom.
Some people said the tank rim did not fit easily.
#3 Aquaclear Power Filter with Multiple Media Options
This would have to be the best choice in filters if you happen to have a larger tank (>50 gallons) It has a highly versatile filtration system that employs a triple threat: biological, mechanical and carbon. The beauty of the design is the triple layers of filtration media: the bottom consists of a perma-sponge, the middle layer an activated carbon cartridge, and on top a cluster of “Bio-Max” ceramic rings to preserve the integrity of the bacterial colony. Not only is this a unique system exclusive to this model, it’s special in that it helps to maintain the pre-existing “good” bacterial reserves, so you don’t lose that natural advantage when changing the media. As you know, good bacteria helps to fight the bad, and the nitrates , nitrates, and ammonia present in fish waste, setting you up to have the purest and well-balanced water quality possible.
It is important to not change all of the 3 different media at one session – why? Simple, what causes more fish fatalities than overfeeding or dirty water? That’s right, stress, like that brought on by abrupt water changes, which disrupt the bio-colony and make fish more vulnerable. The sponge can be changed every 3 months, but a good rinse (no soap, please) will help clear out eh debris accumulated. The middle carbon sachet should be changed every 2 weeks. However you are not limited to using all of these at the same time – some people have done well in using 2 of these, or doubling up on the biomax rings. So you don’t have to get locked into only using proprietary products.
Then there’s the refiltration feature – as you know some fish are more delicate than others Some may become stressed when moving against a fast-moving current. The dial atop the intake tube on the left can be adjusted to get just the right flow rate for whatever types of fish you are keeping. To the right for less vigorous and the left for more. Knowing you can do this in the case of, such as feeding them, can keep less of it from getting sucked out. The extension tube also includes an extra extender piece that will provide more coverage in those “squarish” tanks that are taller than they are wide.
If you have very tiny fish, it would be a good idea to apply some netting to the bottom of the intake tube – accidents do happen.
A leveling device goes on the bottom of the compartment – this will assist in balancing out the filter.
And for every size tank, there is a size to fit – it is available in 20 gallons all the way up to 110. We recommend you choose a size “up” for best function, say, 30 gal for a 20 gal tank.
The sizing part of this is tricky, on the sales page they are listed as “5 gallons up to 20” and “10 gallons up to 30”, which seems odd…which is why I included this chart to gauge them more easily.
Pros:
- Versatile filter media system
- Comes in a wide range of sizes
- Adjustable flow rate dial
- Included extension tube for taller/deeper tanks
Cons:
- Having to change multiple media could be costly or inconvenient at times
- A few people thought the leveling device wasn’t useful
Advice and Guidance for Buyers on Aquarium Filters
Filtration in your fish tank can be biological, chemical, or mechanical. Biological means, like live plants, can be a good idea, but it may take extensive knowledge to get the right mix. Mechanical means, like ones that are mounted into tanks, are mainly hands -off most of the time, and can be much more reliable than plants alone.
Depending on how far along you are in the fishkeeping hobby (I’ll assume at the beginner to intermediate stage, if you’re researching this topic) you may be concerned with the different types of fitters available, I’ll go over the important in’s and outs of filters and what to look for, what to be careful of, and what to expect. There are several types of filters. These are the most popular used :
The Hang on Back Style
This is my favorite, and the one I used for the longest time with my 20-gallon. Hang on back are exactly as the name implies, they are compartmentalized with the filter media cartridge located in the back, there is an uptake/intake tube that mounts in the front. As water goes through the tube it is run through he media are recirculated back out again, you may notice that it has a mini-waterfall look to it from the front view.
I like them as I can customize the filter media to my liking easily and they are fairly easy to maintain. (I have, however, havd to give mine a deep cleaning once with a bottle brush and a little elbow grease. Algae buildup-story for another time. The one thing I have to be mindful of, is that you may have to watch that they don’t end up running dry as water evaporates naturally from your tank (especially during the warm seasons.) I always make sure to top off my tank to prevent this with a half gallon of dechlorinated water.
You may also need to periodically clean the intake tube and sometimes the impeller as well; I use a bottle brush to get into these tight spaces.
Internal Filters
This is me second favorite style, I have two of them, one was for my 10 gallon, and another small one for a betta habitat. They are almost completely submerged save for the part that is next to the inlet. Like the handing back style, they have a space to put your filter media and change it out as needed. They usually attach to your tank with a rimmed edge and/or suction cups. Two negatives to keep in mind, though:
They are better suited for smaller tanks as the energy output is lower since they are more compact, and second, you may have to watch out if you have teeny tiny fish (neon tetras come to mind…) as they could get sucked up into t eh screen gaps at the bottom (as me how I know.) I ended up having to use cheesecloth and a rubber band to fill in the gaps without cutting the flow off altogether, to prevent any more losses.
Canister Filters
Canister filters look just like or shaped like canisters, unlike the internal and hanging, they are not submerged. They are mounted outside the tank, under it, all of the filter media is carefully concealed. Some of them will accommodate other beneficial tasks like priming and sanitizing. There are hoses or nozzles that feed through the tank, they circulate and filter normally. They are well received by hobbyists but the caveats are: they cost more, they are hard to have serviced, and because all the media is closed up, you may have a lot of legwork ahead in changing the contents and replacing them periodically.
Choosing Cartridges and Other Media
Aquarium filters work with internal tools -the most common is the cartridges. they are filled with small carbon pellets that do the job of keeping the water clean and clear. Depending on which filter you purchase, you may have to also choose the “proprietary” (or brand specific) cartridge that will fit into t he filter compartment. there are some brands that may work interchangeably. Every two weeks is a good time to change the cartridge and replace with a new one.
Whenever you get out a new one, be sure to give it a good rinse as some of the carbon dust may be remaining on it. It is a good idea to make sure you have a refill pack on hand with at least 3-4 new carbon cartridges. Sometimes you can save money if you do like I did and get the “unassembled” cartridges – these kits have the cartridges sleeves and packages of carbon beads separate.Make sure you don’t accidentally toss out the plastic frame that comes with your original cartridge, as you’ll need to insert it so it keeps its shape. Also don’t forget the small clip that goes on the top to hold the sachet bag securely.
Closing Thoughts…
Did you find this article helpful or enlightening on the topic of choosing a good aquarium filter? If so, that’s great, but feel free to leave a comment below if you need clarification on anything. Fishkeeping is a rewarding hobby and choosing the right filter is only one part of the equation, albeit an important one.
